Things to Do in Santa Ana (2025)

A local cultural anchor since 1936, Bowers brings world-class traveling shows and community festivals to Santa Ana; recent coverage highlighted its role in Southern California’s museum scene, and the museum confirms regular hours and rotating exhibits on its site.

Run by Cal State Fullerton with the City of Santa Ana, GCAC programs timely exhibitions and Artwalk nights that spotlight regional and international artists; current and upcoming shows listed for 2025 confirm it’s an active hub for contemporary work.

OC’s nonprofit arthouse cinema screens everything from cult classics to international festivals and collaborates with local partners; its 2025 calendar and special series underscore why it’s often called a cultural anchor for Downtown Santa Ana.

A member-driven nonprofit founded in 1980, OCCCA offers free admission, smartly curated exhibitions, and Artwalk receptions; 2025 programming confirms an active schedule and deep ties to Santa Ana’s Artists Village.

Delilah Snell’s specialty market and cafe celebrates the foods and wines of the U.S.–Mexico borderlands through breakfast, lunch, and classes; the shop’s calendar and daily hours confirm it’s a living community space, not just a place to eat.

A longtime Santora Building favorite, this independent cocktail bar and taqueria leans into Mexico’s culinary traditions with mezcal-forward drinks and a neighborhood vibe; praised by local food writers, it remains a DTSA standby for late-night bites.

Baker Karlo Evaristo’s wildly popular bakery draws lines for ube cruffins, blue-corn sourdough, and inventive pastries; featured by the Los Angeles Times in 2025, it’s open Thu–Sun until sellout and pairs beautifully with nearby artist studios.

A Groovy New Restaurant Called Le Hut Dinette Opens in Santa Ana | Eater LA

Opening February 22, 2025 in a remodeled Quonset hut (a corrugated steel structure shaped like half a barrel), this new-school diner from Heritage barbecue owners Daniel and Brenda Castillo features a high-ceiling dining room and a menu by veteran chef Ryan Garlitos, previously at Michelin-starred (and now-closed) Taco María and modern Filipino restaurant Irenia. The friendly West Texas diner–inflected menu includes pork chile verde tacos, chili cheese fries, brisket barbacoa tacos (with the smoked beef sourced from the Castillos’ San Juan Capistrano barbecue restaurant), and chocolate bibingka; the team also hosted a Valentine’s Day–themed tasting with roast duck adobo over creamy garlic rice, chicken French onion soup, smoked salmon terrine with 61 Hundred’s blue corn sourdough bread, and pork steak with ginger-scallion salsa verde, with flavors described as balanced and comforting without being too aggressive. The project joins the Castillos’ growing empire — their celebrated Heritage Barbecue (opened July 2021) earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and was featured in an Eater video, and they opened Heritage Beer in Oceanside in 2023 — and the space was previously planned as a brisket taco spot (announced February 2024) before morphing into this modern diner concept. Located next to Santa Ana’s recently relocated 61 Hundred Bread, a modern sourdough bakery known for long lines for inventive loaves and thoughtful pastries, the restaurant will begin with daytime service (11 a.m.–3 p.m. on opening day) with dinner service to commence a few weeks later; the relaxing retro-inspired interior includes a hi-fi audio system, counter seats, wide banquettes, and a front outdoor patio seating up to 24 people, and Castillo told Eater he eventually plans to convert the current space into the restaurant’s bar and finish the rest of the Quonset hut as an indoor dining room. - Matthew Kang

On the west side of John Wayne Airport, this independent museum showcases operational WWII aircraft, autos, and memorabilia with docent-led stories; current hours and exhibits are maintained by the museum, confirming it’s open daily for visits.

This 1889 Queen Anne home of Orange County’s pioneering woman doctor opens monthly with docent tours and themed programs; upcoming 2025 events and city mentions confirm it’s active, and PBS SoCal has spotlighted its preservation story.

A grassroots, BIPOC-centered bookstore and arts cooperative hosting readings, open mics, and exhibits; the 2025 events calendar shows it thriving despite funding headwinds, and the Los Angeles Times has chronicled its community impact.

An independently run club and concert room with a steady slate of Latin, indie, and tribute nights, La Santa’s 2025 calendar confirms regular shows that draw locals before—and long after—Artwalk.