Garden Grove tourist information
Located in Orange County, California, the City of Garden Grove (17.8 sq.miles) is home to over 169,000 residents and is a friendly, spirited and balanced community rich in diversity -- a city with a view to the future. Incorporated June 18, 1956, the City is celebrating 46 years of cityhood this year and 128 years since the founding of Garden Grove in 1874 by Dr. Alonzo Cook. The city motto is "City of Youth and Ambition." The city flower is the Orange Tropicana Rose and the city tree is Flame Coral.
Garden Grove is located 2 miles south of Disneyland, 7 miles southeast of Knott's Berry Farm, 9 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and 25 miles south of Los Angeles.
Founded in 1874 by Dr. Alonzo Cook, Garden Grove marks its 128th anniversary in 2002. It began as a vision, as a settlement for families to live and thrive. Cook’s vision of creating a "garden grove community" in the midst of grassy fields became the settlers mission then, and has evolved to become our philosophy today...to help improve the quality of life for Garden Grove residents - making it the very best it can be.
For the first 80 years, early settlers of Garden Grove pulled together to build a community from pastureland. Homes, schools, churches and businesses were built. By the early 1900’s, Garden Grove was a thriving farming community, with a major railroad, a Post Office, and a bank. After two natural disasters struck in the early 1900’s - a major flood in 1916 and an earthquake in 1933 - Garden Grove residents pulled together again to rebuild their town. By 1940, Garden Grove’s population was estimated at 5,500 people.
A post-World War II real estate boom marked the beginning of the largest growth cycle in the City’s history. Many soldiers stationed in Orange County during the war returned to settle and raise families in Garden Grove. By 1956, the year of the City’s incorporation, the population had exploded to 41,238, with approximately 1,400 people moving into the area each month. In the late 1950’s, Garden Grove was named the fastest growing city in America. It was a mecca for young families to settle, with new homes selling for an average of $7,000 each.
Today, Garden Grove is the fourth largest city in Orange County with more than 169,000 residents. A drive through town reveals the large parks, thriving businesses, both established neighborhoods and new housing developments, and a wonderful cultural diversity, yet cohesive population. The City is also showing signs of a Renaissance in many areas. For example, seven new hotels, a 16-screen multiplex theater, and a new Higher Education Center are just some of the projects currently underway.
The City’s biggest claim to fame is its annual Strawberry Festival, which debuted in 1958. The Strawberry Festival is the second largest community sponsored event in the western U.S., second only to the Rose Parade. The festival features a star-studded parade and the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. The event’s most famous Grand Marshal, Bobby Kennedy, presided over the parade in 1964. Since 1958, more than $4,000,000 in proceeds from the events are donated to local charities serving Garden Grove residents.
In 1998, the Garden Grove Community Foundation was founded to showcase and promote Garden Grove regionally. The Foundation’s promotional program, called "Renaissance Garden Grove," features a free summer concert series, an educational speakers series, and several special events throughout the year.
After 128 years, Garden Grove has grown to become a dynamic and thriving city with a strong sense of community and colorful history. Desire for improvement and the ability to make changes were the strengths of Garden Grove’s past and now they represent the building blocks for the future. Garden Grove is truly a Renaissance City and a great place to live, learn and play. Come See Us Now!!!
by City of Garden Grove California
Garden Grove aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Garden Grove aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Garden Grove.
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