Best Things to Do in Santa Ana, California You’ll Love

Santa Ana is a vibrant and artsy city in Orange County, Southern California. For those looking to escape the sprawling streets of Los Angeles, Santa Ana makes for a fun weekend getaway with so much to offer. These are the best things to do in Santa Ana, California that have all the makings for a memorable trip for couples, friends or families.

My love for Santa Ana grew more and more across the two full days that I spent there. The city has so many attractions and activities that I enjoy and seek out when I travel places. It’s one of the best cities for public art and street art that I’ve ever seen. Plus, there are unique bars and breweries, fascinating museums, beautiful gardens and excellent shops and restaurants particularly in the downtown core.

In this Santa Ana travel guide, I’m going to highlight my favorite places to go and the exceptional sights. Feel free to use my suggestions to build an amazing itinerary for your trip to Santa Ana. It’s easy to include Santa Ana in your California travel plans near Los Angeles and other destinations around Orange County, like Huntington Beach and Buena Park.

Getting There

When I visited Santa Ana, I flew into the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Here’s where you can search for cheap flights to LAX. From there, you have a couple of options for getting to Santa Ana.

First, it’s possible to take an Uber from LAX to Santa Ana. Please note that there’s a separate pickup area for ride sharing near the Los Angeles International Airport. From the terminal, get on the free LAXit bus that takes you to the Uber pickup spot. Upon arrival, order your Uber as usual and walk to your pickup area. It’s a very organized system, but it can be confusing at first if you don’t realize that you can’t call an Uber directly at the airport terminal.

Next, I highly recommend hiring a rental car instead of taking Uber when you visit Santa Ana. While many of the best things to do in Santa Ana are located in downtown Santa Ana, many other spots are scattered around the city. Instead of taking an Uber from place to place, I found it much easier to get around with my own car. This way, I had a bit more flexibility and spontaneity in my travel plans.

Pick up your rental car from the Los Angeles airport and return it there at the end of your trip. I always use Discover Cars to find my rental car because you can compare prices between multiple agencies to find the best rates. Book your rental car here.

Things to Do in Santa Ana: Discover the Street Art

The city of Santa Ana has always had the impression that public art and street art contributes to the identity and energy of a place. For that reason, the city has invested in its public art landscape for decades. Starting all the way back with the Chicano movement of the 1960s, the residents of Santa Ana used art to highlight important messages and the city’s multicultural heritage.

Art is everywhere in Santa Ana. You’ll find colorful walls taken up entirely by beautiful murals, and even entire buildings and city blocks painted with style. Graffiti art pieces are down narrow alleyways, tucked around corners, and painted on hydro boxes and bus shelters.

The themes of the street art make visual statements that initiate conversation and reflection. Many scenes pay tribute to Santa Ana’s Latin heritage and utilize scenes from Mexican folklore. Others aim at provoking thought regarding issues like the environment and climate change, immigration and social justice, and personal identity. And some are beautiful works of art featuring animals, people, or pop culture throwbacks.

So, where will you find the best public art in Santa Ana? Thankfully, Travel Santa Ana has made it easy for visitors with their listing of public art works with a detailed map. I suggest seeking out the murals that you’d most like to see and then simply taking a walk around that area to find more. It’s likely that another pop of color or inspiring graffiti art is just around the corner.

Things to Do in Santa Ana: Heritage Museum of Orange County

The Heritage Museum of Orange County is one of the best things to do in Santa Ana. It’s dedicated to preserving, restoring, and sharing the history of the region. There are interactive experiences throughout the historic buildings, lush gardens, citrus groves and walking trails across 12 acres of land.

Step into the Kellogg House, built in 1898, a stunning Victorian-era farmhouse where you’ll travel back in time. Admire the antique furniture and artifacts, as well as informative exhibits that detail what life was once like. There are other 1890s buildings and a central plaza on-site, as well as cute little touches like a Little Library.

