Santa Ana, CA

Travel 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

Santa Ana Zoo featuring signage 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
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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 Santa Ana Zoo and Bowers Museum.

North Tustin
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Lacy

Lacy might not have many top sights, but Old Orange County Courthouse and Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lacy
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Riverview West

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

Riverview West
Discovery Science Center showing interior views

Park Santiago

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

Park Santiago
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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
Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
2 out of 5
Anaheim
The price is ¥13,468 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥13,468
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this motel in Anaheim. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,766 reviews)
"Toilet didn't flush well, And it was very loud at night. Other than that great stay"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
3 out of 5
1380 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA
The price is ¥30,117 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥30,117
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy free WiFi, free water park access, and a children's pool. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,118 reviews)
"i like the rooms and prices they were decent. prices good rooms"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
Hilton Anaheim
Hilton Anaheim
4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA
The price is ¥21,881 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥21,881
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this spa hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy 4 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and 2 spa tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,269 reviews)
"One of the best"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 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 Feb 17, 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, onsite parking, and a balcony. Popular attractions Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (13 reviews)
It’s a little different, but…
"It is a little bit different. The owner lives in the property & rents it when he can- then he leaves, his stuff stays. It’s reasonably clean. Very nice to have 2 bathrooms. The building is a little weird, too…older, with security doors and lots of keys. It isn’t the Ritz. Furniture is nothing special ..."

Reviewed on Feb 17, 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! (827 reviews)
"Had everything I needed."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 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

Things to do

Reviews of Santa Ana

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
277
" "5 - Excellent 26.40610104861773%
4 - Good
476
" "4 - Good 45.3765490943756%
3 - Okay
247
" "3 - Okay 23.546234509056244%
2 - Disappointing
29
" "2 - Disappointing 2.7645376549094376%
1 - Terrible
20
" "1 - Terrible 1.9065776930409915%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 28, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 17, 2020

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

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler
Apr 21, 2020

Leaving

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 8, 2020

Vwry peaceful & quiet

Cities near Santa Ana