I was hosted by Travel Santa Ana. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I always considered Santa Ana the city to visit when I wanted to go out in college (I have the Yost and the Observatory to thank for that!), but it would be years before I discovered the true heartbeat of this funky, humming city in the center of Orange County, California. Returning now with my college years behind me, I wanted to know: what are the best things to do in this city? What had I been missing, and what would make a stop in Santa Ana worthwhile when visiting, or passing through, the OC?
Turns out, plenty.
With its undeniable influence from Mexico and its proud reputation as a cultural cornerstone of Orange County, Santa Ana is a city where food, art, and identity come together to create something entirely fresh and unexpected. A walk down 4th Street or the Artists Village in downtown will have you, for a moment, feeling like you’ve been transported someplace new. In Santa Ana, people wear their heritage and their inspiration on their sleeves. You can feel it in the Michelin-recognized handmade tortillas at Lola Gaspar, the 200+ murals that color the walls of every street corner, and the way you can’t walk more than a stone’s throw in any direction without finding another delicious place to enjoy a michelada. There are so many delicious and fun things to do in Santa Ana, you’d be (as I was) pleasantly surprised.
So if you’re looking for an interesting stop on your next drive through Orange County, or if you find yourself needing something to do near Disneyland to escape the long lines and the crowds, here’s why Santa Ana might just be worth an extra stop on your itinerary.
Keep reading to uncover all the great things to do in Santa Ana, CA!
First, Where is Santa Ana California and What Is It Known For?
Known as the heart of Orange County, Santa Ana is centrally located and easy to access no matter where you are in the OC. For out-of-towners, Santa Ana is about an hour south of Los Angeles, and two hours north of San Diego, accessed by car via the 5 or 405 freeways. If you’re flying into Orange County, you’ll most likely be landing in John Wayne Airport (SNA), conveniently located right in Santa Ana!
When I first moved to California to go to college in the OC, I used to regard Orange County purely for its good beaches and big malls (oh, and big apartment complexes), coupled with the occasional Disneyland visit or Angels game.
What I’ve learned over the years about Santa Ana though is that here, you’ll find something different that no other neighborhood in Orange County can match: its cultural pride and ethnic diversity, which is obvious from the moment you arrive. Santa Ana has the highest percentage of Hispanic/Latino residents in all of OC, and it manifests in so much of what there is to see and do throughout the city.
So, with that in mind, if you’re wondering what to do in Santa Ana, here are my top picks!
The Best Things to Do in Santa Ana, California
Do a DIY Michelada Crawl
One of the most unique things to do in Santa Ana has to be sampling its micheladas. Sure, you can order a michelada from restaurants all over California, but I’d bet you can’t find as many restaurants serving up this signature Mexican beverage in such close proximity as you can in Santa Ana.
The michelada has become so ubiquitous in Santa Ana that the city even rolled out a Santa Ana Michelada Guide, showcasing 24+ different restaurants and breweries proudly serving up their own take on the salty, refreshing drink.
So, if you’re looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon in Santa Ana, why not do a DIY michelada crawl?
My Favorite Places to Grab a Michelada in Santa Ana:
- Alta Baja Market: This woman-owned cafe and market serves up my top-choice michelada in Santa Ana. Why? With fresh seasonal ingredients and the most creative concoctions, their micheladas are super refreshing and unlike anything I’ve ever had (and I love miches!). I have had their passionfruit and tamarind micheladas, but other specialties featuring activated charcoal and spirulina are making me itch to drive back to Santa Ana for another taste.
- Lola Gaspar: A Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurant known for their handmade tortillas and delicious tacos, Lola Gaspar serves up my favorite ‘enhanced’ take on the classic michelada thanks to a savory ancho-chile bloody mix.
- Cerveza Cito Brewery: Santa Ana’s original brewery lets you pick any of their beers on tap and pair it with one of their six michelada mixes. If you can’t decide, order a michelada flight and you’ll get a pitcher plus four mixes so you can DIY your own concoctions.
