THE HISTORY OF COTO DE CAZA...

Many things have been asked about Coto de Caza over the 33 years of its development. One thing for sure is that Coto has had a unique history.  Today the valley holds just under 4,000 homes and a population of about 14,000. Looking back on how it came to be and what it is today is fascinating.  Let's start from the beginning.  

This ranch was originally owned by the Bryant family.  Cattle and barley provided the income to the family.  In 1964 Macco acquired that ranch and renamed it Bonnie Valley .  Macco also acquired title to the 10,000 acre Starr Ranch which adjoined Bonnie Valley .

Macco was a story in itself.  From once being a small Orange County pipeline construction company, in the 1960's Macco became a giant real estate developer.  Great Southwest Corporation was a subsidiary of Pennco, the non-railroad division of the Penn Central Railroad.  Macco was acquired by Pennco in 1966 and merged into Great Southwest in 1969.  By 1970 Macco had owned many of the major ranches in California and much of Capistrano Valley in Orange County .

Macco's grand plan in 1969 for Bonnie & Starr was a 15,000 acre recreational and resort community.  Macco changed the name of the ranch to Coto de Caza (which can be translated as "preserve of the hunt") and formed a syndicated limited partnership of 400 investors in 1969 for Coto (Saddleback Investment Co.). Each investor received one lot in the first new Tract 6970 (now The Village). Club de Caza, a California Corporation, was established.  Club de Caza leased certain hunting areas, equestrian facilities and private social club facilities which were completed or under construction from a Macco subsidiary. Some notables such as John Wayne, William Shatner, James Drury and James Darren belonged to the private club and frequently visited Coto. Huntmaster Bob Sanchez managed the south ranch hunt lodge and activities. Then the bankruptcy of the Penn Central in 1970 put a halt to Great Southwest & Macco's plans.

In 1971 Great Southwest management changed.  A new team headed by Victor Palmieri and Bruce Juell took over.  There were many obstacles for Great Southwest to overcome in 1971 to avert a bankruptcy.  Properties and businesses in California and other states had to be liquidated.  Many bank claims had to be settled. The Starr Ranch had to be returned by default to the Starr Foundation.  After much hard work, by 1973 the task had been completed. The Saddleback Syndicate was dissolved and 198 lots were returned to the company.  GSC Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Great Southwest Corp., took over Coto and Coto de Caza Development Corp. was formed to continue the project. 

Nelson Rising, a real estate attorney, joined Great Southwest in 1973.  Coto de Caza Realty was formed and a staff was selected to begin the sale of the Tract 6970 lots.  Lee Ann Berg, Jan Hartfield, and Iva Young started things rolling.  Robert Wilhelm was appointed Coto's new General Manager.  Sales in 1974, lot prices ranged from $5,000 to $16,000.  Sales began slowly.

Coto de Caza Community Association and the CC&R's we reinstated and new Architectural Guidelines were created.  The vision was that small homes on these lots would be developed as second or vacation use and should be in the contemporary or ranch style. In 1975, Peter Tonti, a general contractor, set up his offices in two trailers adjacent to the newly constructed condominiums .  Peter arranged for the financing of three homes to be constructed on Via Alondra. Also, he contracted with other lot owners to build their homes.  Construction began in March 1975. The first homes were completed one year later.  Peter was the first to occupy a home in Coto. A new community was up and running.

Club De Caza tennis facilities were improved by Vic Braden in 1974.  Vic created his Vic Braden Tennis College teaching facility at Coto.  Vic, a psychologist and one of the leading tennis instructors in the country, had worked with professional and amateur tennis players for many years.  His facility added a new dimension to Coto. Club de Caza from 1978-1980 provided the members, community and visitors with a source of recreation as well as a good restaurant.  In the 1970's Chef Frank Gimbrone and his wife, Rose was the mainstays.  The restaurant won a five star rating at one time.  Tom Scott came from Hilton Head Resort to manage the club and equestrian center.  A small general store was established near the equestrian lodge. Horse shows, October Fests, Chili Cookoffs, Easter, Fourth of July, and Yule Log Ceremony events were undertaken.  The Rotary Club at Coto was established with regular meetings in the clubhouse.  Ginny Campbell handled club memberships and communications.

