Santa Ana, CA

The city of Santa Ana came from humble beginnings in 1869, when William H. Spurgeon purchased 74 acres for a pittance. Spurgeon opened a general store in the small city and also became the postmaster. The city began to experience population growth in 1874 with the introduction of the Santa Fe railroad. By 1905 the city was connected to Los Angeles by train as well, opening up more opportunities for trade and travel. Be sure to drop by the Heritage Museum of Orange County for more information regarding the fascinating history of the area.

Dining in the Santa Ana area blends classic all-American cuisine with the various techniques and flavors of California-style gastronomy.

If you're looking for a unique dining experience, be sure to check out the Playground. This restaurant puts a local twist on the classic upscale dining experience. The menu changes daily, but Playground always serves up gourmet cuisine made from local ingredients and cooked to perfection. From filet mignon to burgers, everything made at Playhouse is prepared with care. Enjoy a specially handpicked craft beer with your meal, and stop in for the weekly Sunday supper meal special that includes 14 courses.

Crave dishes out the best breakfast in town. The extensive breakfast menu ranges from the classics, such as French toast, to options that include the açai fruit bowl and garden frittatas. If you're feeling creative, customize your own omelet, choosing from an array of fresh ingredients. Order the BLTA sandwich, which includes applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on a crispy sourdough bread. Sample the flavors of Venezuelan cuisine when you dine at Mil Jugos. Order up some arepas, soft pockets of dough filled with tender, slowly cooked beef. Mil Jugos provides a wide variety of freshly squeezed juices, such as passion fruit, cantaloupe and papaya juice. Chow down on the queso chachapa, a sweet cornbread stuffed with cream and cheese.

Like most of Southern California, driving is by far the most common way to get around Santa Ana. It takes around 15 minutes to drive from Santa Ana to Anaheim on the 5. That same route will get you to Los Angeles in under an hour, making it easily accessible for a weekend getaway to the big city. Public on-street parking is widely available throughout the city.

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) provides numerous bus routes that run throughout Santa Ana, which makes public transportation an affordable option for commuting to work.

There are extensive bicycle trails that run throughout the city, including a trail that runs along the river. The area is also easily walkable due to its high concentration of amenities.

The Santa Ana area is full of parks and natural areas, from the small neighborhood greenspaces in the city to the massive nature preserves just outside of town. Be sure to check out Santiago Creek Wildlife and Watershed Center: Walk or bike along the park's 10 miles of paved trails, grill up some burgers on the BBQ in the secluded picnic area, or take the kids to play on the playground. The park also houses a tennis court and a baseball field. It’s also a dog-friendly area so you can feel free to bring your canine companions for a walk.

The median monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in the Santa Ana area is around $1,700, which is fairly consistent with the broader Orange County area.

Gas prices hover around 11 percent higher than the national average. A one-way ticket on the Orange County public transit bus costs $2, and a full day pass costs $5. The overall cost of living in the Santa Ana area is about the same as the average for the state of California.

Along with unique specialty stores, Santa Ana provides all the shopping staples from bargain stores to high-end retailers, including Goodwill, Forever 21 and Nordstrom.

Spend your afternoon browsing upscale shops such as Niko Mika boutique in the trendy East End section of downtown. Niko Mika caters to fashion enthusiasts, carrying hip and chic clothing items bound to turn heads. Niko Mika stocks unique high-quality items not found in chain stores.

Fill up your pantry with groceries from stores such as Trader Joe's, Ralphs, Food 4 Less or Vons. DTSA Farmers' Market promotes wellness and clean living. At DTSA, discover fresh organic produce, handmade products, pieces from local artists and more. From organic grass-fed beef to freshly picked apples from the orchard, healthy options abound at this farmers market.

Old Orange County Courthouse, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, Bristol Swap Mall, Flower Street Park, Santa Ana High School, Grand Central Art Center, 4th Street Market, Discovery Cube Orange County, MainPlace Mall