Santa Ana, CA

Travel Guide

Lyon Air Museum which includes an airport and aircraft
Lyon Air Museum which includes an airport and aircraft
Bowers Museum showing interior views
Lyon Air Museum which includes aircraft and signage
Discovery Science Center which includes 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

Aerial view of the urban core of Orange County city of Aliso Viejo, California, USA.

North Tustin

While North Tustin might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Irvine Regional Park and Santa Ana Zoo.

North Tustin
Aerial view of Anaheim Hills, California, with the Santa Ana River visible nearby

Riverview West

While there might not be top attractions in Riverview West, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Anaheim Convention Center and Disney California Adventure® Park.

Riverview West
Discovery Science Center

Park Santiago

If you're spending some time in Park Santiago, Discovery Science Center and Santiago Park are top sights worth seeing.

Park Santiago
Default Image

Floral Park

The beaches and restaurants are a few reasons travelers visit Floral Park. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighborhood, you can visit Bowers Museum and Discovery Science Center, a few notable attractions nearby.

Floral Park
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 Old Orange County Courthouse and Bowers Museum.

Henninger Park
Santa Ana Zoo showing landscape views, bird life and zoo animals

Lyon Street

3.5/5(121 area reviews)

Though Lyon Street might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Santa Ana Zoo and Old Orange County Courthouse.

Lyon Street
Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange Co. Arpt by IHG

Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange Co. Arpt by IHG

3 out of 5
2726 S Grand Ave Santa Ana CA
The price is ¥19,733 per night from Mar 16 to Mar 17
¥19,733
¥22,337 total
Mar 16 - Mar 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,267 reviews)
Rooms are always clean staff is always super nice

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange Co. Arpt by IHG
MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels

MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels

2.5 out of 5
2701 Hotel Terrace Santa Ana CA
The price is ¥13,981 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
¥13,981
¥15,825 total
Mar 24 - Mar 25
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,686 reviews)
I stayed in a king suite for 5 nights. Bed was comfortable, room was clean, I loved having a fridge, microwave and kitchen sink. I think my stay was well priced for all the amenities (also a pool and breakfast but I didn’t get a chance to enjoy those due to my schedule). The hotel is a great Orange ...

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels
Hilton Anaheim

Hilton Anaheim

4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way Anaheim CA
The price is ¥23,171 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
¥23,171
¥27,379 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy a full-service spa, 4 restaurants, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,073 reviews)
The pool and spa were great. So were the dining options

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

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 CA
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Anaheim Convention Center and Disney California ...
7/10 Good! (314 reviews)
The pillow was flat with no cushion and one of the pillow cases had pilling

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026

West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
Budget Stay Casita

Budget Stay Casita

Santa Ana CA
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Honda Center and Anaheim Convention Center are located nearby.
Budget Stay Casita
Remodeled Twin Duplex 3-Bedroom Home, close to Airport, Beach, Disney, Shopping

Remodeled Twin Duplex 3-Bedroom Home, close to Airport, Beach, Disney, Shopping

Santa Ana CA
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom ...
Remodeled Twin Duplex 3-Bedroom Home, close to Airport, Beach, Disney, Shopping
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

Things to do

Reviews of Santa Ana

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
277
5 - Excellent 26%
4 - Good
476
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
247
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
29
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
20
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I love orange county. I had never seeing nothing like this it make me sad to see all this..

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lots of homeless hanging around parking and no control over smoking areas

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Santa Ana is a great city to enjoy yourself and have wonderful adventures.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Leaving

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It's a very clean and nice place to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Vwry peaceful & quiet

Cities near Santa Ana

Explore a world of travel with Expedia