Santa Ana Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Santa Ana
Bowers Museum featuring interior views
Santa Ana
Discovery Science Center showing 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 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 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, The Market Place 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 Disney California Adventure® Park and Disneyland® Resort.

Riverview West
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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
Discovery Science Center which includes 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

Henninger Park

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

Henninger Park
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 Old Orange County Courthouse and Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse.

Downtown Santa Ana
MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels
MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels
2.5 out of 5
2701 Hotel Terrace, Santa Ana, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,571 per night from 28 May to 29 May
₹8,571
₹9,702 total
28 May - 29 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Ana. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,128 reviews)
"It is closed to evrything, great place, good size room but is missing a little stove, i think by the size of the room would be nice, otherwize is great"

Reviewed on 15 May 2025

MainStay Suites John Wayne Airport by Choice Hotels
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Anaheim by IHG
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Anaheim by IHG
3 out of 5
1240 S Walnut St, Anaheim, CA
The price is ₹10,006 per night from 22 May to 23 May
₹10,006
₹11,726 total
22 May - 23 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free water park access and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,647 reviews)
"It feels safe since you need your key card to enter each door 👍"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Anaheim by IHG
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Hyatt Regency Orange County
4 out of 5
11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
The price is ₹10,104 per night from 18 May to 19 May
₹10,104
₹13,843 total
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Garden Grove. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (5,224 reviews)
"This place is THE BEST Shout out to the breakfast crew making us moms feel extra special.Also to valet team both day and night shifts always smiling, professional and efficient. Wished we tipped more but disneyland took it all 😅😂thank you again. We thank u. We see you 🙏"

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Hyatt Regency Orange County
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, CA
Stay at this holiday home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Disney California Adventure® Park and Downtown Disney® ...
"Good service!"

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2025

West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
Capistrano Surfside Inn
Capistrano Surfside Inn
3 out of 5
34680 Coast Highway, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, CA
Stay at this 3-star condo in Dana Point. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (139 reviews)
"Staying at Surfside Inn felt like we were home with all its comforts."

Reviewed on 16 May 2025

Capistrano Surfside Inn
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 Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and an on-site winery. Popular attractions Long Beach Cruise Terminal ...
7.4/10 Good! (872 reviews)
"This hotel was super cute. I enjoyed my stay here a lot. The rooms were clean and have full kitchens, which is really convenient if you’re staying longer than a night or two. Checking in was kind of a pain in the butt because I was there after hours but overall it was a nice place and I will be staying ..."

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2025

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.

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