Downtown Santa Ana Historic District

Modern glass and steel high-rise buildings now line the downtown Santa Ana skyline. It’s what you’d expect for the county seat of Orange County. Yet hidden in the shadows is a rich history and an amazing collection of 20th century buildings worth exploring.

Tell me about the architecture!
If you’re a history buff, take this architecture tour. It provides more details about 25 historic buildings such as:

Santora Building
Grand Central Market
Minter House
West End Theater
Masonic Temple
Old Orange County Courthouse
Howe-Waffle House
Old Santa Ana City Hall
W.H. Spurgeon Building

Getting here
Most spots are under a half-mile walk from the Broadway and Fourth Street area. Take OC Bus route 83 west from the Metrolink station to Broadway then walk south until you hit Fourth Street.

Fun places to take a break

Exploring all those historic buildings in Santa Ana does require some nourishment. There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments including a great ice cream shop.

Places to take a break
La Michoacana Express
The Den Café
Discount available
Chevitas Juice and Bagels
Discount available
4th Street Market
Discount available

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The train station

Be sure to explore the Santa Ana station when you arrive. Completed in 1985, its Mediterranean Revival design features arcades, decorative tile, curved outdoor staircases, two-faced clocks and beautiful wrought ironwork. It served as a filming location for the movie “Rain Man.

As the Instagram post suggests, you can take your bike on Metrolink and explore Santa Ana on two wheels!

Train schedules

We always suggest when planning your adventure to check the Metrolink train schedule to Santa Ana. Both the Orange County Line and the Inland Empire Orange County Line serve this destination.