Santa Ana is a beautiful Southern California city. It’s one of the most densely populated cities in the country – and also one of the most diverse, so if you love people and being part of a thriving and diverse community, Santa Ana may be a wonderful choice. It is also a city that offers beautiful weather year-round, amazing views of the Santa Ana mountains, and is located only ten miles north of the California coast. In addition to all of the outdoor beauty that Santa Ana offers, there’s plenty to see and do indoors too, all year round. Truly, Santa Ana would make a wonderful place to call home!
A Look at Santa Ana’s History
The area that is now Santa Ana was founded by William Spurgeon, who was riding through on horseback. As legend has it, Spurgeon was riding through the town on horseback and paused to climb a sycamore tree and have a look around. Apparently, he liked what he saw so much that he decided to build a town there. He constructed a courthouse in the center of town which still stands today. Over the years, Santa Ana continued to grow steadily, both because of its proximity to larger cities like Los Angeles, and in its own right. Today, it is a thriving, eclectic, and diverse community that offers something for everyone.
Santa Ana - A Few Fun Facts
Read more fun facts about Santa Ana here.
The LGBTQ Community in Santa Ana
Santa Ana is a city with a growing and thriving LGBTQ community that is well-supported by a variety of community resources, including:
The LGBTQ Center of Orange County
The LGBTQ Center of Orange County is a community center dedicated to advocating for the rights of and pursuing equality and recognition for the LGBTQ community in the area through programs, events, resources, and services provided year-round in any number of ways.
GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Orange County, is dedicated to its role as a dynamic media force dedicated to provoking important dialogue that will lead to lasting and necessary community change. It is dedicated to supporting and promoting the interests of the LGBTQ community in the Orange County area, and to helping ensure that everyone can enjoy a life that they love.
PFLAG Orange County serves Santa Ana and other cities in Orange County and is the area's local chapter of the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country and is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
What's the Weather Like in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana offers no shortage of the sunshine that Southern California is so well known for. In addition to plenty of sunshine, Santa Ana weather is generally mild and beautiful year-round, with the temperature in July reaching a high of around 82°F, and the lows in January averaging around 47°F. Santa Ana receives significantly less than the national average of rainfall – only 13 inches per year, and no snow.
The Best Events in Santa Ana
For those who live in the Orange County area, the annual Los Angeles Pride event is one not to be missed and is worth the drive from Santa Ana. The festivities draw more than 200,000 visitors each year, and between parties, parades, events, performances, networking opportunities, and plenty of activities, everyone is sure to have fun and feel proud of the rich, diverse, and thriving LGBTQ community in the area, and of all that it adds to Orange County.
Orange County Pride is one of the county's very popular LGBTQ pride celebrations and is often held in Santa Ana. The weekly festivities include parades, parties, networking events, and more, and the week is a great way to make new friends, support important causes, and celebrate all that the LGBTQ community adds to the greater Santa Ana area.
Where to Live in Santa Ana
Unlike some other cities that have one particular “gayborhood” where most of the LGBTQ community lives, Santa Ana’s LGBTQ community is spread out in neighborhoods all over the city. There are many wonderful places to live, and choosing one will largely be a matter of personal preference and lifestyle needs. Many of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods are characterized by beautiful Spanish Mission architecture, and there are many historic neighborhoods with mature tree-lined streets.
One area that tends to be popular with Santa Ana’s gay community is The Artist's Village. The Artist’s Village is an area full of many unique businesses and diverse people, and it’s a very walkable and welcoming community. The median list price of homes currently for sale in The Artist’s Village is approximately $775,000.
Another popular neighborhood is the Downtown Santa Ana area. Downtown Santa Ana has experienced significant growth and renovation in recent years and is known for being a hip area, rich with cultural activity and plenty to see and do. The median sale price of homes sold over the last year in Downtown Santa Ana was approximately $315,000.
Arts and Entertainment
Based in nearby Los Angeles, Celebration Theatre is a performing theatre group dedicating to entertaining, inspiring, and empowering the LGBTQ community with innovative productions, and to be a catalyst for change in the community. You won’t want to miss the chance to enjoy a show – or several – for yourself.
The Orange County Museum of Art is a modern and contemporary art museum located in Santa Ana. The museum showcases a wide variety of art created by talented artists from around the world, and a visit is a wonderful way to spend a day feeling inspired and being both educated and entertained.
Parks and Recreation
It would be hard to discuss outdoor recreation in Santa Ana without mentioning its beautiful beaches. In fact, Orange County has several beautiful beaches, each with its own unique vibe – but all equally stunning and wonderful places to spend the day relaxing and soaking up the surf and sun.
When the water flows down the Santa Ana Mountains, the majority of that water goes into the Santiago Creek. The creek is 34 miles long and flows into the Santa Ana River. There are plenty of trails near the creek, and it’s a wonderful area to enjoy a beautiful day in Santa Ana biking, hiking, fishing, running, or simply sitting outside on a blanket and enjoying a good book or a picnic with friends.
Santa Ana Nightlife
This Victorian-themed LGBTQ saloon is a popular LGBTQ nightspot in Santa Ana – and with good reason. Tin Lizzie’s offers great drinks, friendly crowds, regular themed nights, and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere where all can feel welcome and have fun.
The Fling is a laid-back, retro-feeling LGBTQ bar that originally opened in the 1970s, and has been a popular nightspot ever since. Guests can enjoy nightly live music, strong drinks, and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Contact a Santa Ana Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Santa Ana, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Santa Ana, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Santa Ana gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
