Founded in 1869 but with a history dating back to a hundred years before, Santa Ana acts as the county seat and sits almost in the center of Orange County. Its long history means diverse housing options including contemporary lofts in an urban downtown core surrounded by well-kept tract homes in retro-style suburban developments. Among typical Santa Ana real estate, Craftsman and Victorian beauties shine in fully restored glory or beg for tender loving care. With Interstate 5 cutting through the northeast corner of town and State Routes 55 and 22 straddling the eastern and northern borders, respectively, car commuters gain convenient access to other cities in the county as well as Los Angeles.
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As the second largest city in the county, Santa Ana boasts a population of over 335,000, as of January 2015. Almost 80 percent of the people living here is Latino, having occupied the area almost since 1769, when José Antonio Yorba, a Spanish expedition soldier, developed his land grant in the area for farming and grazing cattle. Comprised of families and the single working-class, this population lives primarily around the downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods like Fairhaven, Floral Park, and Centennial Park. They enjoy what is arguably the best Mexican and Central American food in the county, as well as their California-fusion variations.
Since about the 1980's, the city has been energizing the downtown core by creating the Santa Ana Artist's Village, anchored by the Grand Central Art Center, an exhibition space administered by Cal State Fullerton. Aside from the expected artist and galleries, the area attracts hipsters who flock to the recently-built multi-story purpose-built lofts some with working spaces on the first floor. These upscale consumers encourage fusion restaurants and late-night haunts that seem to move into storefronts as soon as they become vacant.
North Main Street, between the Santiago Creek Trail and West 19th, provides fun and education for the entire family through a trio of museums within walking distance of each other. All feature changing traveling exhibits so you keep coming back for more.
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Enough walking and biking trails crisscross the city that wherever you choose to live, you're never far from outdoor recreation. Reigning over all of them, however, is the Santa Ana River Trail, if only for its length. Stretching nearly 30 miles from Huntington Beach to the line between Orange and Riverside Counties, this multi-use thoroughfare offers a paved two-lane path for runners, bicyclists, and equestrians. Access is available at points where city roads and parks intersect the river.
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Numerous independently owned boutiques, well-known chains, and strip malls grants plenty of places to buy groceries, clothes, electronics, and home decor.
For a typical Southern California indoor experience, head to MainPlace Mall where over 200 retailers tempt your dollar. Well-known department stores like Nordstorm, JCPenney, and Macy's anchor this consumer paradise while numerous eateries keep you well-fueled. Parking is free and plentiful except during major holidays when you'll need to come early to secure a space. Incidentally, the biggest indoor mall in Southern California, South Coast Plaza, shares its official Costa Mesa location with the southern border of Santa Ana .
A more traditional downtown experience awaits you at East 4th Street between North Broadway and North Main. At this Latino enclave, a bit of Spanish is helpful in negotiating for quinceañera gowns or ordering cold and refreshing paletas at stores that are mostly independently owned. Many of the historic buildings here date back to the early 20th century. For a quick treat, grab a fresh fruit cup or churro from a sidewalk cart.
There's no need to choose just one hangout when 4th Street Market offers several diversions. This latest hipster hangout surrounds reclaimed wood table tops and industrial-style chairs with stalls serving up creative culinary concoctions like a Pork Belly Burrito from Dos Chinos, Craft Ice Cream Sammich® from Chunk-N-Chip, or craft beer from Recess. If you can, grab a seat at the much-lauded outdoor patio where you can find free entertainment from some of the county's best performers.
