 Brea began in the 1890´s, when Mr. Abel Stearns sold almost 1,300 acres of land on the edge of then "Olinda Village" to the Union Oil Company. The village of Randolph was built just west of Olinda in 1908 to provide housing for the families of oil workers. Its name was changed to Brea, A Spanish word meaning "tar", in 1911. By 1916 there were several hundred residents in the make-shift town, and it became Orange County´s 8th incorporated city the following year.
Brea combines a diversity of housing styles. From charming neighborhoods dating back to the 1920´s, to  modern-day single-family developments, apartment communities, condos, townhouses and even mobilehome parks. There´s also many housing options for senior citizens, which include 7 different planned communities for 55+ affordable living in style!
Currently plans are in motion for a new sports park, as well as a school site along the north eastern side of the city. The developmental concepts intended will honor the past through the preservation of historically relevant resources, all the while encouraging efficient infrastructures and improved buildings to handle expanding population needs.
The city of Brea is devoted to responsible growth. Brea is bordered by a natural wildlife corridor that provides a rare scenic break amongst the areas urban sprawl.
Brea offers many recreational activity areas which include three regional parks (and numerous smaller  neighborhood parks and playing fields), a community pool and three public golf courses. Scouting, Soccer, Softball, Little League, and Pop Warner Football leagues are all popular activities for the local children and their proud parents. Brea even offers a Boys and Girl Club which provides after school child care and additional recreation programs, such as summer camps. The Community Center includes a fitness complex, Family Resource Center, Youth Activity Group Sessions and Meeting/Banquet rooms. For those of you who may be 55+, the Senior Center is a wonderful gathering place that provides activities and meals.
 Currently Brea covers 10 square miles and provides a home for approximately 38,000 residents. Just recently, a multi-million dollar expansion project was completed at the Brea Mall bringing in over 100,000 people to the city each day. The popular area known as "Birch Street" provides a variety of activities as well as interesting sites and great food. Whether you´re looking to shop, site see, or make a home, Brea is the place to go.
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