Walk around the Gospel Swamp Natural Area, a tranquil oasis with native plants and wildlife. As I took a stroll around the property, I discovered a community garden with many fragrant plants and herbs, as well as a little windmill. The Heritage Museum of Orange County isn’t just a place to explore history, but a peaceful escape from city life.

The gardens are quite beautiful as well. There are rows of citrus trees and flower beds filled with roses. There are always events and programs taking place at the Heritage Museum, like themed festivals with exhibitors, vendors and activities for kids. Take a spooky ghost tour, participate in hands-on art exhibits, and listen to live music performances. Take a look at the calendar of events, there’s something for everyone.

Things to Do in Santa Ana: McFadden Public Market

McFadden Public Market is a dynamic food hall inside a historic landmark in downtown Santa Ana. There are rotating food vendors and ongoing events, like DJ sets and pinball tournaments. Most notably, McFadden Public Market is home to the Mission Control Bar Arcade and the Twisted Tiki.

Mission Control Bar Arcade

Mission Control is situated on the second floor of the McFadden Public Market. It’s a feast for the senses: neon lights, blinking pinball machines, and streams of retro video game sounds from the arcade machines. Try a specialty cocktail while you challenge yourself to pinball on one of several machines.

Most of the pinball machines are newer, like the Foo Fighters game or the Stranger Things pinball. The arcade games are a bit more of a throwback, with some of my favorite classics like Ms Pacman, Galaga and Super Mario. There’s a machine to insert cash into in exchange for tokens to play the arcade games.

Twisted Tiki

Aloha! Twisted Tiki is a tropical speakeasy near the front entrance of the McFadden Public Market. This is a little Hawaiian tiki bar with a whole menu of tasty tropical beverages. Their tiki drinks are prepared with fresh juices and house made syrups, so this isn’t your run of the mill bar.

The Purple Polynesian Sunset is a pina colada topped with a bruleed pineapple slice, set ablaze right before your eyes. Other signature cocktails include a Zombie, a Mai Tai, and a Painkiller. Sharing is caring – order a fish bowl Mai Tai with your friends for an extra-large dose of boozy fun!

Things to Do in Santa Ana: The Frida Cinema

If you’re a fan of independent and classic films, The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana is an absolute must. Named for Frida Kahlo, the revolutionary Mexican painter and political figure, this community theater named themselves after this inspirational artist.

This non-profit, community-driven theater sits right in the heart of downtown, and it’s truly a haven for cinephiles. They dub themselves, “the OC’s year-round film festival”. The Frida Cinema showcases a diverse mix of indie films, cult classics, intriguing documentaries and mainstream hits.

Like most theaters, there are movie posters and signage on the exterior of the cinema. Upon entering, I immediately noticed the vibrant art of Frida Kahlo and the mural that wraps around the walls featuring famous characters from movies. Those working at the theater are knowledgeable and always excited to make film recommendations. If you love movies, definitely pop by The Frida Cinema to catch what’s playing.

Things to Do in Santa Ana: Craft Breweries

Craft beer fans, you’re going to love Santa Ana. I visited two craft breweries on my trip to Santa Ana, and I highly recommend you check out both of them. Allow me to share Cerveza Cito Brewery and Santa Ana River Brewing with you.

Cerveza Cito Brewery

Cerveza Cito Brewery in downtown Santa Ana is a lively, yet laid-back place to savor a pint of craft beer. The full-sized skeleton decorations add a fun vibe and there are always so many different kinds of beer to sample. Grab a spot outdoors on their picnic table patio or indoors inside the spacious brewery.

They offer a rotating selection of beers that cater to every preference and taste. I love how creative they are, too. While I adore craft beer, I couldn’t resist trying one of their seltzer slushies (the fruit flavor one is sweet and refreshing!). As for the beer, try a flight if you can’t decide.

