Santa Ana

Morrison Park’s suburban feel is undeniable: meticulously groomed yards and neighborhood parks tucked in between spacious midcentury ranch-style homes. Residents enjoy the family-friendly setting as the neighborhood continues to develop. “It’s a nice diverse neighborhood. There are a lot of residents who have been there for many years and some newcomers,” says Realtor Sarah Covarrubias who works with Seven Gables Real Estate and has over two decades of experience in the area. The established suburb has been built-up to keep things convenient, boasting newer townhouses and large shopping plazas. A mere 3 miles from downtown Santa Ana, the distance to the city center and attractions like Disneyland also brings new neighbors to the growing community. In Morrison Park, neighbors stroll along sidewalks shaded by palm and eucalyptus trees. They pass by landscaped yards with backyard pools and midcentury architecture. “They have houses built in the 1960s and ‘70s. The majority are quite a few large — houses with four and five bedrooms,” Covarrubias says. Other than these ranch-style homes, there are Tudor Revivals and Mediterranean homes. Ranch-style homes range from $650,000 to $1.5 million, while Mediterranean houses range from $1 million to $1.9 million. “Home prices have increased a lot at Morrison Park partly because of its perfect location,” says Pam Xu, broker at Sunpride Realty and longtime Southern California resident. “Santa Ana is known for the masonry of old houses and their good yard sizes; however, many of these homes need remodeling and upkeep. It’s another reason people are turning to townhouses. These homes are newer and although smaller in size, they are also a bit more affordable compared to single-family homes.” Prospective homebuyers may find various townhouses with Homeowners Association (HOA) fees that range from $750,000 to $900,000. While most students are served by Santa Ana Unified School District, some may be served by Orange Unified School District and Garden Grove Unified School District. Those attending Santa Ana schools may begin at Santiago Elementary School, which has a B-minus Niche rating. Frances E. Willard Intermediate School scores a C and Santa Ana High School earns a B-minus. Santa Ana High School offers the much-recognized SanArts program, where students may pursue their artistic paths in fields of studio or digital art, music, theater and more. Some families opt to send their children to Orangewood Academy, a local private school with an A rating on Niche. Additionally, the neighborhood is also located near many colleges, including Chapman University and Santa Ana College. The neighborhood’s namesake park, Morrison Park, has basketball, tennis courts and more. “It's a sweet little park with a playground and a field. A lot of neighbors bring their kids. It’s kind of cool because it’s situated among homes, so it has a family neighborhood feel.” Covarrubias says. Also located in the neighborhood, Eldridge Park features walking paths shaded by plentiful trees. Nearby Riverview Park offers the 18-hole, public Riverview Golf Course for golfers to perfect their swings. At Santiago Park, people can practice their aim on the archery range or stroll along paved trails lined with birch trees. Kids delight in the updated playgrounds, just reopened in 2023 as part of the Santiago Park renovation. Bristol Marketplace, a large strip mall south of the neighborhood, is home to big-box retailers such as Target, CVS and a Smart & Final grocery store. Mexican grocery stores Northgate Gonzalez Market and Jimenez Ranch Market are also nearby for additional choices. As for restaurants, Saddle Ranch Chop House is popular Western-themed restaurant known for its signature centerpiece, a mechanical bull, which has been featured on shows like “Desperate Housewives” and “Six Feet Under.” Located 6 miles south of the neighborhood, South Coast Plaza is one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in Southern California, attracting locals and international visitors with nearly 300 designer boutique stores, including Chanel and Gucci. Some of the biggest attractions in Greater Los Angeles, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are just 5 miles from the neighborhood. The iconic theme parks have entertained families from around the world with Disney characters, thrilling rides and fireworks shows. “The city takes pride in being the center of cultural attractions and the art scene, and for its heavily implanted Hispanic roots and Asian influence,” Xu says. The Bowers Museum is a cultural epicenter of Native American art and history, while the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art houses exhibitions in an artist-run gallery. Sports enthusiasts may have their share of fun while catching a big game at Angel Stadium, only 3 miles away. Morrison Park is a car-dependent community, so most residents use local interstates for their daily commutes. Only 3 miles from downtown Santa Ana, neighbors can get to the city center easily. Interstate 5 takes people into downtown Los Angeles, which is 30 miles away. Residents can get to Irvine and Newport Beach via California State Route 55. “Santa Ana is known as the downtown of Orange County because of its proximity to Anaheim, Orange, Irvine and basically everywhere in Orange County,” Xu says. For those who prefer public transit, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serves most of Santa Ana’s neighborhoods. Metrolink offers train services across Southern California, and Amtrak has routes available for major cities such as San Francisco and New York. For a nearby hospital, the University of California Irvine (UCI) Medical Center is about 2 miles away. John Wayne Airport is about 12 miles south.

