Metrolink Weekends - Daycations - Santa Ana

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  • Plan Your Daycation at

    Santa Ana

    Back to all Daycations
    Bring curiosity and an appetite

    Your visit begins at the Metrolink station (also known as the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center) and moves on to world-class museums, a charming zoo, and Downtown Santa Ana, an artsy area with a vintage vibe featuring galleries, theaters, boutiques, and sidewalk cafés.

    Metrolink train lines
    • Orange County Line

    • Inland Empire-Orange County Line

    Delicious
    Artistic
    Historic
  • Plan Your Daycation

    The Best of Santa Ana

    Make the most of your visit with our carefully curated ideas. Watch for exclusive deals courtesy of our Metrolink partners – just show your Metrolink ticket. Enjoy like a tourist. Act like a local.

  • Day Trips

    Santa Ana For Kids

    Santa Ana offers plenty of places for kids and families to play and explore. A zoo. Science center. Museums.

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    Downtown Foodie Tour

    Finding fantastic foodie hot spots is worth an excursion on Metrolink to discover delicious dining opportunities.

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    Downtown History Tour

    Perhaps it is time for you to discover Santa Ana’s Historic District.

    Learn more
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    FUN THINGS TO DO

    Downtown Santa Ana

    Downtown Santa Ana packs eclectic restaurants, one-of-a-kind retail shops, independent breweries, weekly pop-up markets, art studios, historic buildings and fascinating architecture into a strollable smorgasbord. Spend a few delightful hours enjoying this unique area.

    From station: Take Route 862
    Bowers Museum and Kidseum

    Voted the Best Museum in Orange County, this gem features carefully curated exhibits from the Ancient Arts of China to First Californians the magical art of Disney. The perfect activity for the whole family, with a special Kidseum for children.

    From station: Take OC Bus 83
    Discovery Cube

    In this tall black cube balancing on one corner, there’s always something new to discover at the more than 100 hands-on exhibits that engage all ages.

    From station: Take OC Bus 83
    Santa Ana Zoo

    Adventure awaits at this right-sized, conservation-friendly, chock-full-of-monkeys zoo where you can see a camel with two humps, bright red birds with long curved beaks, and even a giant anteater – then ride the train and 50 Monkeys Ferris Wheel.

    From station: Take OC Bus Routes 83 & 59
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    GREAT PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

    Benchmark Restaurant

    A modern restaurant, with a market-driven, upscale casual menu, offering local, fresh and seasonal fare

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Chapter One

    Show your Metrolink ticket or OCBus pass and get 20% off your total purchase.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    20% off
    Buqqa Mediterranean Grill

    Show your Metrolink ticket or OCBus pass and get 20% off food purchases.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    20% off food
    4th Street Market

    Voted Best Food Hall in Orange County with a delicious and always-changing selection for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Coffee Muse

    Coffee that is crafted from the ground up and tailored to you.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Crave Restaurant

    Gourmet seasonal food prepared with the freshest ingredients. A local favorite.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Cafecito Cultura

    Located in Downtown Santa Ana, Cafecito Cultura has a variety of great coffee, fresh pastries and authentic Mexican food.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Chevita’s Juice & Bagels

    Chevita’s Juice & Bagels is a family owned restaurant that serves delicious bagels and natural juices!

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Breakfast bagel and juice for $11
    Daily Kombucha

    10% discount on select items when you mention OC Streetcar. Max $10 off.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    El Rincon Mexicano

    El Rincon Mexicano serves deliciously authentic Mexican food and drinks.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Buy one breakfast get second one for 50% off
    Kaizen Shabu

    Enjoy Shabu at home! Call ahead and order to-go from 12 PM – 8 PM.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Orders over $150 get a free tabletop burner rental
    Kebab Place

    Kebab Place serves high quality organic and halal Mediterranean food with the best value and service!

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    10 % off family platters
    La Michoacana Express

    Service authentic Mexican treats in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana including paletas, ice cream, esquite, tostilocos, mangoneadas, shakes, and much more.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    La Vegana Mexicana

    La Vegana Mexicana is proudly family-owned and operated. We offer plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, traditional Mexican food.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Pambazos every Wednesday
    Lola Gaspar

    Lola Gaspar is a cozy tapas joint that serves up Latin and Spanish small plates, plus creative cocktails, in a small place.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Taco Pack $25
    Mercado Modern

    We are a modern Mexican restaurant featuring dishes from around Mexico; our dishes are healthy and well balanced.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Happy Hour Food & Taco Tuesday Specials
    Munchies Vegan Diner

    Munchies is a modern diner offering a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free options!

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Vegan and gluten-free options
    Naughty Panda

    Asian inspired plant-based foods that taste like the real thing!

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Signature orange chicken bowl
    Restaurante Las Cazuelas

    Open seven days a week, this authentic Mexican restaurant serves homemade tortillas and makes their agua frescas daily.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Taco Tuesday specials
    Taquerias Guadalajara

    1 tacos on Taco Tuesday from 2 - 9PM

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    The Deli Station

    Stop by to try the Special of the Month

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    The Den Cafe

    Part coffee house, part full-service restaurant/café, and part live venue.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    $10 bottomless mimosas
    The Pizza Press

    Build your own pizza or choose from one of our signature pizzas.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
    Small pie + small garlic cheesy bread
    Wursthaus

    An authentic Euro-dining experience bringing you hand-made sausages.

    From station: Take OCBus 862
  • Area Map

How to Get There

Everything you need to know, including train schedules and tips on buying tickets and riding Metrolink trains. Easy!

Download PDF of Rail System
  • Good to Know Before You Go

    • Taking OC Bus is easy and inexpensive. OC Bus is free with your Metrolink pass! Ride convenient Route 862 from the station direct to Downtown Santa Ana.

    • Have kids? On weekends, kids up to 17 years old ride free! On weekdays, kids 5 years old and under ride free, and ages 6 to 18 receive a 25% discount off regular one-way or round-trip fares. Each paying adult can bring up to three free on Metrolink.

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