Choose from the Blood in Blood Orange (wheat beer – hefeweizen), Canelo (blonde), or Haze Ventura (IPA – New England). There are also several seltzers on tap, should you wish to try one straight up and not necessarily as a slushie. If you’re hungry, there’s usually a food truck parked right out front with some tasty bites.

Santa Ana River Brewing

If you’re on the hunt for a great craft beer experience in Santa Ana, look no further than Santa Ana River Brewing. Tucked away in an industrial area, this brewery has a chill spot to enjoy some tasty craft beer. Meet with friends, relax after a long day, or pair your beer with pinball as there are a few pinball machines here, too.

Santa Ana River Brewing is Santa Ana’s first craft brewery, serving up hop-forward ales in the style of west coast brewing. They provide innovative takes on classic styles while creating their own inventive brews. When I visited Santa Ana River Brewing, I tried the Aqua Del Rio, an easy drinking Mexican-style lager. It was really smooth and refreshing.

Some other beers on tap include Orange Crate (blonde ale with orange peels), Fire to Twilight (dark saison), Hopplepuff (west coast double IPA), More Hops Than Brains, Oops I Hopped It Again and others. As you can tell, they do really enjoy their hops here. There’s always something a little bit experimental being dreamed up on their rotating taps, so I’d be interested to hear which beer you try when you go there.

Things to Do in Santa Ana: Coffee Shops

As a coffee fiend, I’m always looking for the best coffee when I go anywhere. Naturally, I found some amazing coffee shops in Santa Ana that I’m delighted to share with you, my coffee seeking friends!

Hidden House Coffee

Hidden House Coffee is a gem of a cafe, tucked away in a 120 year old historic house beneath a canopy of trees. The rustic decor continues as you enter the coffee shop, complete with wooden accents and comfy seating. This is a great place to meet with friends, work on your laptop, or simply enjoy an excellent brew.

This Santa Ana coffee roaster takes their beans seriously. They source fresh, high quality beans directly from the farmers and roast them for the perfect cup. I sampled an oat cappuccino when I visited Hidden House Coffee which was smooth, soothing, yet energizing.

Hidden House Coffee is also a bakery where you can even peer through the glass into the production facility to watch their famous croissants made before your eyes. I love how they offer vegan treats, too. I paired my coffee with a vegan chocolate chip cookie that was irresistible. Then, I enjoyed my coffee and sweet treat in the back garden patio behind the cafe, which had the ideal peaceful vibes I needed to start my day.

Corazon Coffee

When you’re exploring the attractions of downtown Santa Ana, you may want to refuel or rest your legs. Pop by Corazon Coffee, a Latina-owned coffee bar serving up espresso beverages with a Latin twist. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff will help you choose your new favorite drink.

I couldn’t resist trying their famous rose latte with oat milk and their house-made rose syrup. With “corazón” meaning “the heart”, “love” or “affection”, it felt like the perfect choice. Plus, there’s a beautiful mural on the cafe wall that seemed to match my latte, don’t you think?

Whether it’s a hot or iced coffee or a drink from their matcha menu, you’ll be able to return to Corazon Coffee again and again to try new drinks. They offer different ones throughout the seasons, too. Corazon Coffee is a great place to relax, get some work done, or meet with your friends.

Coffee Muse

If you find yourself in downtown Santa Ana, you’ve got to swing by Coffee Muse. They are a small batch coffee roaster, specializing in pour over coffee. They go beyond creating your average cup of coffee where it’s expertly tailored, just for you. I loved seeing their roasting equipment prominently displayed in the window.

Coffee Muse shares a space with Collective2one9, a shop featuring local artists and artisans, as well as handmade goods. There are just a few tables to sit and enjoy your coffee, though I really liked wandering around the shop as I sipped my cold brew.

Coffee Muse makes their own syrups and they’ve got some innovative latte flavors, like Honey Nut Cheerios and Chocolate Mint. Try their Mexican Mocha, Dirty Vanilla Chai, Lavender or others. I’m sure the staff will whip up any of your favorite drinks or come up with something creative upon request.