True to its “village” name, Windsor Village is a compact community of neighbors who share a central greenspace, where gently curving streets loop into cul-de-sacs, limiting through-traffic. Within this peaceful Orange County suburb, residents can walk to schools and easily access retail and sports amenities. Teresa Knoll, a local Realtor who’s been selling in the area for 18 years, says, “Windsor Village is a stable neighborhood, close to everything — the Heritage Museum, the Santa Ana Zoo, and the freeway to John Wayne airport. Plus, you’re only a couple miles from the trendy, artsy Downtown Santa Ana Historic District and about 8 miles from Disneyland. There’s so much here that brings people into this community. It’s a very central, friendly place.” Throughout Windsor Village, established trees line sidewalks that connect small front yards. Many lawns are trimmed in decorative fencing or a patio paver and brick surrounds. Driveways are small; however, garages are common and street parking is plentiful. Single-level homes mostly built in the 1960s fill the neighborhood, maintaining a consistent midcentury style. Knoll says prices depend on a lot of factors. "It's offer and demand; the real estate market is very lean, and there's a lot of buyers out there.” Two- to four-bedroom homes range from about $700,000 to $950,000. To the north, condominiums and townhouses from the early 2000s are priced at around $750,000. Public schools are within the Santa Ana Unified School District, which Niche gives an overall B-plus. Kids can start at Andrew Jackson Elementary, which gets a C-plus grade on Niche. Students may then move on to Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy through eighth grade, given a C by Niche. Older students advance to Valley High, which earns a B grade from Niche and features standout Career Tech Ed programs, including Culinary Arts and Automotive Technology. Students can also apply via lottery system to attend the Advanced Learning Academy in Santiago which also gets a B from Niche. In the heart of Windsor Village, the 10-acre Windsor Park is a recreational cornerstone. Residents can walk across the street, or from backyards to meet at the playground, enjoy a picnic, go for a run, or walk dogs. Local athletes play baseball, tennis or basketball on Windsor Park’s courts and fields. On the southern end of the community, the nearly 70-acre Centennial Regional Park sits next to the Santa Ana College School of Continuing Education. It features a popular paved loop that meanders around a man-made lake. The sandy playground with ship-theme play equipment overlooks the lake. Amenities include the Dan Young Soccer Complex, a turf football field and a packed running track. A well-designed skate park here was recently renamed Pat McGuigan Skate Park to honor former City Councilmember Patricia McGuigan, who advocated for the park’s construction in 2002. Walkers, runners and bikers can also connect with the 60-mile Santa Ana River Trail that runs along Centennial Park. Small shops, casual eateries, and bakeries are all close to home, including Shakey’s Pizza Parlor and Dios Del Maiz Yun Katz Tortilleria — a go-to for Mexican grocery staples. Plus, it's only about 5 miles to the South Coast Plaza, a premier shopping destination with over 250 stores. The Santa Ana Zoo is a quick, 5-mile drive east, and all the oceanfront fun at Newport or Huntington Beach is within 10 miles. Says Knoll, “There’s a brand-new restaurant in the area, Three Roots Mexican Cocina, that’s already so popular. It’s very family-oriented, and locals love to have birthdays, quinceaneras, and executive meetings there. They offer cumbia and mariachi music on Fridays and free salsa lessons on Saturdays.” Residents from Windsor Village and surrounding communities look forward to the Fourth of July celebration in Centennial Regional Park. “And besides all the football games at Centennial Park,” adds Knoll, “we look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day in September and the Taste of Santa Ana Food Expo in October.” Orange County Transportation Authority provides public transit from South Fairview Avenue in Windsor Village to John Wayne Airport, which is only around 7 miles from home.

