O'Neill family's 130-year-old 23,000 acre of land remain devoted to Cowboy ranching.

Friends and Family gather for annual cattle roundup. Hidden in Orange County just five miles off busy Interstate 5 at Rancho Mission Viejo, one of California's largest operating cattle ranches located minutes from Ladera Ranch.

Cowboys enjoy lassoing and wow the crowd

Cowboys lassoing, cattle roaming, live creeks, citrus and avocado orchards as far as the eye can see. This must be no other than the famous 136 year old O'Neill Ranch located in Rancho Mission Viejo. We were very fortunate to get a sneak peak into the very private ranch for the annual roundup. The event is held on certain years and can only be accessed through private gates located off the Ortega Highway. The drive into the O'Neill Ranch had us feeling like we were in another state. I thought I had explored every part of Orange County in my 37 years living here, and this the crown jewel of it all.

23,000 acres remain to be undeveloped that runs from the Hills off the Ortega Highway just a few miles from the interstate 5 to the Cliffs of San Onofre near the San Diego boarder. The land sits much like it would have 100 years ago, oak trees growing wild, some even struck by lighting adding character to the forest of them we saw.

The O'Neil's welcomed our family into one of the greatest days we have enjoyed in Orange County and gave us a chance to experience the cowboy life which we will embrace forever. The cowboy ethics and code are something that I hold very dearly being that my own two core values are fairness and trust. Cowboys have great values and sayings such as "everything is NOT for sale" I fell it love with that saying after reading it in cowboy book many years ago and quickly thought of Mr. Tony Moiso, the O'Neill family legacy and their impact on Orange County. They remind us of a time Orange County was not just known as the OC but a cowboy town to cherish. Our gratitude goes out to all of them for hosting this event and the public annual round up which is located in San Juan Capistrano each year. It has helped introduce so many to the cowboy culture and keep the spirit alive in those that witnessed the golden ages of orange counties cowboys days.

by Ladera Ranch Home Loans