- Hammer Burger: Hammer Burger not only serves one of the best smash burgers Orange County, but they also do all of their pickling in-house. Why does that matter? Because here, you must order their Pickler Michelada, served with Pickle Beer made with their very own in-house pickle brine. Sounds weird? It was! But it was also oddly addicting, and made for an ideal pairing with my salty meal.
Indulge in Santa Ana Nightlife
The original reason I and my friends would flock to Santa Ana in college was because of this city’s nightlife scene, which is one of the most well-known in the OC. On a random Friday night, you could usually find me at The Yost chasing a reggaeton or hip hop DJ set or, quite memorably, getting my driver’s license confiscated on my 18th birthday. I promise, it was real, but nobody trusted those rainbow Hawaii IDs back in the day!
The Yost is an OC nightlife legend, because it’s been around for more than 100 years. If a night of dancing is what you’re after, and you don’t mind an 18-and-up scene, checking out The Yost is a must.
Santa Ana’s other popular nightlife hotspot, The Observatory, is an amazing, intimate live music venue worth looking into while you’re in town. From jazz, to house, to indie, to hip hop, concerts here are always a good time because the crowds are smaller and the acoustics are incredible. On my most recent visit to Santa Ana, I got to see Murs perform his last tour, where my husband and I belted out ‘L.A.’ at the top of our lungs. I also got to see Glass Animals perform here back in 2015, which was one of my favorite concerts to this day.
Catch an Indie Film at Frida Cinema
For a super unique thing to do in Santa Ana, catch a movie at the Frida Cinema. This isn’t just any movie theater, I promise!
As Orange County’s only nonprofit arthouse cinema, Frida Cinema is a well-loved neighborhood establishment that screens cult classics, indie films, and popular blockbusters. I bought tickets to see Legally Blonde at the Frida Cinema recently, and was surprised to find a college professor from Chapman University (my alma mater!) kicking off the screening with a presentation of filming locations from the movie. Did you know parts of Legally Blonde were filmed in Santa Ana, at the Old Orange County Courthouse? Because I definitely didn’t!
A movie at Frida Cinema is a treat, and while you might not find the plush reclining seats and fancy bells and whistles available at most Los Angeles movie theaters today, you will find ultra-passionate people (everyone who works here is a film-loving volunteer!) and an old-school theater experience that’s becoming more and more rare.
- Check out Frida Cinema’s upcoming movie screenings and buy tickets here.
Go Crazy with Santa Ana’s Food Scene
Santa Ana’s food scene is noteworthy, and not just because of the abundance of top-notch Latin-inspired restaurants. The eateries here are a funky mix of longstanding legends and buzzworthy newcomers, and the sheer variety of flavors and cultural mash-ups is impressive.
Depending on what you’re looking for, there are so many great Santa Ana restaurants and bites to sample while you’re in town!
The Most Noteworthy Santa Ana Restaurants and Eateries:
- For Latin-Inspired Cuisine: Head to mother- and daughter-owned Perla Mexican Cuisine, Bib Gourmand-recognized Lola Gaspar, or woman-owned Alta Baja Market.
- For a Little Bit of Everything: Visit 4th Street Market, Santa Ana’s culture-clash food hall.
- For Asian-Inspired Pastries: Don’t miss Baked Banhs, where you’ll find fun cookie flavors like miso chocolate chip and earl grey yuzu.
- For Top-Notch Spanish Tapas: Check out the new but noteworthy Fat of the Land, owned by husband and wife team Robert and Iris and offering unbelievably savory bites in an cozy little space that immediately makes you feel at home.
- For a Unique Dining Experience: Have lunch or a drink at Le Hut Dinette, a newcomer restaurant located in a remodeled Quonset hut.
- For Fine Dining: Make a reservation at Omakase by Gino, or the exclusive 18-seat dinner experience at Trust.
Explore the Santanero Shopping Scene
While Orange County is well known for its gigantic, ultra-glamorous shopping malls like South Coast Plaza and Fashion island, Santa Ana offers more of a casual neighborhood feel when it comes to shopping. Wander along 4th Street in Santa Ana’s East End, and you’ll find small locally-owned boutiques and Santanero-inspired goods you may not find anywhere else in Southern California.
