Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Santa Ana with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
📍 Where Santa Ana is
Santa Ana sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: John Wayne / Orange County (~5 mi / 8 km). It's roughly 30 mi (49 km) from Downtown LA and 82 mi (132 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Santa Ana
Discovery Cube OC
Hands-on science with a hurricane chamber, dino dig, and rock-climbing wall — easily three hours of curious kid energy burned.
~$24.95 adult / $19.95 kid
Santa Ana Zoo
A compact, monkey-famous zoo with a farm, train, and carousel — perfectly sized for little legs in a single morning.
~$13 adult / $10 kid
Bowers Museum & Kidseum
World-art galleries next door to the hands-on Kidseum, where kids try costumes, masks, and crafts from cultures around the globe.
~$18 adult; Kidseum ~$8Farmers markets in Santa Ana
DTSA Certified Farmers' Market
Downtown Santa Ana market in the Artists Village with produce, prepared food, and a walkable arts-district setting.
Local restaurants in Santa Ana
Taqueria Los Grandes
Beloved taqueria slinging tacos, menudo, and enchiladas since 1989.
Tito's La Especial
Family-run since 1983, famous for steamed tacos al vapor.
Bandito Taqueria
Tijuana-style al carbon tacos with cult-favorite al pastor.
Birrieria & Pupuseria Jalisco
Family spot serving birria and made-to-order Salvadoran pupusas.
Quan Huong
Casual family Vietnamese with pho, banh mi, bun bo hue, and spring rolls.
Chunk n Chip
Family-owned small-batch ice cream and cookie sandwiches at 4th St Market.
La Michoacana Ice Cream
Mexican ice cream and fresh-fruit paletas — a fun, affordable treat.
DonerG Turkish & Mediterranean Grill
Family-run halal Turkish/Mediterranean grill with shawarma and kebabs.
Taquerias Guadalajara
Family taqueria since 1979 famous for birria tacos and quesatacos, a true neighborhood institution.
Tacos Sinaloa
Family-run spot praised for al pastor and asada tacos, sopes, and menudo at unbeatable prices.
Taqueria Tapatia
Casual neighborhood joint with high-quality al pastor, tortas, and burritos families pile into.
Cozy Corner
Tiny no-frills mom-and-pop burger counter beloved as one of OC's best classic griddle joints.
Local shops in Santa Ana
Nothing Usual
DIY-culture skate shop on 4th St carrying apparel, records, books, and zines.
GCS Clothing & Gallery
Streetwear, art gallery, and vinyl shop rooted in hip-hop culture since 1995.
Stanicky's Vintage & Co.
Family-run vintage shop on East 4th St that opened alongside the DTSA ArtWalk.
Seasonal & outdoors near Santa Ana
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Santa Ana.
More Orange County family guides
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.