The next major real estate development, Los Ranchos Estates in the north ranch, consisted of 75 estate size (2+ acres) horse ranch properties priced from $150,000. In July 1978 sales began with a drawing and all lots were taken.  The real estate market turned down in December 1978 and nearly all of the lot reservations were cancelled.  Sales continued and in 1979 Bill and Signe Radovich began the first estate home.  A Master Community Association was formed for the new tracts which were being prepared for sale.  This was the beginning of a build out that would continue for another twenty years.

Early residents will remember that annually the open spaces were planted in barley. This gave the ranch a beautiful appearance.  After the harvest, a sheepherder would bring his flock in to graze.

Bob Sanchez managed a hunting area in the south ranch area.  Bob operated a licensed pheasant club, skeet and trap range, rifle and pistol target ranges, and drew hunters and gun clubs from many parts of California . Dog kennels were constructed and game birds were imported. Bob was noted for his excellent barbecue feasts which usually concluded a day of hunting. 

The year 1980 was a significant one for Coto.  Arvida, a Florida based division of Pennco and a sister company to Great Southwest Corporation, was given control of Coto Development Corp by Pennco.  Robert Wilhelm accepted a position at Arvida's Sarasota project, Long Boat Key.  Dick Boultinghouse, an Arvida vice president, took charge as president of Coto Development.  At this time a number of projects were in planning including Ranchos Colinas, the Forest , the Portola Reservoir in Los Ranchos, and the north golf course.  Bob Sanchez left Coto and Ralph Taggart became hunt master.

Residents experienced two catastrophic events in 1980:  A 100 year storm with nine days of rain in February. Trabuco Creek was impassable for three days. Many of us were spectators along the bank of the creek watching some hardy souls try to get across.  Later, a "Bailey Bridge" platform was constructed by the 132nd Engineer battalion of the Army National Guard and we could cross safely again. The Indian Fire in November swept south from Riverside County through Indian Canyon over the Santa Ana mountains skirting Modjeska and Trabuco through Holy Jim Canyon and finally along the eastern edge of Coto.  Fire fighters and engine companies from all over California came to assist Orange County Fire.  Fire engines were placed in intervals along the roads in the Village. Coto was spared by a late shift in the wind and the fire moved south toward Caspers Park .  Later, efforts were successful in containing the fire.  This fire was a factor in bringing Fire Station 40 to Coto.

On the brighter side that year, there was the very successful five days Memorial Day Classic Horse Show at the Coto Equestrian Center sponsored by the Kidney Foundation of Southern California.  Then in July there was a five day Hunter Jumper Show equestrian event which was a success.    The equestrian facility was an important feature of  Macco's 1969 marketing plan for Coto and has been well supported in later years.  Equestrian Center manager in 1980 was Caroline Bonham.  Bill Radovich D.V.M.  provided excellent veterinarian services to the equestrian center. 

In 1980 Gideon Ariel joined with Vic Braden to establish the Coto Research Center .  Gideon had formed Computerized Biomechanical Analysis, Inc. in 1971.  Using computers, Gideon studied the motions of amateur and professional athletes in order to improve their performance.    Computer specialist partner Ann Penny came to Coto with Gideon to get the new facility under way.  Facilities adjacent to the Tennis College were occupied. 

On April 3, 1982 at the new Portola Reservoir in the north ranch residents gathered to witness the dedication ceremony and the beginning of the filling of the lake. 

Dick Boultinghouse introduced key officials from the Santa Margarita Water District.  This was a giant picnic party and was capped off by the burying of a time capsule containing Coto memorabilia in the bottom of the lake.

On August 24, 1982 the Orange County Board of Supervisors gave the green light for construction to start on the Alicia/Portola parkway and the 1200 foot bridge spanning Trabuco Creek. The bridge was completed and opened with a dedication ceremony on May 24, 1984.  Later, Alicia was extended north connecting to the Portola Parkway .