Check out Collective2one9, which features multiple vendors and local small businesses with unique souvenirs and gifts like LA hats, handmade copitas for mezcal or tequila, jewelry, and location-inspired pins. I bought a set of little orange copitas for my apartment from here!
You should also browse Alta Baja Market for home decor and unique food gifts. They also have the biggest selection of Mexican wine in California, so I made sure to stock up on bottles from Valle de Guadalupe!
Seek Out Santa Ana’s Art and Museums
In this city, you’ll find a bit of an artist’s energy that’s tangible in the many of the most popular things to do and see throughout Santa Ana. There are even several museums worth checking out in Santa Ana, from family-friendly activity centers to niche exhibits and famous collections.
Where to Best Explore Santa Ana’s Art Scene:
- Artists Village, Downtown Santa Ana: If you blink, you might miss it, but the Artists Village in downtown Santa Ana has been a haven for artists for more than two decades. If you walk around the area, you might find galleries and artist studios you can visit, depending on the day.
- DTSA Artwalk: The DTSA Artwalk is a neighborhood block party for Santa Ana’s best art, food, and music, and it takes place on the first Saturday of every month from 5- 10 pm. The Frida Cinema is responsible for bringing this event to Santa Ana, and preserving the city’s identity as Orange County’s funky, artsy neighborhood.
- Orange County Museum of Art: Though technically located next door in Costa Mesa, the Orange County Museum of Art is just a quick drive from Santa Ana and well worth the visit. Admission to this modern art museum is free, and the collections are exciting and thought provoking, with OCMA’s permanent collection exclusively featuring art from artists with ties to California.
- Dr Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum: This small, historic house was the home of Orange County’s first female doctor. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open on select days for special events and tours.
- Bowers Museum: Perhaps the city’s most popular museum and one of the most well known things to do in Santa Ana, the Bowers Museum features permanent galleries and rotating exhibits from around the world. It has been recognized as a top museum in the OC, and in the country, over the years!
- Lyon Air Museum: Fittingly located next to the John Wayne Airport, this museum is all about airplanes and vintage cars from the wartimes of the 20th century.
Admire Santa Ana’s Murals
Santa Ana’s artist energy isn’t just about museums and events. It’s something that can be seen and felt on street corners all over the city’s downtown core. Thanks to Santa Ana’s Latino majority and massive cultural influence dating back to the Chicano movement in the 60s, the city is filled with depictions of culture, struggle, triumph, and identity.
You don’t have to look very far to come across a mural, but be sure to keep an eye out for these when you’re wandering around Santa Ana!
Noteworthy Santa Ana Murals to Visit:
- Ascend (411 N. Main St.): This mural by Brian Peterson is hard to miss, and depicts the human journey, resilience, and upward momentum.
- Border Wall (117 N. Sycamore St): Self explanatory and powerful, this mural showcases a boy climbing over a wall and reflects the vulnerability, struggle, and triumph of people who cross the border in search of a better life.
- Among Heroes (Next to La Chiquita Grocery): This mural by Carlos Aguilar is a tribute to Mexican-American war veterans
- La Catrina (McFadden Public Market): This beautiful mural depicts the Mexican figure of death, La Catrina.
- Chicano Gothic (2102 S. Flower St): This mural was done by one of the first artists in the Chicano art movement, Emigdio Vasquez. It’s an homage to the famous American Gothic, showcasing working-class Mexican-Americans.
For a more detailed mural crawl, there are more than 200+ pieces of public art mapped on Travel Santa Ana.
Where to Stay in Santa Ana
While there aren’t too many unique hotels in the city of Santa Ana, you will certainly be able to find some convenient accommodations when passing through for a weekend visit. A stay in Santa Ana guarantees you’ll be within 20 minutes of just about anything in Orange County!
- Courtyard Marriott Santa Ana Orange County: Conveniently located by the South Coast metro area and The Observatory, this hotel is ideal if you’re in town to catch a show for the weekend.
