Santa Ana: Recreation
Sightseeing
A major tourist attraction in Orange County is the historical district in downtown Santa Ana. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the 21-block area is among the largest such districts in the state of California. It contains 100 buildings constructed between 1877 and 1934; among them are the Old County Courthouse (now a museum featuring changing exhibits related to local and regional history), the Fox West Coast Theatre, and Old City Hall. The district also features homes of prominent Santa Ana citizens. Tours of the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House, a restored Queen Anne Style home built in the 1880s, are available the first Saturday of each month.
Fairhaven Memorial Park is situated on 73 acres and features an arboretum harboring nearly 1,000 trees and numerous plants from around the world. The park's historic mausoleum was built in 1916 of European marble and granite, with handcrafted stained-glass windows.
The Santa Ana Zoo is home to 260 animals and 84 species; among the rare and endangered species living at the zoo are the ring-tailed lemur, the margay cat, the white-handed gibbon, and the golden lion tamarin; the zoo welcomes 270,000 visitors each year. There are several other points of interest in Orange County, including world-famous Disneyland amusement park in Anaheim, and Knott's Berry Farm and the Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park.
Within driving distance of Santa Ana are the Universal Studios tour, Magic Mountain, Raging Waters amusement park, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo.
Arts and Culture
More than 1,000 cultural organizations are active in Orange County; among them are symphony orchestras, ballet companies, theater groups, and modern and folk dance troupes. Santa Ana is home to the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, which presents its summer season at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater and performs its regular season concerts at Segerstrom Hall in the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The center is one of three theater facilities in the nation to house all of the four performing arts—musical theater, symphony, opera, and ballet.
Among the other orchestras in the metropolitan area are the Orange County Youth Symphony and the American Youth Symphony. Theater groups include the South Coast Repertory Theatre; dance companies are the Gloria Newman Dance Theatre and the Penrod-Plastino Movement Theatre.
Artists Village is a thriving area of art galleries and studios. It includes the Santora Arts Complex, renowned for its flamboyant churrigueresque architecture, which offers the works of more than 38 artists in five galleries, including the Santa Ana College gallery; the Empire Market Building, which contains several galleries, artists' studios and a small theater; and the Cal State Fullerton Grand Central Art Center, which houses a student gallery and studios and the Alternative Repertory Theatre. The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is also located in the village.
One of Orange County's most prominent museums is located in Santa Ana. The famous Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, a Spanish mission style building, houses collections pertinent to Orange County and California history; Native American, Pacific Rim, and African cultures; and natural history; it also features a hands-on "Kidseum," a five-star restaurant, and shops. The nearby Discovery Museum of Orange County has exhibits that chronicle the history of Orange County back to the nineteenth century. The Natural
Sports for the Spectator
Santa Ana residents are within an easy drive of sporting events in Anaheim. The Major League Baseball Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play home games in the 45,050 seat Angel Stadium. The Fullerton State Titans and the Anteaters of the University of California at Irvine field National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams. Los Alamitos Race Course features parimutuel thorough-bred and harness racing.
Sports for the Participant
Santa Ana's mild climate invites year-round athletic enjoyment. Some of Southern California's finest beaches are minutes away, and the city is located only 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Mountain ski resorts are within easy driving distance.
Shopping and Dining
South Coast Plaza Village in Santa Ana is a European-style marketplace. With 25 incorporated cities in Orange County, each with its own central shopping district and community shopping centers, the shopper has endless opportunities. More than 20 major regional shopping malls feature national department stores, specialty shops, and boutiques. Santa Ana is also within easy driving distance of Beverly Hills' famous Rodeo Drive, which is lined with luxury and designer shops.
Santa Ana has dozens of restaurants that offer a variety of cuisine, including traditional American, Continental, Italian, Asian, and Mexican dishes.
Visitor Information: Anaheim/Orange County Visitors Bureau, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA, 92802; telephone (714)765-8888