Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana likes to call itself Orange County's Downtown and it is the administrative center of government for this vast and diverse county south of Los Angeles. It's a microcosm of the region, too, as Hispanic immigration remakes what was once a solidly Anglo area. Today, Santa Ana's population of 340,000 is about three-quarters Hispanic and the Fiestas Patrias parade draws hundreds of thousands to Santa Ana in September to celebrate the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

There are roughly 78,000 housing units scattered throughout Santa Ana, including apartments and condominiums. Some of the more prominent neighborhoods in the city include:

• Situated at the northern tip of the city, Floral Park is a neighborhood known for its palm tree-lined streets and vintage homes. Most of the residential dwellings that comprise Floral Park were built between the 1920s and the 1950s. More than 30 homes in the Floral Park area are Registered Historical Landmarks, and residents of this district take particular pride in preserving that history.
• Loaded with history, the Eastside neighborhood has been a part of Santa Ana since the city's founding in 1869. One of the largest neighborhoods, the district is primarily residential, although a number of shops and businesses can be found along University Avenue.
• The Riverview West area features a wide variety of homes, including several that were constructed in the mid-20th century. The neighborhood's newer homes are generally situated along Euclid Avenue. Residents of Riverview West frequent the numerous small businesses and big retail chains located along Harbor Boulevard.
• A popular area for families, the Washington Square neighborhood is located in the northern section of Santa Ana. Residents regularly host community events, such as holiday parties for children and wine tastings. The community awards the title of "Most Beautiful Yard" to residents with particularly well-kept lawns and gardens.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Santa Ana is home to several major corporations, including the regional headquarters for Xerox and T-Mobile. Some other notable businesses and big employers in Santa Ana include:

• Rickenbacker (a musical instrument company)
• Troy Group, Inc.
• Acme Communications
• Ingram Micro, Inc.
• Behr Paint
• Wahoo's Fish Taco

HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE

Some of the area's leading hospitals include:

• St. Joseph Hospital of Orange
• Santa Ana Hospital Medical Center
• Children's Hospital of Orange
• Kindred Hospital
• HealthSouth Tustin Rehabilitation Hospital

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Bowers Museum: This history museum maintains a large permanent collection of Central American artifacts, while also hosting a wide range of special exhibitions throughout the year. The museum also features a Kidseum, dining, shopping, and membership options for frequent visitors.
• Centennial Heritage Museum: This historic Victorian plaza is home to the famous Kellogg House, built by Hiram Clay Kellogg. It is now the centerpiece of the district, which boasts several other buildings constructed during the early 1890s. Educational tours, tea parties, and weddings all take place at the museum.
• Discovery Science Center: This two-floor nonprofit organization is home to numerous science exhibits, including a fossil dig for children, a 4-D theater, and an air and space area. The center is a popular spot for field trips and educational outings.
• Santa Ana Firefighter's Museum: Detailed murals and firefighter memorabilia both past and present are available to visitors. Kids can have fun at the interactive area, where they can test out the museum's dispatching equipment.
• Santa Ana Zoo: Built in 1960, the zoo is home to a number of botanical gardens, barnyard animals, and exotic fauna. The zoo also offers educational tours, and is a popular spot for birthday parties.
• Galaxy Concert Theatre: Nationally recognized bands, as well as local artists, make music at this popular Santa Ana spot. Visitors can make dinner reservations and enjoy a fine meal to accompany the music.

EDUCATION

Area educational institutions include:

• Santa Ana College: A public community college belonging to the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
• Located right in Santa Ana, the University of Redlands Orange County campus offers teaching credentials and Master's degrees.
• Art Institute of California-Orange County
• Taft Law School and William Howard Taft University, offering MBA programs and graduate degrees in education.
• Trinity Law and Graduate School, a private, Christian-based institution.
• Newbridge College, which offers job-specific degrees for the health care industry.

GETTING AROUND

• Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) runs through Santa Ana.
• The Costa Mesa Freeway (Route 55) and the Garden Grove Freeway (Route 22) run along the city's borders.

DID YOU KNOW?

Famous Santa Ana residents have included:

• Diane Keaton (actress)
• Matt Leinart (professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals)
• Marlon Brando (actor)

LOCAL MEDIA

Santa Ana falls within the Los Angeles media market, so residents enjoy dozens of high-quality radio and TV stations.

Several newspapers cover Santa Ana, including:

• Orange County Register
• Excelsior
• Miniondas
• OC Now