- Compare prices and book on: Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com
- Comfort Inn & Suites Orange County John Wayne Airport: This hotel is right by the airport, making it a good choice if you’re flying in and looking for an easy home base.
- Compare prices and book on: Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com
Other Hotel Options in Santa Ana:
- All Santa Ana Places to Stay: Booking.com | Expedia | Hotels.com | VRBO
Where to Eat and Drink in Santa Ana
There are so many awesome places to eat and drink in Santa Ana, but here are a few of my top picks based on flavor, authenticity, ambiance, or uniqueness.
- 4th Street Market: A longstanding mainstay of Santa Ana, this is a food hall with a wide variety of stands and eateries, including a bar and an outdoor back terrace. Don’t miss a miso cookie from Baked Bahns!
- Fat of the Land: An intimate, husband- and wife-owned restaurant serving up the most incredible tapas and conversation. Grab a seat at the bar, and don’t miss a slice of Basque cheesecake!
- Chapter One: The Modern Local: This is a gastropub set inside an old bookstore, and it’s been around in Santa Ana for as long as I can remember.
- Cafe Cito: This coffee shop is owned by native Santaneros and focuses on Mexican-inspired flavors. Order the iced cafe de olla latte!
- Le Hut Dinette: Set inside a remodeled Quonset hut, this restaurant is incredibly photogenic and funky. I recommend coming for a bottle of wine and some light bites.
- Lola Gaspar: Another Santa Ana mainstay that’s been around for ages, Lola Gaspar has Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin, and is well-loved for its tacos and cocktails.
- Cerveza Cito Brewery: Santa Ana’s first brewery and the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Grab their michelada flight and you’ll receive a pitcher of a local beer along with up to 4 different miche mixers to share.
- Vacation Bar: A hip spot for cocktails and food in downtown Santa Ana.
- Hammer Burger: One of the most delicious smash burgers in Orange County, plus, a pickle-flavored michelada if you order their pickle beer on tap! This particular beer is made with pickles brined onsite. I know, it sounds bizarre, and it kind of is. But the novelty makes it worthwhile!
- Alta Baja Market: A woman-owned michelada bar, casual eatery, and boutique selling latin snacks, Mexican wines, home decor, and more.
- Den Cafe: A funky eatery popular for brunch, coffee, and cocktails.
- Hopper & Burr: This fun coffee shop serves up innovative coffee concoctions that go way beyond a dirty chai.
- Perla Mexican Cuisine: This mother- and daughter-owned restaurant is especially well-loved for its Sunday mariachi brunch.
- Omakase by Gino: While I haven’t tried this yet myself, it’s notorious for being one of the best dining experiences in town. Picture a ten-seat, incredibly intimate omakase dinner. Reservation only.
- Trust: Another exclusive fine dining experience in Santa Ana, Trust is also reservations-only and is meant to be more like an intimate dinner party amongst friends.
Santa Ana FAQ: Tips to Know Before You Go
Is Santa Ana Worth Visiting?
Santa Ana, California will surprise you, and is well worth visiting thanks to its food, arts, and entertainment scenes. Whether you make Santa Ana your destination or find yourself just passing through, you can use my guide to help you plan the perfect visit.
What is Santa Ana Known For?
Santa Ana, California is known for its rich Latino heritage, funky food scene, and jammed–packed michelada crawl. It’s also popular for nightlife, and you can find some of the most popular music venues in Orange County here.
What’s the Weather Like in Santa Ana, California?
The weather in Santa Ana is generally nice year-round, with hot summer days and cool, but never cold, winters. For most of the year you can easily visit with nothing more than a light jacket.
How Can You Get Around in Santa Ana?
Most people visit Santa Ana by car, and you can easily rent a car at the John Wayne Airport (SNA). Compare car rental prices for Santa Ana on Kayak using this link, or Expedia using this link.
If you find yourself in Santa Ana without a car, Uber is a convenient way to get around!
Did this guide surprise you? What are you most excited to do in Santa Ana? Let me know below!
Book Activities In or Near Santa Ana Here:
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