The small neighborhood of Artesia Pilar has much to offer. Located in the northwest of Santa Ana and bordered by the river of the same name, Artesia Pilar is home to a park, restaurants and shopping all within a few blocks. The neighborhood is a popular place for families and multigenerational living. Artesia Pilar is one of Santa Ana's older neighborhoods and is mostly built out. The tight residential blocks are compact. "They are definitely old-school," Tuesday Figueroa, a Realtor with Realty One Group Anaheim, who was born and raised in the area, says. "A lot of them were originally two-bedroom, one-bath models." She explains that many owners will increase the square footage with add-ons — "Most houses sell better with that extra bedroom or bathroom." It's common to see multigenerational families in the area, so many homes have accessory dwelling units to accommodate the needs of the homeowners. One bedroom and one bathroom start at $450,000, but larger cottages will go up to $600,000. Ranch-style homes, often painted brightly with Spanish influence, start at $650,000 and can sometimes exceed $1 million. With so much in a relatively small area, the neighborhood is easily walkable. Sidewalks connect residential blocks with interspersed commercial streets. The neighborhood's Walkability Score is 71 out of 100. The neighborhood's network of city blocks connects Artesia Pilar with many government buildings, like the courthouse and civic center. Interstate 5 runs just outside of the neighborhood. The city plans to increase accessible public transportation. Residents eagerly await the OC Streetcar service, which will traverse the neighborhood. It's anticipated to start in 2025. "It will go to the downtown where more pubs, eateries and shops are," Figueroa says. "Being able to hop on the trolley in the middle of your street will be one of the most exciting additions to the area." "There are some really great small businesses here," Figueroa says. "The restaurants are unique, fun to go into and have the best service, flair and spice," Figueroa says. Homeowners enjoy walking to locally-owned restaurants like Jugos Acapulco and Burritos La Palma. The neighborhood's busiest streets — Bristol, 1st and 17th — are full of local eateries. For shopping, residents head to the neighborhood's Santa Ana Plaza, which contains many small businesses from clothing stores to tattoo shops. Superior Grocers, just off 1st Street, keeps the community stocked with essentials. El Salvador Park is at the heart of the neighborhood. El Salvador Community Center operates within the park, allowing residents to visit with their neighbors at game nights and workshops. Visitors play basketball and baseball games at the lighted courts or enjoy walking or jogging on the trails. The community garden allows residents to garden produce and take classes. So close to the river, the neighborhood is ideally positioned by the Santa Ana River Trail, accessible from spots like Fairview Triangle, a pocket park. Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church is an important community fixture. Many residents attend services at the church and participate in events hosted by Our Lady of the Pillar throughout the year. The church is open for Mass and offers religious classes. The community stays bonded through the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Association, which promotes events like Summer Night Lights, held each Friday from July through August. The series has included a handball tournament, live music, and other family-friendly fun activities facilitated by the non-profit organization Neutral Ground in partnership with the city. Most kids will attend Lydia Romero-Cruz Academy from kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers dual language programs and extracurriculars and earned a C on Niche. They will continue to Middle College High School, rated A. Students can earn college credit through a dual enrollment program with Santa Ana College. After graduating, some students might enroll full-time in Santa Ana College, which is located in Artesia Pilar. The college earned a B and is rated the 49th best community college on Niche.

The Orange County housing market can be tough for first-time home buyers, which makes Santa Ana's budget-friendly Riverview neighborhood an appealing option for many. "This is a really nice neighborhood, especially if you're a first-time home buyer because the prices are more affordable here than in other Santa Ana neighborhoods, plus a lot of the homes have that midcentury, low profile look to them. Sort of like Cliff May homes. If you like that architectural style but can't afford something that's a million and a half dollars, this is where to look," says Sarah Covarrubias, Realtor with Seven Gables Real Estate. "If I was a first-time home buyer, I would buy here." The neighborhood is just 2 miles from Downtown Santa Ana, and residents also have easy access to Garden Grove and the city of Orange. Nearly all the homes in Riverview's residential north side were built in the 1950s. Many have been renovated to include modern appliances and open floor plans. Short driveways often lead to two-car garages, and while lot sizes run a bit small compared to other parts of Orange County, there is still plenty of room for manicured front yards and backyard patios. Most homes offer between 1,100 and 1,500 square feet of space and typically sell for $600,000 to $900,000. That said, it can be hard to find homes for sale in the neighborhood, as residents tend to stick around once they've moved into the neighborhood. The neighborhood's public schools, overseen by Santa Ana Unified School District, are generally considered solid options, though they're not as highly rated as those in nearby Garden Grove. Santiago Elementary K-8 and Santa Ana High School both have B-minus grades on Niche. Santa Ana High is the oldest and largest high school in Orange County and offers dual enrollment