Bowers Museum
Internationally renowned cultural institution featuring rotating exhibitions from prestigious museums worldwide including the British Museum, Smithsonian, and Louvre. The museum's permanent collection spans 100,000 years of human creativity across six continents, with particular strength in Pacific Rim cultures, Native American art, and contemporary California artists. Recent exhibitions have included "Mummies: Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt" and "Spirits and Headhunters: Art of the Pacific Islands."
Address: 2002 N Main St
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
Admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors/students
Artists Village
Orange County's premier arts district where converted industrial warehouses house over 40 working artist studios, galleries, and creative spaces. This 12-block cultural corridor features everything from traditional painting and sculpture to cutting-edge digital art and experimental installations. Monthly art walks draw thousands of visitors to experience live demonstrations, artist talks, and exclusive previews of new exhibitions. The district also hosts the annual "Dia de los Muertos" art installations and contemporary Latino art showcases.
Location: Downtown Santa Ana Arts District
Art Walk: First Saturday monthly, 6-10pm
Parking: Street and municipal lots
Historic Orange County Courthouse
Magnificent 1901 Romanesque Revival courthouse designed by C.E. Mead, featuring distinctive red brick construction and iconic clock tower that has served as Santa Ana's architectural landmark for over 120 years. This National Historic Landmark houses the Old Orange County Courthouse Museum, showcasing the region's legal history, vintage courtrooms, and exhibits on Orange County's development from agricultural community to metropolitan center. The building's restoration preserved original hardwood floors, stained glass windows, and period furnishings.
Address: 211 W Santa Ana Blvd
Tours: Self-guided, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Admission: Free
Discovery Cube Orange County
Interactive science museum featuring hands-on exhibits designed to inspire curiosity about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The 59,000-square-foot facility includes the popular "Dino Quest" paleontology experience, "Hockey: Faster Than Ever" sports science exhibit, and the "Quake Zone" earthquake simulator. Special programs include overnight "Sleepover" events, summer science camps, and educational workshops for all ages. The museum's distinctive cube architecture makes it a recognizable landmark in Santa Ana's skyline.
Address: 2500 N Main St
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Admission: $19.95 general admission
Heritage Museum of Orange County
Dedicated to preserving and interpreting Orange County's diverse cultural heritage through authentic artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays. The museum's collection includes Native American Tongva artifacts, Spanish colonial period items, Mexican rancho era materials, and early American settlement documents. Special exhibitions focus on the contributions of Latino, Asian, and other immigrant communities to Orange County's development. The museum also maintains an extensive genealogical research library and oral history archive.
Address: 3101 W Harvard St
Hours: Wed-Sun 1pm-5pm
Research Library: By appointment
Downtown Historic District
California's most intact collection of early 20th-century commercial architecture, featuring over 50 restored buildings from the 1900-1930 era. This 20-block district showcases Spanish Colonial Revival, Art Deco, and Mission Revival architectural styles alongside contemporary restaurants, craft breweries, and boutique shops. Notable landmarks include the 1926 Yost Theater, the historic Santora Building arts complex, and the restored Santa Ana Train Depot. The district serves as the epicenter for cultural events, farmers markets, and nightlife.
Area: 4th Street to Civic Center
Parking: Multiple municipal structures
Walking Tours: Self-guided maps available
Centennial Regional Park
Santa Ana's largest recreational facility spanning 238 acres with diverse amenities including a 44-acre lake for fishing and boating, championship golf course, sports complexes, and extensive hiking trails. The park features the Santa Ana Zoo, home to over 150 species with a focus on Central and South American animals. Additional attractions include the Centennial Heritage Museum, vintage carousel, and amphitheater hosting outdoor concerts and cultural festivals. The park's design incorporates native California landscaping and sustainable water management systems.
Address: 3000 W Edinger Ave
Hours: Daily 7am-10pm
Activities: Golf, fishing, zoo, trails
French Park Cultural Center
Community cultural hub featuring a blend of recreational facilities and arts programming that reflects Santa Ana's multicultural identity. The center hosts traditional Mexican folk dance classes, mariachi workshops, visual arts exhibitions, and community festivals throughout the year. Facilities include basketball courts, soccer fields, a community garden, and multipurpose rooms for cultural events. The park serves as a gathering place for local families and hosts the popular "Movies in the Park" summer series featuring both English and Spanish-language films.
Address: 3840 W 1st St
Programs: Cultural classes and events
Community Garden: Open to residents
4th Street Market
Innovative food hall showcasing Santa Ana's diverse culinary landscape with over 20 local vendors offering everything from traditional Mexican street food to contemporary fusion cuisine. This adaptive reuse project transformed a historic building into a modern marketplace featuring artisanal coffee roasters, craft beer brewers, and specialty food producers. The market emphasizes local entrepreneurship, with many vendors being first-generation immigrants sharing authentic family recipes. Regular events include cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and live music performances.
Address: 201 E 4th St
Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
Vendors: 20+ local food businesses