Santa Ana California Cultural Experiences You Must Visit

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On my recent hosted trip to Santa Ana, California with several other travel writers, I discovered an exciting place where culture, history and food blend. It’s the second largest city in Orange County, but I love its small-town multicultural vibe. Spanish, Mexican and American culture mix to form a perfect melting pot that will appeal to anyone who loves art, culture and ethnic food.

This trip was hosted but opinions are my own.

Old Orange County Courthouse

A red brick three story Art Deco building. — Historic Old County Courthouse. Photo Credit: Kathleen Walls

Why go: This is Southern California’s oldest court building, dedicated in 1901. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is a State of California Historic Landmark. Admission is free. Cool fact: the courthouse appears in several films including Legally Blond, Catch Me If You Can and Rainman.
What not to miss: The museum on the third floor gives a feel for the history and culture of Santa Ana. The courtroom is furnished as it was at the turn of the last century.

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Bowers Museum

In front, an open chariot drawn by four bronze horses, with a single standing driver and a bronze umbrella on a stand placed next to him. Behnd is "bronze chariot number two," a closed carriage with two seats and an umbrella-like roof, which is also drawn by four bronze horses at Bowers Museum. — A replica of the horses and bronze chariots that are part of the Terracotta Warriors exhibit. Photo credit: Kathleen Walls

Bowers Museum is huge and has permanent and rotating exhibits. Having our own docent-led tour of “World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century” was an amazing treat.

Why go: Bowers Museum is the largest museum in Orange County and one of the finest cultural art museums in the region. Cool fact: Bowers Museum often offers arts and craft activities; we painted our own colorful fans.
What not to miss: Besides the “Terracotta Warriors,” which is on view through October 19, 2025, the museum has much more ranging from “California Legacies: Missions and Ranchos” to New Guinea head hunters in “Art of the Pacific Islands.”

Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!

Lyon Air Museum

Lyon Air Museum, founded by Major General William Lyon, houses rare and historically significant aircraft and vehicles, including a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Mercedes-Benz Model G4 belonging to Adolf Hitler. It is just a few minutes from the John Wayne Airport so it’s a perfect stop on your way in or out of Santa Ana.

Why go: If you love antique cars and planes and the history behind them, this is a must-see.
What not to miss: My favorite there is a 1908 Bugatti Type 10, a lightweight racing car that was Ettore Bugatti’s first Bugatti.

Art of Santa Ana

A geometric design mural called 4th Street Market Mural covering an entire building with pinks ranging to purple on the top design and yellow to burnt sienna on bottom with street on side and front. — 4th Street Market Mural in Historic Downtown Santa Ana. Photo credit: Kathleen Walls

Santa Ana is home to 200+ street murals and sculptures. I can’t get them all in so I am mentioning my favorites. There’s also the Grand Central Art Center, originally built in 1922 as the central market for the Orange County region. Today, it’s a public art museum with free admission.

Why go: The public art tells Santa Ana’s history with colorful murals all over the city.
What not to miss: 4th Street Market Mural by Jouvon Michael Kingsby, a veteran and self-taught artist who painted his first mural in Saddam Hussein’s old bunker. Chinelos Mural by Moises Camacho shows figures of the Chinelos Carnival tradition of Morelos, Mexico that mocked Spanish colonial rule.

SheBuys Travel tip: You can download a guide to all the murals here.

Architecture of Santa Ana

The two story tan Santora Building with elaborate Churrigueresque decoration in the Artists Village. — Santora Building in the Artists Village. Photo credit: Kathleen Walls

William Henry Spurgeon founded Santa Ana and named it after the original Spanish land grant, Santiago de Santana. The city was incorporated in 1886, so most of the historic buildings date to the 1910s and 1920s. There’s an interactive map of historic buildings.

Why go: The architecture is amazing, ranging from Art Deco to Spanish Revival. The Historic Downtown District alone has about 100 historic buildings dating from the late 1870s to the mid 1930s.
What not to miss: These are my two favorites. The ornate Santora Building designed by architect Frank Lansdown with elaborate Churrigueresque decoration in the Artists Village. Santa Ana City Hall is a traditional Art Deco style on a marble base with a central four-story tower.

Santa Ana’s dining and drinks

A glass of green michelada with red salt rim sitting next to Cerveza Pacifico Clara carton. — A michelada sitting next to Cerveza Pacifico Clara, the beer used to make the drink. Photo credit Kathleen Walls

Santa Ana is home to its own Michelada Guide. Micheladas, a beer cocktail, is served in many restaurants. There’s a Santa Ana Culinary Passport.

Why go: Santa Ana has a diverse mix of dining, often mixing Mexican and Spanish traditional food with American.
Dining not to miss: Alta Baja Market has the largest selection of Mexican wine in the area and tasty breakfast, lunch and unique items. Don’t miss their must-try micheladas. Benchmark serves New American dishes crafted to celebrate the diverse flavors of the region. Café Cultura has a strong Mexican style in their food and decor.
Nightlife not to miss: Cerveza Cito besides their on-site brewed beer and micheladas, they have a fun lotería on Wednesday. Lola Gaspar is a cocktail bar and taqueria. It’s rated #1 in Orange County by Brad A. Johnson’s Top 50 places for Best Tacos.

Shopping

Red, black and various pastel quinceañera gowns on display. — A display of quinceañera gowns in store. Photo credit: Kathleen Walls

Shopping in Santa Ana ranges from RR Western Wear Casa del Sombrero to Mexican quinceañera gowns celebrating the coming-of-age for a girl’s 15th birthday, marking her transition from childhood to young womanhood. Orange Claw Club gives you a chance to capture cute plushies for a token in the claw machine. Bowers and Lyon museums have shops.

Why go: You will find things you won’t find back home whether as a gift or a souvenir.
What not to miss: We got to make our own art pinatas with Isaías D. Rodríguez, known as My Little Pinata Maker, at Collectve2one9, a micro-retail space with over 25 vendors offering crafted items ranging from clothing to art, household items, jewelry and more.

Holiday Inn Santa Ana-Orange County Airport Hotel

A hotel room with bed, lounge chair, table, desk and dresser with TV above it. — My room at Holiday Inn. Photo credit: Kathleen Walls

My Holiday Inn room was spacious and had all the amenities I needed. They have free Wi-Fi, a pool and a fitness center.

Why go: You will enjoy a comfortable room that is about 30 minutes from the airport.

What not to miss: I really appreciate their free parking and having tea as well as coffee in the room with the coffeemaker. Their Toast to Toast Restaurant & Bar serves an array of sandwiches, salads and appetizers and a full bar menu with beers on tap.