Saddleback Church, Evangelical megachurch in Lake Forest, California, US.
Saddleback Church is a large evangelical congregation in Lake Forest, California, with multiple buildings on a spacious campus in southern Orange County. The main auditorium seats around 3,500 people, while additional structures house spaces for education, counseling, and social activities.
Rick Warren and his wife Kay founded the congregation in 1980 with a small Bible study group of seven people in their home. Over the following decades, the community grew and developed into one of the largest churches in the United States with thousands of weekly attendees.
The name comes from the Saddleback Mountain range visible to the south, referring to the gentle rolling hills of the area. The congregation uses multiple campuses for worship and offers programs in several languages, reflecting the diverse makeup of its members.
The campus is located in Lake Forest southeast of Los Angeles and is easily reached by car via several major roads. Parking is available in large numbers, and most events take place on weekends and throughout the week.
In 2023, the congregation left the Southern Baptist Convention following decisions to ordain women as pastors. This separation was part of a larger debate within Baptist communities about the role of women in ministry leadership.
Location: California
Inception: 1980
Founders: Rick Warren, Kay Warren
Website: https://saddleback.com
GPS coordinates: 33.66330,-117.64700
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:30
Orange County Great Park
7.7 km
Black Star Canyon
11.8 km
Wild Rivers
9.6 km
Santiago Peak
11.7 km
Silverado Canyon
11.1 km
Chet Holifield Federal Building
12.9 km
Laguna Woods Village
9.8 km
Cook's Corner
3.4 km
St. Michael's Abbey
3.2 km
Irvine Lake
14.3 km
Modjeska House
5.5 km
Laguna Canyon
15.5 km
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
15.5 km
Islamic Center of Irvine
11.6 km
Pretend City Children's Museum
8.9 km
Vedanta Society Of Southern California, Ramakrishna Monastery
3.6 km
Bommer Canyon
15.4 km
Laguna Niguel Lake
13.8 km
Modjeska Peak
11.4 km
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
14.1 km
Jose Serrano Adobe
4.3 km
Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks
8.7 km
Via Murillo
4.6 km
Silkwood Park
12.8 km
Frances Packing House
12 km
Roger Y. Williams House
15.2 km
Irvine Blacksmith Shop
10.4 km
Mission Viejo Library
7.5 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes