Brea, California

Brea, California is a city located in Orange County, California, situated near Los Angeles County, California, and is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to several notable attractions, including the Brea Mall, Brea Downtown, and the Brea Museum and Historical Society. Brea is also close to several major cities, including Anaheim, California, Fullerton, California, and Santa Ana, California, and is near the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Ana Mountains. The city is served by the Brea-Olinda Unified School District and is near the California State University, Fullerton and the University of California, Irvine.

Geography

Brea is situated in the northern part of Orange County, California, near the San Gabriel River and the Santa Ana River. The city is bordered by Fullerton, California to the west, La Habra, California to the northwest, Rowland Heights, California to the north, and Yorba Linda, California to the east. Brea is also near the Chino Hills State Park and the Carbon Canyon Regional Park, which offer opportunities for hiking and outdoor recreation. The city is served by the Orange County Transportation Authority and is near the Interstate 57 and the State Route 90.

History

The area that is now Brea was originally inhabited by the Tongva people and was later settled by Spanish colonists, who established the Rancho Cañón de Santa Ana. The city was founded in 1917 and was named after the Scottish word for "oil" or "tar", due to the presence of oil fields in the area. Brea was incorporated as a city in 1917 and has since grown into a thriving community, with a strong economy and a rich cultural scene. The city is home to several historic landmarks, including the Brea Museum and Historical Society and the Olinda Oil Museum and Trail, which showcase the city's history and heritage. Brea is also near the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and the Huntington Beach Pier.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Brea was approximately 43,000 people, with a diverse range of ages, ethnicities, and incomes. The city has a strong sense of community, with several neighborhood associations and community organizations, including the Brea Community Foundation and the Brea Rotary Club. Brea is also home to several cultural attractions, including the Brea Gallery and the Curtis Theatre, which host a variety of performances and exhibitions throughout the year. The city is near the Disneyland Resort and the Knott's Berry Farm theme park, and is also close to the Honda Center and the Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Economy

The economy of Brea is diverse and thriving, with a strong presence of industries such as technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. The city is home to several major employers, including Bank of America, St. Jude Medical, and Beckman Coulter, and is also near the John Wayne Airport and the Long Beach Airport. Brea is also a popular tourist destination, with several hotels and restaurants, including the Brea Embassy Suites and the Brea Marriott. The city is near the South Coast Plaza and the Irvine Spectrum Center, and is also close to the Newport Beach and the Huntington Beach.

Government

The city of Brea is governed by a city council-city manager form of government, with a mayor and four council members elected by the residents. The city is also part of the Orange County government, and is represented by several elected officials, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the California State Legislature. Brea is also near the Los Angeles City Hall and the Santa Ana City Hall, and is part of the California Congressional Districts, including the 39th congressional district and the 45th congressional district.

Education

The city of Brea is served by the Brea-Olinda Unified School District, which operates several schools in the area, including Brea Olinda High School and Brea Canyon High School. The city is also near several higher education institutions, including the California State University, Fullerton, the University of California, Irvine, and the Fullerton College. Brea is also home to several private schools, including the Brea Congregational Church and the St. Angela Merici Parish School. The city is near the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, and is also close to the California Institute of Technology and the Chapman University.