Living in Dutch Haven America
Located approximately six miles from downtown, Dutch Haven America is its own quiet neighborhood that backs onto the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. Several chain restaurants, such as Starbucks and Olive Pit Grill, surround the neighborhood. A few smaller restaurants are situated nearby as well, providing a bit more variety. Dutch Haven encompasses the Haven View Park, which has a playground area and a sand volleyball court. Other nearby parks include Weider Park and Gibbs Park. Head out to the Meadowlark Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs in Orange County, tee off on the course or hit the 35-stall driving range. Wrap things up with a bite to eat at the course-based restaurant, the Lark Ness Café.
Sunset Beach is just east of Dutch Haven America. Here, you will find one of the widest beaches in Southern California and strewn with restaurants, including Nadine’s Irish Mist and and Captain Jack’s. Running parallel to the beach is the 14-acre dog park, Green Belt. Each year during Mother’s Day weekend, the Sunset Beach Art Festival is held, where over 150 artists display their work.
Those who enjoy shopping are in luck! Less than ten minutes to the east is the Westminster Mall. Many popular stores are located in this mall, including Forever 21, Sears, Macy’s, Target, and Victoria’s Secret. Several casual-dining restaurants are available, such as Panda Express, Outback Steakhouse and TGI Friday’s. Slightly further east is Bella Terra, a large shopping center with a variety of department stores, restaurants and a Century 20 movie theatre. At Bella Terra you will find stores such as Whole Foods, Costco, Old Navy, REI, Kohl’s and Burlington Coat Factory; and restaurants including Buffalo Wild Wings, California Pizza Kitchen, Islands and Johnny Rockets.
The assigned public schools are Village View Elementary, Marine View Middle School and Marina High School. Village View Elementary School has a nine out of ten on the API rating scale and test scores in English and math proficiency are well above the state average. Receiving an eight out of ten on the API scale is the Marine View Middle School, which also offers dance and music programs.
Marina High School, a California Distinguished School (the highest honor a California school can receive), has a nine out of ten API rating with excellent test scores in math and English. The graduate rate is 96%, which is higher than the state average of 81%. Of those graduates, 53% are eligible to attend universities in the Cal State and California University systems. Over fifty after-school activities are offered, including drama club, mock trial, Habitat for Humanity, debate club, culinary arts club and several language clubs. Athletics are very popular at Marine High as well. Various types of sports are offered such as water polo, cross country, field hockey, football, tennis, volleyball, golf, soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, swimming, diving and surfing.
The private daycare and partial school, LePort Montessori, is located in the center of the Dutch Haven America neighborhood. Following the “Montessori” curriculum, the LePort school uses a “detective story principle,” using the student’s natural desire to learn. The LePort schools cater to children needing daycare, to preschool, kindergarten and grades one – three.
