Santa Ana

Travel Guide

Santa Ana
Bowers Museum which includes interior views
Santa Ana
Discovery Science Center featuring interior views
Lyon Air Museum showing aircraft

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 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
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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 Disneyland® Resort.

Riverview West
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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
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
Santa Ana Zoo featuring signage and zoo animals

Lyon Street

4/5(6 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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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
Hilton Anaheim

Hilton Anaheim

4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA
The price is CA $227 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
CA $227
CA $268 total
Jul 30 - Jul 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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,380 reviews)
"Friendly, helpful staff; clean room; convenient to the Anaheim Convention Center and Disney"

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

Hilton Anaheim
Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate

Motel 6 Anaheim Maingate

2 out of 5
Anaheim
The price is CA $110 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
CA $110
CA $129 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
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. ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,860 reviews)
"Such a great option for something close to the Disney parks, but still affordable and clean! Only annoying thing was having to pay for parking."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

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 CA $243 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
CA $243
CA $286 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy free WiFi, free water park access, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,410 reviews)
"The hotel was great, the staff was wonderful! Location was ideal for all the parks! Walking distance to Disney and restaurants. I think this property would have been perfect if it offered breakfast or had an in house restaurant. It was awesome either way!"

Reviewed on Jul. 14, 2025

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
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 (305 reviews)
"Good service!"

Reviewed on Feb. 2, 2025

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 condo in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (38 reviews)
Great place!
"Place was exactly as described!!! Everything was perfect!!!"

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2025

Cozy 2 Bedroom-2 Full Bath Condo;Art District DTSA
Spacious Retreat With Scenic Mountain Views

Spacious Retreat With Scenic Mountain Views

2 out of 5
Santa Ana
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Popular attractions Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Honda Center are located nearby.
Spacious Retreat With Scenic Mountain Views
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

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 48%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I loved outside the hotel, what I came to see and went to amazing places to see and will remember those over this hotel.

4/5 - Good

Carolyn

Very beautiful area of Orange County. The weather was awesome for October!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It was very nice.

Cities near Santa Ana