Danvers Dr, Garden Grove

I’m always amazed at the hidden neighborhood gems we find when we turn off the busy Orange County freeways in places we’ve never visited before. This one, called Green Valley, is located just off the 22 freeway near the 405 freeway, and we would have never known about it until we were invited to a graduation party given by our friends for their daughter.

I was a little concerned because our GPS route was taking us very near a massive industrial park, but the neighborhoods were well secluded by attractive concrete walls.

As we neared the entrance of the community, it appeared as a small oasis of newer family homes surrounded by some older tracts. The community was bustling with families and small children making their way to one of four playgrounds or one of the three pools.

How nice it must be located within a couple of blocks of a highly regarded high school (Pacifica) and elementary school (Enders) that will be attended by their 3 young children.

The graduation party was at the clubhouse which was big enough to host the 80 guests who showed. Our hosts timed the party so that we would all be treated to a display of the Disneyland fireworks that light up each summer night.

Our friends invited us back for one of the free summer concerts that are held in Eastgate Park which we had to decline. But I know will be back for a day of family fun right there in the Green Valley community.