Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Santa Ana with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Santa Ana on the map
📍 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
World-art galleries with rotating exhibitions plus family festivals and hands-on art programs throughout the year.
~$18 adultFree days in Santa Ana
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
Bowers Museum
Free every Sunday for Santa Ana residents (proof of residency)
OC's premier art and cultural museum, with a free family festival the first Sunday monthly. Santa Ana residents get free general admission every Sunday with proof of residency.
Farmers 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.
Festivals & annual events in Santa Ana
What Santa Ana is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Fiestas Patrias Festival & Parade
A 45-year-old downtown Santa Ana street festival marking Mexican Independence Day — a Sunday parade on Main Street, carnival rides, food vendors and an El Grito ceremony Saturday night.
Free; carnival rides and food extra
Discovery Cube OC — Seasonal Festivals
A hands-on science playground with signature seasonal events like the fall Pumpkin Launch — learning disguised as a full day of fun.
~$20 admission
Noche de Altares
A volunteer-run Dia de los Muertos street event held since 2002 on Fourth Street, where families and community groups build memorial altars alongside music, dance and food vendors.
Free
Chicano Heritage Festival
A city-run festival at Centennial Park celebrating Santa Ana's Mexican American history, with live performances, a lowrider cruise and show, food vendors and a kids zone. Running since 2022.
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
Santa Ana family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Santa Ana with kids?
Family favorites in and around Santa Ana include Discovery Cube OC, Santa Ana Zoo and Bowers Museum. Our guide lists 3 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Where can families eat in Santa Ana?
Local, family-friendly spots in Santa Ana include Taqueria Los Grandes, Tito's La Especial, Bandito Taqueria and Birrieria & Pupuseria Jalisco, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Santa Ana guide cover?
Our Santa Ana family guide includes 3 things to do, 14 local eats, 3 local shops and 1 farmers market — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Santa Ana
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Santa Ana on one map — then book on your favorite site.