On September 1, 1982 the Orange County Board of Supervisors awarded their unanimous approval to Coto's Specific Plan and General Plan Amendment for development of Coto.  Up to 5,200 various types of residential units were authorized within our 4,928 acre ranch.  The Junior Olympics Modern Pentathlon was coming in 1983 followed by the Modern Pentathlon venue in the 1984 Olympics.  Now it seemed all systems were go for Coto.

1983 was an exciting year.  There were hunting and shooting events. The Memorial Day Horse Show and equestrian events which included dressage and auction dinners were well attended.  Coto was host to the Junior Olympics modern pentathlon for athletes under twenty years of age.  The event was successful and it afforded the management a test for handling the 1984 event.  For the second year an Octoberfest was held in the Youth Park . The Vic Braden Tennis College was in full swing.  A "Sport Goofy" youth tennis challenge was a success.  Michael Chang was on his way to tennis fame. (and he later became a Coto resident). 

The 1984 Olympics Modern Pentathlon consisted of five sports:  fencing, target shooting, equestrian, swimming, and a cross-country run.  The athletes came from 19 different countries.  Village residents offered to host individual teams and thereby created goodwill by giving the athletes friendship and support in their efforts as well as transportation to events around Orange County .  Many host families kept in contact with their team members long after the Olympics.  The Olympic events went well.  Dick Boultinghouse and Tom Scott organized the effort.  Many residents volunteered to serve in some capacity to help keep the events running smoothly and the crowds under control.  The equestrian events drew nearly 8000 visitors.  There were celebrities and a surprise visit from Princess Anne of Great Britain .  Only one problem occurred.  At the pentathlon target shooting contest our range was not suitable for large crowds.  Historically, this event was not well attended.  Imagine our surprise when more ticket holders showed up than expected and we had to improvise an off -range video viewing area.  The final pentathlon running event finish was in the riding arena below the bleachers next to the equestrian center.

It was a finish to remember. Italy 's Daniel Masala led from the start until Sweden 's Svante Rasmuson pushed ahead as the two entered the arena towards the finish line. With about 30 yards left Rasmuson stumbled and nearly fell allowing Masala to retake the lead and win the Gold.  The final Pentathlon team medals went to Italy-Gold , USA -Silver, and France-Bronze. The medal ceremony was held in the arena.  Later, a street in Ranchos Colinas was named  "Via Masala" to commemorate the Italians victory.

About this time, Arvida was involved in some management changes which soon reached Coto.  Arvida formed limited partnerships first with J&B Realty of Chicago, then with The Walt Disney Company, and finally with Chevron Land & Development.  There were attempts at first to sell Coto but acceptable offers evidentially were not received.  Disney had a fleeting interest and had prepared a proposal for a family vacation resort.  The site would have been in Wagon Wheel Canyon .  The plan was not pursued and the 400 acre area was dedicated to the County of orange for what is now the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park .

Later, Chevron assigned Brian Lake to be their on-site representative.  Brian would interface with Coto Development management and the Community Associations.  Finally, Lennar Corporation took over to finish the development of Coto. 

Real estate activity was beginning to pick up. The new Ranchos Colinas properties which consisted of two new tracts with 27 graded lots for custom homes adjacent to Los Ranchos Estates in the north ranch were offered for sale.  Prices ranged from $83,000 to $165,000 for graded lot pads sized from 7,440 to 17,000 sq ft.  The Forest and the Woods were next on the drawing boards. 

The completion of the Trent Jones designed north golf course and the construction of the new Golf and Racquet Club facilities in the center of the ranch brought Coto to another level of its development.   These facilities were on a par with Arvida's similar first class operations at Boca Raton , Jacksonville and Sarasota Florida . 

However, in 1986 some of the property owners and members of Club de Caza raised some issues with Coto Developments management about the use of these new facilities and their rights. 

The resulting litigation was settled and the new Silver-Bronze Corporation received ownership of the former Club de Caza facilities including the hunt area, equestrian facilities and clubhouse plus a financial settlement and clarification of the use of the new golf club and facilities.  On January 1, 1990 the Coto Valley Country Club began as a member owned equity club.  Silver-Bronze has survived through several difficult times since then and hopefully this link to the past will remain intact.

The build out of the community occurred in early 2000 and now Coto de Caza is a sprawling suburban community with almost 4,000 homes.