South Anaheim Anaheim, CA

Saint Junipero Serra gave Santa Ana its name after the Gaspar de Portola expedition out of Mexico City in 1769, and the Mission San Juan Capistrano was established in the valley in 1776. The original Glenn L. Martin aviation company called Santa Ana home in 1912, before merging with the Wright Company in 1916. Today, Santa Ana remains the seat of Orange County, with one of the largest populations in the state.

A strong focus on community and the arts make the Bowers Museum and Discovery Cube favorites among locals. Admire the mission-style architecture of the Bowers Museum before heading in to view the expansive collection of paintings, sculptures and ancient artifacts. The Discovery Cube lets kids explore science and art through interactive exhibits and presentations, while annual events such as the Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off bring residents together to celebrate neighborhood pride with good fun and great eats.

Be sure to stop by Thuyen Vien vegetarian restaurant to try some authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Consider the vegetarian rendition of the famous Vietnamese dish, pho. This soup is cooked with fresh chives, mushrooms, tofu and rice noodles in a savory broth. Taste the fresh flavors of the banana tacos, tempura-battered banana flower atop a fresh tomato cucumber salsa on a crisp rice cracker. Some other popular dishes include the garlic soy chicken and the soy fish clay pot.

Locals head to Crazy Chi-Mac for the best fried chicken in town. The restaurant serves up Korean-style fried chicken with a variety of flavors to choose from, such as sweet and spicy or BBQ chicken. Wet your whistle with some Korean beer, or try a melon soju cocktail made with traditional Korean liquor. If you're feeling daring, try some fried chicken gizzard with a hearty helping of vegetables.

Going out in the South Anaheim area presents plenty of options, including dive bars, lounges and clubs. Chill out at Fusion Ultra Lounge for some hookah, or visit on the weekend to dance to the live DJ.

Locals usually head to Take 5 dive bar for a good time and some cold drinks. Dial up your favorite tune on the jukebox while you sip on a Long Island and catch up with friends. Be sure to stop by for taco Tuesdays, where tacos are only $2. If you're in the mood for some live music, be sure to attend the annual free summer concerts at the Concerts in the Canyon festival that's held every summer.

Conveniently situated in the North corner of Orange County, South Anaheim is accessible to the rest of the county and outlying areas. It should only take around 15 minutes to drive from South Anaheim to the center of the city via West Broadway. Disneyland is only a short 20-minute drive away, making an easy weekend getaway.

On-street parking and public parking lots are located throughout the city. A few public bus routes service the area, as well as a train that connects to other cities in Orange County and Los Angeles.

There are numerous bicycling trails around South Anaheim that connect to outlying areas and around the city.

Hailing a cab is a breeze with the rideshare and taxi service Uber. The company provides quick and reliable service to Southwest Anaheim and surrounding areas.

Visit Modjeska Park to get out and enjoy the sunny California weather. Bring the kids out to play on the playground while you grill up some food on the barbecue pit in the picnic area. The park also includes a skate park, soccer field, baseball field and a volleyball court. Grab the neighbors and head out to watch a baseball game for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.

The park is dog-friendly, so you can take your pooch for a walk; just be sure to keep him on a leash.

Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in South Anaheim generally costs around $1,165.91, which is slightly higher than the average rental costs for Anaheim.

Gas prices settle around 11 percent higher than the national average, and a pint of beer at a local pub costs about $5 to $6. Overall, the cost of living in South Anaheim is only slightly higher than the average for Orange County. Residents will attest to the fact that the numerous entertainment options and laid-back lifestyle make up for the small difference in living costs.

South Anaheim provides an exciting and novel shopping experience that fits any budget. Stores such as Savers, Forever 21, and TJ Maxx are easily accessible from the area. Find that vintage '50s party dress or stylish printed scarf you have been searching for when you head to boutiques such as Lulu's Boutique, G-Stage, or LaLa's Boutique. G-Stage sells trendy accessories such as leggings, nail polish, and scarves. It also stocks unique clothing items such as casual wear, chic party dresses, and classy professional wear. Stock your pantry with groceries from Ralphs or Wal-Mart Supercenter.