Vegan Dining in Santa Ana, California

One of the best things to do in Santa Ana is experiencing the vegan dining. As I follow a vegan diet, I’m always looking for the best plant-based dishes everywhere I go. Santa Ana had even more amazing vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants than I thought. Plus, some of these spots were unlike any that I’ve seen anywhere else.

La Vegana Mexicana

La Vegana Mexicana is located inside the 4th Street Market, a popular food hall in downtown Santa Ana. Chef Loreta Ruiz, a James Beard 2021 Nominee, reimagines traditional Mexican dishes by creating completely plant-based versions. Many of the recipes are naturally vegan or nearly vegan to start, though Chef Ruiz adds her own original twists as well.

This is a family owned and operated small business where Chef Ruiz and her two grown children, Loreta and Alejandro, welcome you to taste delectable and sustainable Mexican plant-based cuisine. They’ve also been voted as having the best vegan tamales in LA and they’ve been featured by numerous prominent publications.

I sampled one of their “quesatacos”, a marriage between a quesadilla and a taco. It’s the first time I’ve tried a quesataco, and it was super flavorful. What a great idea!

Nice Burger

Nice Burger is a 100% vegan fast food restaurant in Santa Ana and Orange County. It’s a casual establishment that looks a bit like a 50s diner, and they also offer a drive thru, too. There are numerous vegan burgers, “chicken” burgers, a fish burger, non-dairy milkshakes, soft service ice cream, side dishes and even breakfast offerings.

Their soda machine has many interesting flavors by Stubborn Soda, including the refreshing pineapple soda that I tried. My faux chicken burger was really crispy and I loved the chipotle sauce. I only wish that I had a Nice Burger location closer to home so I could dine there more often!

SubVegan

SubVegan is a 100% vegan sub shop with tons of tasty sandwiches piled high with vegan meat, cheese and veggies. There are plant-based versions of Italian subs, club sandwiches, turkey subs, corned beef and many more.

I asked which ones were most popular and decided to try the “Light Warrior” on the staff’s recommendation (meatless turkey, provolone cheese, black olives, lettuce, pepperoncini, red onion, tomato, mayo and honey mustard). Not only were the toppings really delicious, but the bread itself was better than any other sub bread I’ve ever had.

Den Cafe

If there’s one spot in town that’s always catered to vegetarians and vegans, it’s the Den Cafe. Established in 1994 as Orange County’s “original alternative cafe”, it’s a restaurant, cafe, and music venue all in one. Visit for brunch on weekends, stop by for a light meal or coffee, or listen to local live music in the evening.

The walls are covered with art from floor to ceiling, which makes total sense as the restaurant is situated inside downtown Santa Ana’s “Artist Village”. It’s really easy to order vegan dishes as they’re all marked as such (so are gluten-free ones). I tried the Vegan Berry Waffle, a fluffy Belgian waffle topped with strawberries, blueberries, coconut cream and maple syrup.

Wursthaus

Is this Santa Ana or is it Germany? Wursthaus makes you feel like you’re dining inside a German beer hall! Serving up refreshing pints and sausages, it’s a great place to meet your friends or make new ones on the shared wooden tables.

There are vegan sausages and great beer on tap, and I love how there are multiple kinds of mustard at each table. Stop by for lunch species, happy hour, or trivia nights on Wednesdays. Wursthaus is located in downtown Santa Ana.

Where to Stay in Santa Ana

I spent two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Santa Ana / Orange County, conveniently located in the middle of the city. The rooms are spacious with a comfortable bed, a couch and a flatscreen TV. I love that there were outlets right in the side of the couch, which made it easy to plug in my laptop and get some work done.

Looking for more places to stay in Santa Ana? Use the handy map below. It shows all hotels, apartments and accommodations. Enter your travel dates for more precise details. Click on each property to learn more and book your stay.