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Real Estate & Homes in Brea - Brea Information
Brea
Brea History
Brea has become the successful, pleasant community of today by way of oil. "Black gold" was first discovered in Brea's hills by Union Oil Company in the mid-1890s. In the years that followed, first residents, then businesses, came to Brea looking for opportunity. The hillsides would continue to provide oil until the 1940s. Union Oil purchased 1,200 acres of land from a prominent Southern California investor named Abel Stearns. The company wasted no time in drilling oil wells and earning a return on its investment. Union's land was located next to a small village called Olinda. Olinda would eventually fade away, and the land where it stood would be designated for a park site in 1965.
On the west side of Olinda, Union Oil built a community called Randolph for the oil workers. When small businesses arrived in the early-1900s to serve the needs of these residents, a town was born. In 1911, Randolph's name was changed to Brea, the Spanish word for 'tar.' Six years later, Brea was incorporated with a population of about 750. In the last years of the oil boom, Brea began to attract more businesses and new housing developments. After State Route 57 was constructed in the 1970s, the region became even more popular; commercial enterprises appreciated Brea's central Southern California location.
About Brea
The Brea of today has completely transitioned out of its dependence on oil to become a well-rounded, upscale community. Industrial buildings, retail centers, and residential neighborhoods are situated on rolling hills and bordered by an expanse of undeveloped land. The grassy hillsides surrounding Brea definitely set the community apart from other, more crowded Southern California cities. For the most part, the industrial activity in Brea is concentrated in certain locations, allowing residential neighborhoods to maintain a relaxing, suburban atmosphere. The city receives solid revenues from its strong retail presence and uses these revenues to provide a full range of services to its residents. Housing options range from two-bedroom condominiums to million-dollar homes overlooking the city. While many of Brea's homes were built in the 1970s and 1980s, there are new subdivisions still going up. Housing values are generally strong, and the community continues to grow without losing its family-oriented atmosphere.
Activities
Brea's central location allows residents to take advantage of Southern California's many attractions and recreational activities. Disneyland is 12 miles south, California's coastline is about 25 miles south, and the museums of Los Angeles are about 35 miles east. Because State Routes 57 and 90 are so accessible, Brea residents can easily reach destinations throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. For those who like to stay local, Brea has a nice selection of activities available. The city manages aquatics and athletics programs, plus a community center, "teen zone," fitness complex, sports leagues, parks and community events. There are more than 10 public park sites, covering more than 345 acres of land. The largest sites are the county-operated regional sites, 129-acre Ted Craig Regional Park and 131-acre Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Both are popular for family events and picnics.
Artistic performances are available at Brea's own Curtis Theatre, a 199-seat venue that hosts live comedy and drama. The theatre was one of the outcomes of the rebuilding of Brea's civic center in the 1970s. Then-Mayor Wayne Wedin asked Brea residents for input on the services that should be designed into the new facility. The rebuilt civic center, along with the Curtis Theatre, is known as Brea's Civic and Cultural Center. Brea has two public golf courses: Birch Hills and the Brea Municipal Course. Birch Hills has 18 holes, while the municipal course has nine.
Shopping is available at the Brea Mall, the Birch Street downtown area, and at outdoor, neighborhood centers around the city. The Brea Mall is one of the premier shopping malls in the region and draws in many visitors; the complex is situated just off of State Route 57 and features five anchor stores, more than 175 smaller shops and a day spa. The streets surrounding the mall have additional stores and restaurants as well. The section of town known as Birch Street is Brea's own pedestrian promenade. Dining, shopping and entertainment are available here, and Birch Street is a popular venue day and night.
Schools
Public education in Brea is provided by the Brea-Olinda Unified School District. The district manages nine campuses, all of which are within Brea city limits. About 6,100 students attend five elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one alternative high school. The district has an excellent reputation for both academics and athletics; Brea's students consistently score above the 90th percentile on state and national standardized tests. As well, Brea-Olinda High School is a designated national Blue Ribbon school. Regarding athletics, many of the district's teams qualify for CIF playoffs every year. Private institutions also offer kindergarten, elementary, and high school programs. There is one private college in Brea (the Golden Gate Baptist Seminary) and several other options within driving distance. Fullerton College, Mt. San Antonio College, Bethesda Christian University, and Biola University are all within 10 miles.
Brea Fast Facts
Location: Brea is located in northern Orange County, south of Rowland Heights and north of Fullerton. State Route 57 (the Orange Freeway) and State Route 90 (Imperial Highway) run through Brea, providing easy access to neighboring counties.
Total area*: 10.5 square miles
Population*: 35,410
Housing units*: 13,327
Average annual rainfall: 13.5 inches
Average temperatures: summer, 74; winter, 58
*Information provided by 2000 Census
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