Santa Ana: A Vibrant Orange County Destination

Santa Ana, California, is a community filled with culture, artistic expression, authentic cuisine, family-friendly attractions, and unique shopping experiences. This vibrant city celebrates diversity and creativity, offering something different from the familiar Orange County.

Things to Do

Boasting a thriving art scene with galleries and studios, Santa Ana has a host of things to do. It’s home to one of the region’s most extensive and vibrant mural collections. Art is everywhere, from parking lots to alleyways. Visitors can explore over 200 murals and sculptures on a self-guided walking tour.

Santa Ana is home to historic landmarks like the county’s first courthouse, built in 1901. Visitors can take a walking tour to learn about the city’s history and architecture, including the Spurgeon Building, named after Santa Ana’s founder, William H. Spurgeon. Completed in 1913, it stood tall as the city’s first skyscraper. Today, visitors can marvel at the preserved structure and its unique clock tower. Many of Downtown Santa Ana’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wild creatures abound at the Santa Ana Zoo, a unique zoo with a strong focus on the animals and plants of Central and South America. It houses more than a dozen species of primates, birds, felines, amphibians, and even farm animals like horses, camels, cows, and chickens. At select times, visitors can pet and brush Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf goats. The zoo also features a playground, carousel, Ferris wheel, and a kid-friendly train. Soon, visitors will be able to watch river otters frolic under a 15-foot waterfall in a brand-new exhibit.

Another great family destination is Discovery Cube Orange County, where kids can experience science through hands-on exhibits and STEM attractions designed to spark curiosity. Popular exhibits include Sea Lab, where kids can dip their hands into a coastal tide pool touch tank and pet a (harmless) shark or ray. Another favorite is the fully reimagined Dino Quest, where kids can explore an interactive dinosaur fossil excavation site and participate in interactive missions.

American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park combines fitness and fun, allowing visitors to master their ninja skills. Guests can take on challenges such as monkey swings, spider walls, tilting logs, floating bridges, a 10,000-square-foot inflatable obstacle course, and the famous warped wall.

The Heritage Museum of Orange County is dedicated to promoting and preserving O.C.'s history, nature, and culture. Visitors can wander through 12 lovely acres of gardens and citrus groves before exploring the historic plaza, where restored 1890s buildings serve as museums. 

At the Bowers Museum, visitors can find art and artifacts from California, along with rotating exhibits that showcase everything from high fashion to documentary photography to the Walt Disney archives.

A must-visit for aviation and military history enthusiasts is the Lyon Air Museum. The museum houses authentic aircraft, rare vehicles, and other memorabilia with an emphasis on World War II. Historical exhibitions offer insight into the important role the United States has played in world history.

Film buffs shouldn’t miss the Frida Cinema, a non-profit vintage arthouse theater that embodies the essence of movie culture. A typical week at the Frida features showings of cult classics, local projects, LGBTQ+ and anime films, director talks, and film-themed events.

Shopping

Santa Ana’s shopping scene is as eclectic as its community, offering everything from name brands to one-of-a-kind, handcrafted art and jewelry.

• RR Western Wear has been selling top-of-the-line cowboy hats, boots, and accessories since 1955.
• THEM Skates sells apparel and custom-made inline skates.
• Alta Baja Market stocks decor, drinks, jams, and spices from California and Mexico—including the largest selection of Mexican wine in the state.
• Collective2one9 features a multi-vendor retail marketplace and event space with unique decor, art, music, and clothing.
• LibroMobile is an independent bookstore with shelves filled with new and used books written by Latinx, Black, Asian, and Indigenous authors.

For brand names, MainPlace Mall is home to big retailers like H&M, Hot Topic, and Aéropostale, along with smaller boutiques.

Events

Santa Ana is a city of celebrations, with events that showcase its diverse community. From the Mid-Autumn Festival to Día de Los Muertos, there is always something happening in the heart of Orange County.

A standout event is the monthly Artwalk, held on the first Saturday of every month. During this event, art galleries and studios open their doors for free to display works by the city’s most celebrated artists. The Artwalk also features outdoor festival areas with live music performances, vendors, pop-up artists, and dancing.

Santa Ana also hosts the Blading Cup, the largest rollerblading event in North America, featuring competitions in the streets of downtown.

Dining & Nightlife

Santa Ana’s rich Hispanic culture brings the vibrant flavors of Latin America to the dining scene, offering a mix of classic and eclectic dishes.

• Visitors can explore diverse local restaurants with the Culinary Passport, which highlights menu “must-try” items and the stories behind each establishment.
• The Michelada Guide features more than two dozen restaurants and bars serving up their own versions of the Michelada, from house-made mixes to mocktail options with Topo Chico, sparkling water, or assorted fruit juices.

4th Street Market is a culinary hub with a rotating lineup of innovative chefs serving a wide variety of dishes and cocktails all day long. Guests can dine alfresco on the sunny patio and attend unique events like Patio Vibrations.

At McFadden Public Market, visitors can grab a bite from rotating food vendors while enjoying vintage arcade games and video game-themed drinks at Mission Control or a tropical cocktail at the Twisted Tiki bar. 

It’s not surprising that a city bursting with creativity gets even more interesting after dark. Whether you are looking for a memorable live music performance, a lively dance floor, or just a friendly spot to enjoy a spicy Michelada, Santa Ana has you covered.

Hotels

Santa Ana offers well-known hotel accommodations such as Courtyard by Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

Getting Here

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is located just two miles from most Santa Ana hotels.