CITY SPOTLIGHT:

YOUR GUIDE TO Santa Ana, California

Santa Ana sunset

Know Before You Go: About Santa Ana

Planning a trip to Santa Ana? Find out how to pack, how to get around and what to see once you're there!

It doesn’t have the glitz of Newport or Laguna, but don’t underestimate Santa Ana—the county seat of Orange County is a certified warm-weather paradise. Families gather here to bask in the perpetual sunshine and experience some big-city pleasures. Only 10 miles from the beautiful Pacific Coast, Santa Ana makes an ideal family base for exploring Southern California.

Stay and Play

It's tempting to head right out to Disneyland and other nearby famous attractions, but take time to enjoy the local scene first. Count the monkeys at the Santa Ana Zoo—founder Joseph Prentice insisted that 50 of them always be kept on hand—or enjoy other cool animals, like anteaters and bald eagles. Bring your little ones to the Kidseum at Bowers Museum for facepainting and morning storytelling. Check out an operational World War II aircraft, including some interesting German pieces, at the Lyon Air Museum. Or, shoot arrows at the archery range in the quiet and delightful Santiago Park.

Whenever You Go, Expect sun

Leave your down coats and umbrellas behind when you head for Santa Ana. Even if you spend an entire year strolling the streets of this town, you’ll only feel about 13 inches of rainfall on your head. Nighttime temperatures during the winter can dip down to 45 degrees, though, so pack a few layers if you’re planning a winter trip.

The City Runs on Fun

With sunny skies and balmy weather, it's no surprise that Santa Ana relies on tourism to power its economy. Some 40 million people visit Orange County every year, creating billions in tourism, and Santa Ana gets its share. However, government is also a big employer in this county seat. If you're looking for an ATM, you'll find them everywhere—Santa Ana is a financial center, with over 80 banks and financial institutions. The industries of aerospace and electronics also play important roles in the city's economical stature.

Plane-It or Train-It Into Town

When you step off the plane at the John Wayne Airport, you're already in Santa Ana. But it's equally convenient to just drive into town on the Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) or the Garden Grove Freeway (State Route 22). You can also chug into town on the Amtrak, with several trains daily on weekdays and sporadic trips on weekends. Once you arrive, getting around town on public transportation isn't easy. Given the extended delights in this part of the state—Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and the Pacific Ocean, to name a few—you'll want to rent a car for your stay as a better alternative.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Santa Ana.

pigmy marmoset

Things to do In Santa Ana

Shopping, nightlife and amaing restaurants make this beach town a favorite among tourists. Don't visit Santa Ana without checking out these must-see spots!