Westminster, CA Area Guide

Westminster officially became part of Orange County in 1957, when it was known as a agricultural city. In the late 1970's after the Vietnam war, many Vietnamese people immigrated to the United States and settled in Westminster. Westminster has the biggest Vietnamese population in the world outside of Vietnam. The population of Vietnamese immigrants rose so rapidly that the area in which they lived quickly became known as Little Saigon.

Stop by Blakey Historical Park to see what life was like in the 19th and 20th centuries in Westminster. The mission period exhibit fascinates visitors because it makes it apparent how much Westminster has changed in such a short time. The museum opens to the public the first Sunday of each month, and tours can be scheduled for classes and senior citizen groups any day of the week.

Westminster is a spread-out city with many tasty food options in various neighborhoods.

One of the best places to eat Vietnamese food is Quan Bun Ban Mai, which brings the flavors of Vietnam to Westminster. Make sure to order the canh bun because you won't find a better soup outside of Vietnam. Add some shrimp paste to it to make it taste truly authentic.

If you're looking for excellent Mediterranean food, Kebab Grill satisfies all of your needs. The restaurant serves some of the best falafel in California. It's prepared fresh daily and has a great crunchy exterior. Grab a plate of chicken kebabs and hummus, which are local favorites.

Renato's serves the best Italian food in Westminster. All the pastas and sausages are made fresh, and many locals feel they have the best pizza in town.

Westminster has some great bars and clubs. Make your way to Bart's Pub in the evening when you're ready to relax and get your drink on as this pub features great drink specials. Play some music of the jukebox and hang out with your friends. Pool tables are abundant at Bart's Pub, so be prepared to dust off your stick and play a few games. Thursday nights bring out the professionals for this pub's weekly tournament.

Break out your dancing shoes for XO Night Club which plays hip hop and dance music. It gets really busy on Saturday nights and hosts a fun "hump day" celebration every Wednesday night.

Westminster is big and spread out, so driving is the most convenient way to get anywhere. The 405 and 22 freeways are accessible around the city and lead to all parts of California. If you like to walk, park your car in Little Saigon and stroll from store to store without running out of places to explore. The OCTA provides comfortable buses and routes throughout the city, and a ticket costs around $2.00. Taxis aren't easy to hail down on the street, so keep the number of a taxi company handy for when you need a ride. Also keep in mind that Uber isn't an option in Westminster. Westminster features nice bikes lanes throughout the city, but most people drive because the city is too spread out to get everywhere by bicycle.

Sigler Park Splash Pad brings the fun of getting wet to the park, with free admission making it a great choice for low-budget family activity. When the heat starts to rise in the summer time, there's no better place to take the family than this water park. Bring a bathing suit and some snacks, and enjoy a day out with your children.

Liberty Park brings friends and family together with its basketball courts, picnic tables and skate park. Bring lunch, and then enjoy it one of the shaded picnic areas to avoid the heat. Dogs are welcome on a leash, so bring your furry friend along for a day of fun.

The Tet Parade celebrates Vietnamese New Year annually with a procession on Bolsa Avenue. Also, don't miss the Cho Hoa Flower Festival which takes place in January at the Asian Garden Mall.

Westminster is cheaper than the Orange County average, but 6.7 percent higher than the California average and 42.4 percent higher than the national average. When looking for a place to rent, expect to pay around $1,300 a month. A glass of beer at a local establishment costs around $5 a pint, so a night on the town won't break the bank. Gas prices sit just 5 percent more than the national average.

Go to the Asian Garden Mall for a fun shopping experience. Jewelry shops, stationary stores and a food court are just a few things check out. When your feet get tired, grab a bench near the fountain in the middle of the mall and people-watch for a while. Stop by the Westminster Mall for all of your shopping needs. The Tech Center provides repair service for your favorite gadgets, so breaking your iPhone doesn't have to be a tragedy. Take in your PlayStation or DVD player for a quick fix as well since this establishment works on all sorts of electronics. A PinUps Closet features a great selection of vintage clothing for men and women. This little gem carries lots of brand names such as Lucky 13 and Too Fast. It also has a nice selection of corsets from which to choose. For a day of high-end shopping, South Coast Plaza in neighboring Costa Mesa is a great place to go. With shops such as Chanel and Hugo Boss, finding high-quality clothes in this shopping area is easy. There are many grocery stores spread throughout Westminster such as Pavilions, Jons International Marketplace and Stater Bros. Shun-Fat Supermarket and ABC Supermarket are great Vietnamese grocery stores in the area as well. For a farmer's market, stop by the Westminster Mall parking lot Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and pick up some local produce.