college-level courses through Santa Ana College, a community college located immediately south of Riverview. The college provides comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, medical personnel, firefighters and law enforcement. Public transportation in the area is overseen by the Orange County Transit Authority. Multiple bus routes run along 17th Street on the south side of the neighborhood, connecting Riverview to Downtown Santa Ana, Garden Grove and the City of Orange. The Santa Ana Metrolink station is also just 2 miles from the neighborhood. Most Riverview residents rely on private transportation, though. Interstate 5 links the neighborhood to Anaheim and Irvine, both roughly 10 miles from the neighborhood. State Highway 22 connects the neighborhood to Long Beach, a 20-mile drive from Riverview. Nine-acre Riverview Park features trails, athletic fields and a small playground, making it a popular spot for family outings and community events. Just north of the park, River View Golf Course is a public 18-hole course rated "Best Value in Orange County" by the Orange County Golf Guide. The park is also bordered by the Santa Ana River Trail, a popular cycling route that runs 30 miles from Huntington Beach all the way to San Bernadino County. Bristol Marketplace, the sizeable retail hub at the neighborhood's southern end, is home to a selection of major retailers, including Target, Big 5 Sporting Goods, and supermarket Smart & Final Extra. Additional shopping options can be found in Downtown Santa Ana and MainPlace Mall, which are both a 2-mile drive from the neighborhood. Old Towne Orange, which is regularly voted Orange County's best downtown by the Orange Country Register, is just 3 miles from Riverview. There are several popular low-key restaurants in and around the neighborhood, including Boy's Hamburgers #6 and El Rincon Chilango. For more diverse dining options, residents typically head to Old Towne Orange or central Santa Ana, where they can choose from dozens of different highly rated eateries offering cuisines from all over the globe.

West Floral Park offers a blend of suburban tranquility, community engagement, and convenient access to Downtown Santa Ana, making it a perfect landing spot for those looking for both a sense of community and easy access to urban amenities. “The best part about living here is the neighbors,” says Judith Goldstein, President of the West Floral Park Neighborhood Association. “The slogan on our newsletter is ‘Where neighbors turn into family and friends,’ and it’s so true. If someone needs something, there are at least seven neighbors ready to help,” she says. “Also, I think people are drawn here because of the price point. The homes are a little more affordable than Floral Park but a little higher than other neighborhoods, so it's in that sort of sweet spot.” Newcomers to West Floral Park will find primarily midcentury ranch-style homes with low-pitched roofs and big front-facing windows in a variety of muted colors and featuring unique design elements that give the streets a unique yet cohesive look. Exteriors are mostly stucco, though there are a few homes with clapboard or brick siding, too. Most homes sit on lots with manicured front yards and pools and patios in back yards. Sidewalks and trees line the streets, offering the perfect place for an afternoon stroll or walking to nearby schools and retailers. Prices range from $820,000 to $1.6 million, and most homes offer between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet of interior space. The area’s public schools are overseen by the Santa Ana Unified School District. Santiago Elementary, which serves transitional kindergarten to eighth grade, has a B-minus rating on Niche, as does nearby Santa Ana High. Established in 1889, Santa Ana High is the oldest high school in Orange County, and with approximately 3,000 students, it is also the largest high school in the county. Notable alums include Olympic gold medal diver Greg Louganis and actress Diane Keaton. Locals looking to spend some time in the fresh air typically head to one of the many nearby local green spaces. Santiago Park is one of the largest nearby outdoor areas, offering residents hiking trails, a nature center, and ample space for picnics and leisure activities. The park's natural creek and densely wooded areas provide a habitat for local wildlife and a green escape from the urban environment. Fisher Park, another local favorite, offers additional recreational opportunities with playgrounds and sports facilities. Residents looking to get a bit of exercise can also hop on the 30-mile Santa Ana River Trail, which runs all the way from Huntington Beach to Riverside County. The annual West Floral Park Open Garden Day is a highlight, inviting visitors to tour private gardens within the neighborhood. This event showcases the community’s dedication to gardening and landscape architecture, with residents opening their yards to the public to display a variety of garden designs and floral displays. Throughout the year, residents also engage in smaller block parties and seasonal celebrations, which are organized by the West Floral Park Neighborhood Association. Bristol Marketplace Mall, located on the west side of the neighborhood, is home to a number of shops, including Target, along with supermarket Smart & Final Extra. A wide variety of dining options can be found along 17th Street, including popular diner Boy’s Hamburgers and highly-rated Argentinian eatery Puerto Madero. When it’s time to commute, the I-5 freeway is conveniently close, connecting the neighborhood to Irvine to the South and Orange and Anaheim to the North. Public transportation is accessible, with several bus routes operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) running along the neighborhood’s main roads. West Floral Park is also just 10 miles from John Wayne Airport, which offers flights throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.