Incorporated in 1927, the City of Tustin is located in central Orange County and encompasses an area of 11.08 square miles. Tustin is bounded on the south by the cities of Irvine and Santa Ana, on the north by the unincorporated portions of the County of Orange and the City of Orange, and on the east by unincorporated County territory and the City of Irvine. Within the context of the larger Southern California region, Tustin is located approximately two miles north of Orange County's John Wayne Airport and is transected by two major regional freeways: the I-5 (Santa Ana) Freeway, divides the City into north and south; and the SR-55 (Costa Mesa) Freeway, divides westerly portions of the City.
The City continues to be a discernible entity, characterized physically by its strategic crossroads location, the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, (closed in July 1999), hillside areas which offer sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Coast and Saddleback Mountains, prime commercial, industrial, and residential development, and one of the oldest historical "old towns" in Orange County. These significant natural and man-made characteristics provide a commonly acknowledged basis for a "sense of place". Together, they act as a foundation for Tustin's Future...a functional desirable and attractive community to live, work or visit.