Santa Ana Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Bowers Museum showing interior views
Launch a simulated rocket, learn about culture and art from around the world, see antique aircrafts and meet some of the world’s smallest monkeys.

Santa Ana is one of the liveliest and most populated cities in Orange County. It is packed full of attractions to entertain the whole family. Select from popular local spots, such as the Bowers Museum, Discovery Cube, Lyon Air Museum and the Santa Ana Zoo.

Take a tour of the Bowers Museum and attend seminars on culture and art from all around the world. Temporary exhibitions feature a variety of interesting subjects. The site offers art-house movies and documentaries about creative geniuses, such as Beethoven. Bring your children to the Kidseum, an exhibition specially designed to engage children with the arts. Watch them dress up in exotic outfits, try on masks and play musical instruments from around the world.

Make your way to the Discovery Cube, formerly the Discovery Science Center. It is now named after its spectacular 10-story solar array cube. Take part in interactive exhibits to learn about science the fun way. The Science of Hockey exhibit explains the physics behind the sport.

Watch a movie at the unique 4-D theater. Feel like you are part of the action as you are sprayed with water and air. See a genuine Delta Rocket engine and count down to a simulated blast-off at the Rocket Launch Station.

Find out about the history of aviation at the Lyon Air Museum. Hear stories about remarkable planes and pilots and explore antique aircraft, military vehicles and other artifacts.

Spend the day watching fascinating animals at the Santa Ana Zoo Their pygmy marmosets are some of the smallest monkeys in the world. See the exotic birds at the Colors of the Amazon Aviary. At Crean Family Farm, children can pet ponies and feed other animals.

Santa Ana is a 15-minute drive from Anaheim and a 40-minute drive from Los Angeles. You can also get there by bus or train, but driving is the most popular method of transportation. For additional fun, pack your swimsuit and head to nearby Huntington Beach or Newport Beach on the Pacific Coast.

Where to stay in Santa Ana

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North Tustin

While North Tustin isn't home to many top sights, Santa Ana Zoo and Bowers Museum are some notable places to visit nearby.

North Tustin
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Riverview West

While Riverview West may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Disney California Adventure® Park and Downtown Disney® District.

Riverview West
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Lacy

When in Lacy, you can plan a visit to Old Orange County Courthouse and Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lacy
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Floral Park

The beaches and restaurants are a few reasons travellers visit Floral Park. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Bowers Museum and Discovery Science Center are a few top sights nearby.

Floral Park
Discovery Science Center which includes interior views

Park Santiago

While visiting Park Santiago, you might make a stop by sights like Discovery Science Center and Santiago Park.

Park Santiago
Santa Ana

Henninger Park

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Henninger Park and surrounding area, you can visit Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse and Old Orange County Courthouse.

Henninger Park
Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
2 out of 5
Anaheim
The price is NZ$154 per night from 30 May to 31 May
NZ$154
per night
30 May - 31 May
Stay at this motel in Anaheim. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,082 reviews)
Great stay for a buget friendly Disneyland trip!
"Check-in & Check-out were a breeze. They were kind enough to check our large bag both times at no additional charge to accommodate an early flight in & late afternoon flight out. Room was clean & housekeeping checked in each day to see what we needed. Staff was all friendly & helpful. Bed was a bit ..."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orange County Airport
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orange County Airport
2.5 out of 5
2721 Hotel Ter, Santa Ana, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$172 per night from 21 May to 22 May
NZ$172
per night
21 May - 22 May
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Ana. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7/10 Good! (1,440 reviews)
"It was adequate for the price..front desk staff are excellent!"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Orange County Airport
Hilton Anaheim
Hilton Anaheim
4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA
The price is NZ$285 per night from 31 May to 1 Jun
NZ$285
per night
31 May - 1 Jun
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy a full-service spa, 4 restaurants, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,397 reviews)
"Hotel was good. Huge DECA convention so a ton of loud kids running up and down the halls at times. ART was completely unreliable for getting to Disneyland. We ended up making the 20 min walk nearly every time because buses were not running or just came down to the round about and left without coming ..."

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Hilton Anaheim
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
2 out of 5
Santa Ana
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Disney California Adventure® Park and Downtown ...
6.8/10 (297 reviews)
"The property is well maintained and the rooms are clean. Will know more by checkout tomorrow."

Reviewed on 17 Feb. 2024

West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
Cozy 2 Bedroom-2 Full Bath Condo;Art District DTSA
Cozy 2 Bedroom-2 Full Bath Condo;Art District DTSA
Santa Ana
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Great little get away
"Was a great spot to call home while visiting the area. Met all our needs."

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2024

Cozy 2 Bedroom-2 Full Bath Condo;Art District DTSA
The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
3 out of 5
149 Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA
Stay at this 3-star historic aparthotel in Long Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and an attached winery. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (836 reviews)
"It wasn’t clear as to how to enter the property the first time to get your parking space and key."

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2024

The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Santa Ana

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
0
" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 50%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
4 Feb 2020

Didn't spend much time there, just passing through

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