Santa Ana, CA

Travel Guide

Lyon Air Museum which includes an airport and aircraft
Bowers Museum showing interior views
Lyon Air Museum which includes aircraft and signage
Discovery Science Center which includes interior views
Lyon Air Museum featuring 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

Default Image

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 The Market Place and Santa Ana Zoo.

North Tustin
Default Image

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
Santa Ana

Downtown Santa Ana

When in Downtown Santa Ana, you can plan a visit to Old Orange County Courthouse and Bowers Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Downtown Santa Ana
Santa Ana Zoo featuring signage and zoo animals

Lyon Street

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
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
Default Image

Riverview

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Riverview and surrounding area, you can visit Bowers Museum and The Outlets at Orange.

Riverview
Holiday Inn Santa Ana Orange County Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Santa Ana Orange County Airport by IHG

3 out of 5
2726 S Grand Ave Santa Ana CA
The price is NT$2,837 per night from Dec 22 to Dec 23
NT$2,837
NT$3,211 total
Dec 22 - Dec 23
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,119 reviews)
Clean room, friendly and helpful staff.

Reviewed on 2025/12/8

Holiday Inn Santa Ana Orange County Airport by IHG
Hilton Anaheim

Hilton Anaheim

4 out of 5
777 W Convention Way Anaheim CA
The price is NT$3,242 per night from Jan 3 to Jan 4
NT$3,242
NT$3,846 total
Jan 3 - 2026/1/4
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (440 reviews)
Great place.

Reviewed on 2025/12/12

Hilton Anaheim
Anaheim Marriott Hotel

Anaheim Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
700 W Convention Way Anaheim CA
The price is NT$4,745 per night from Jan 5 to Jan 6
NT$4,745
NT$5,585 total
Jan 5 - 2026/1/6
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Anaheim. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,261 reviews)
Staff was so welcoming and nice

Reviewed on 2025/12/9

Anaheim Marriott Hotel
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 vacation home in Santa Ana. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Disney California Adventure® Park and Downtown ...
6.8/10 (310 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on 2025/8/20

West Coast Inn - Near Gem Theatre
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
Book a stay at this historic aparthotel in Long Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and an attached winery. Popular attractions Long Beach Cruise Terminal ...
7.4/10 Good! (911 reviews)
This is a great find and very convenient. Great area

Reviewed on 2025/12/10

The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach

Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach

3.5 out of 5
316 E Shoreline Drive Long Beach CA
Book a stay at this beach houseboat in Long Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and furnished balconies or patios. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (262 reviews)
Loved it! Unusual place to stay but it sure beat a traditional hotel. We stayed only 1 night because we were there to board a cruise the next day. Staff was very pleasant and gave us all kinds of options for what to do while we were there. I'll be back!

Reviewed on 2025/11/26

Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach
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

Reviews of Santa Ana

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
277
5 - Excellent 26%
4 - Good
476
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
247
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
29
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
20
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I love orange county. I had never seeing nothing like this it make me sad to see all this..

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lots of homeless hanging around parking and no control over smoking areas

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Santa Ana is a great city to enjoy yourself and have wonderful adventures.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Leaving

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It's a very clean and nice place to visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Vwry peaceful & quiet

Cities near Santa Ana