Santa Ana Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Santa Ana
Bowers Museum showing interior views
Santa Ana
Discovery Science Center which includes 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 Centre. 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 theatre. 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 artefacts.

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 Colours 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 isn't home to many top sights, Irvine Regional Park and Santa Ana Zoo are some notable places to visit nearby.

North Tustin
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Riverview West

While Riverview West may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like David L. Baker Memorial Golf Center and Disney California Adventure® Park.

Riverview West
Discovery Science Center featuring interior views

Park Santiago

While visiting Park Santiago, you might make a stop by sights like Discovery Science Center and Santiago Park.

Park Santiago
Santa Ana

Downtown Santa Ana

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Downtown Santa Ana and surrounding area, you can visit Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse and Old Orange County Courthouse.

Downtown Santa Ana
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Lacy

When in Lacy, you can plan a visit to Old Orange County Courthouse and Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lacy
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Riverview

While Riverview may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bowers Museum and The Outlets at Orange.

Riverview
Hilton Anaheim

Hilton Anaheim

4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA
The price is AU$214 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
AU$214
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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! (3,552 reviews)
"Everything was pefect but the AC was too cold."

Reviewed on 19 Sept 2025

Hilton Anaheim
Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area

3.5 out of 5
101 E Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$306 per night from 30 Sept to 1 Oct
AU$306
30 Sept - 1 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,019 reviews)
"Amazing property for kids and adults. Full bar and an awesome outdoor water recreation area. They even did a night movie showing on the patio and we thought that was a great touch. Keep up the great work The FD staff was superb, greeted us with a smile and thanked us for arriving and for staying. ..."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area
Grand Legacy At the Park

Grand Legacy At the Park

4 out of 5
1650 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,665 reviews)
"We had a great stay here. They even put balloons and a small basket of treats on my daughter’s bed to celebrate her birthday! We would stay here again in the future."

Reviewed on 18 Sept 2025

Grand Legacy At the Park
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 (308 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
Guest House with its own entrance. Has WiFi and Close to Disneyland

Guest House with its own entrance. Has WiFi and Close to Disneyland

Santa Ana
Stay at this vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Angel Stadium of Anaheim and Disney California ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"It was as advertised, then some. The hosts were very attentive and responsive when issues arised.Would definite book again."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Guest House with its own entrance. Has WiFi and Close to Disneyland
Resort style living

Resort style living

Santa ana
Stay at this apartment in Santa Ana. Enjoy a fitness center, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions South Coast Plaza and Orange County Fairgrounds ...
No response
"We booked in advance prior to July 4th weekend, the host never responded with check in information is access to property leaving us stranded out of town with our 4 kids. Everything was booked nearby, I was on the phone with VRBO support for over an hour and it took us 4 hours to find something similar ..."

Reviewed on 7 July 2025

Resort style living
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

Activities

Reviews of Santa Ana

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 50%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Didn't spend much time there, just passing through

Cities near Santa Ana

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