Tree-lined streets, 1880s storefronts and a Michelin-recognized Yucatán kitchen, all within a few walkable blocks. Here's what it's really like to live in Old Town Tustin.
I grew up just up the street from Old Town, and it's still one of my favorite places in Orange County to spend a Saturday morning.
Old Town sits at the heart of the 92780 zip code, centered on Main Street and El Camino Real. It has the character of a small historic town, with easy access to everything modern Orange County offers.
If you're thinking about buying a home here, here's what makes the neighborhood special.
1. A Little History
Old Town is where Tustin began.
In 1868, Columbus Tustin and a business partner bought about 1,300 acres of former Spanish land grant property. The small town that grew up around Main Street and El Camino Real became the commercial center for the surrounding orange groves and ranches.
By the 1880s, Main Street had a blacksmith shop, a grocery and meat market, a feed store, churches and schools. Tustin officially incorporated in 1927.
Today, many of those early buildings still stand. The Tustin Area Museum at 395 El Camino Real tells the story, with exhibits on early businesses, churches and the city's first fire truck.
2. Architectural Character
Walk a few blocks off Main Street and you'll see more than a century of California architecture side by side.
Old Town's historic homes and buildings include:
Queen Anne and Eastlake Victorians, like the Stevens House and Vance House, both built in 1887
Victorian cottages, such as the 1888 Leinburger House
California Craftsman bungalows, like the Leihy House from around 1915
Spanish Colonial Revival and Monterey styles, including the 1928 Pankey Residence and its 18-inch walls
Italianate, Greek Revival and Italian Romanesque commercial and civic buildings
One of the best-known landmarks is Tustin Presbyterian Church. The congregation was organized in 1882, and the current Spanish-style building dates to 1928.
To protect this character, the City Council created the Cultural Resources District in 1988 at the urging of Old Town residents. Citywide, Tustin's historic surveys include about 330 homes and businesses.
The city's self-guided sidewalk tour covers just over two miles and is a great way to see the highlights.
3. Antique Finds, Vintage and Boutiques
Old Town Tustin isn't a wall-to-wall antique row like Old Towne Orange next door. Its charm is a mix of vintage finds and one-of-a-kind local shops.
A few favorites around Main Street and El Camino Real:
The Vintage Flea Market of Old Town Tustin at Jamestown Village, with collectibles, antiques, old books and vintage kitchenware
Assistance League Thrift Shop for secondhand treasures that support local charities
Rasta-Cowboy Records for vinyl lovers
Arvida Book Co., an independent bookstore
Spice & Tulips for spice blends, soaps and home decor
Phyllisophical for European women's clothing and accessories
Morning Lavender Boutique & Cafe, part boutique, part tea room
And if you want a full day of antiquing, Old Towne Orange's circle is only about a 10-minute drive away.
4. The Dining Scene
For a small district, Old Town has a big food scene, most of it along El Camino Real.
Chaak Kitchen: Chef Gabbi Patrick's Yucatán-inspired restaurant, known for its cochinita pibil, earned its sixth straight Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026
Kitajima Sushi & Thai: sushi rolls and Thai favorites under one roof
The Black Marlin: a longtime local spot for seafood and cocktails
Centro Storico Spaghetteria & Cafe: casual Italian
Oliboli Donuts: made-to-order donuts just off El Camino on First Street
Bardot Coffee Roasters and Hola Adios Coffeeshop: for your morning coffee walk
Most of these are a short stroll from the surrounding residential streets, which is a big part of Old Town's appeal. Leave the car at home, walk to dinner, and walk back.
5. Community Events
Old Town is where Tustin comes together. A few highlights on the calendar:
Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off: held the first Sunday in June on the streets of Old Town. The 43rd annual event is set for June 6, 2027, with chili tastings, live music, craft booths and a kids' zone. It's billed as the largest one-day chili cook-off in the country.
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll: this year on Friday, December 4, at El Camino Real and 3rd Street, with music, the Dreamers Market and a toy drive.
Concerts in the Park: Wednesday evenings in June and July at Peppertree Park, just steps from Old Town.
Tustin Tiller Days: the city's long-running fall festival and parade.
These events are a big reason neighbors here actually know each other.
6. Modern Perks
Old Town feels like a small town, but it's right in the middle of Orange County.
Commute: quick access to the I-5 and SR-55, with the Tustin Metrolink station nearby
Air travel: John Wayne Airport is a short drive away
Schools: most of Old Town is served by Tustin Unified School District. Always confirm the assigned schools for a specific address.
Parks: Peppertree Park sits just off Old Town, and Peters Canyon Regional Park is a short drive away
Shopping: big-box errands at The District at Tustin Legacy and the Tustin Market Place are minutes away
You get the porch-and-sidewalk lifestyle without giving up convenience.
7. What to Know Before Buying a Historic Home
Owning a piece of Tustin history is special, and it comes with a few things to understand up front.
Exterior changes need extra review. Inside the Cultural Resources District, exterior work that needs a building permit also requires a Certificate of Appropriateness, so changes fit the home's historic character.
There may be a tax benefit. Qualifying historic homes may be eligible for a Mills Act contract, which can lower property taxes in exchange for a 10-year commitment to preserve the home.
Older homes need a closer look. Plan for inspections of the foundation, sewer line, electrical and plumbing.
Celebrate it. Tustin offers a voluntary bronze plaque program for homes on its historic surveys, showing the property's name and construction date.
Not every home in Old Town is historic, and you'll also find newer townhomes and remodeled homes nearby. That mix gives buyers more options.
Final Thoughts
Old Town Tustin is one of the few places in Orange County where you can live in a 100-year-old home, walk to a Michelin-recognized dinner, and still be on the freeway in minutes.
If you're dreaming of a Victorian, a Craftsman bungalow or just a home within walking distance of El Camino Real, I'd love to show you around the neighborhood I grew up in.
Reach me at greg@theodellgroup.com or 949.792.6020.
