$993,480Average Value$673Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Older neighborhood preserves the best of the past for future residents
Originally orange and avocado groves, Washington Square likes to preserve the best of the past, like flowering fruit trees and old-fashioned neighborliness. While most trees were cleared to make room for houses, some of the original trees are still in neighborhood yards, and over 60% of residents are active participants in the Washington Square Neighborhood Association.
Streets in Washington Square are lined with tall, mature trees of various species.
An observant cat sitting in between a wrought-iron door and lush garden in Washington Square.
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Historic homes registered with the Mills Act
Bungalows, Spanish- and ranch-style homes sit on neatly manicured lots. Eaves often cover front entrances, and front-facing windows are large, letting in lots of natural light. Many of these homes are nearly a century old or older. Some residents enroll their homes in the Mills Act Program, California’s initiative to preserve and revitalize historic neighborhoods, which gives owners prestige and a significant tax break. Nina Jirik, resident and vice president of the Washington Square Neighborhood Association, says, "Whenever a house is sold in other areas, the house gets torn down. But here, everyone really wants to maintain the original details and integrity of the homes. People pride themselves on keeping it as original as possible.”
Homes don’t change hands often. Only a few homes have sold in the past few years, as most buyers tend to stay put for decades. Despite their age, some homes have only had two owners: the original buyer and the current resident. This longevity has fostered a strong sense of community. "You can't walk down the street without running into someone and stopping to have a conversation,” says Jirik.
When a home does come on the market, buyers will spend between $900,000 and a million for a ranch-style house, and between $600,000 and $900,000 on a Craftsman house. Tudor Revivals sell from $895,000 to over a million. “People are drawn to Washington Square for the uniqueness of the homes, the beauty of the neighborhood and the affordability. It’s similar to Floral Park and Park Santiago, but the homes are more affordable,” says Sarah Covarrubias, Realtor with Seven Gables Real Estate who has been selling Orange County homes for 25 years. “It’s just a beautiful neighborhood.”
Spanish-style homes in Washington Square can have features like arches and stucco exteriors.
Most homes in Washington Square are single-level houses with a variety of styles.
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Kids attend local Santa Ana Unified Schools
Most kids in the neighborhood will start school at Wilson Elementary School, graded B-minus by Niche, before advancing to Willard Intermediate School, graded C. From there, kids will attend Santa Ana High School, graded B-minus by Niche. Santa Ana High students have their choice of extracurriculars, like Elizabeth G. Macias Legal Studies Academy.
The neighborhood is also close to Santa Ana College. The community college is expanding its course catalog, which has attracted over 20,000 students.
Wilson Elementary School in Santa Ana, home of the Roadrunners.
Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, home of the Jaguars.
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Riverview Park and Santa Ana features
Although there aren’t any parks in the neighborhood, Washington Square is close to other community parks. Residents head to nearby Riverview Park, about a mile away from most homes, when they want fresh air. This sprawling nine-acre park features trails, basketball courts and a playground for kids. Tall trees shade the picnic tables scattered throughout the park, offering a scenic place to meet friends. The River View Golf Course is located within the park and is a public, 18-hole course rated "Best Value in Orange County” by the Orange County Golf Guide.
Washington Square is also close to other popular Santa Ana spots like the Bowers Museum, an art museum known for its Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican and Native American pieces. Families like the proximity to the Discovery Cube, an interactive science museum, and the Santa Ana Zoo.
Riverview Park in Santa Ana has open green space and picnic tables under tall, mature trees.
Washington Square residents can head to the Santa Ana River Trail for a walk or bike.
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Walking around Washington Square
The neighborhood’s network of sidewalks makes Washington Square a walkable area. Walk Score gave the neighborhood a score of 73 out of 100. Jirik says it’s common to see people out running errands or visiting neighbors. Because of the location, residents often walk to nearby downtown Santa Ana.
Many residents still own a car. West 17th Street borders the north of Washington Square and connects with Interstate 5 outside the neighborhood.
A resident walks her dog on a sidewalk in Washington Square.
Streets in Washington Square are wide and lined with tall, mature trees.
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Shopping and dining within walking distance
Washington Square is a residential area, but it has a couple of local restaurants, like Cortijo Cafe and El Barco, and some fast food options for residents who want to eat out without leaving the neighborhood. West 17th Street, a busy retail corridor, runs across the top of Washington Square for more options. Bristol Marketplace, a sizeable retail hub, sits at the intersection of West 17th Street and North Bristol Street, so residents are within walking distance of shopping at Target and Smart & Final Extra. For more options, residents head to downtown Santa Ana.
Bristol Square in Santa Ana has several dining options and small businesses.
Bristol Marketplace in Santa Ana has several big-box stores and small businesses.
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Washington Square Neighborhood Association sponsors events
The Washington Square Neighborhood Association hosts numerous events throughout the year. Residents enjoy the Spring Wine Garden, a neighborhood potluck where neighbors bring dishes to pair with the wine brought in by the Orange County Wine Society. They celebrate the Fourth of July with a bike parade, where local kids decorate their bikes. Throughout the year, Washington Square neighbors look forward to movie nights, Chili cook-offs, neighborhood cleanups and holiday parties. Jirik says the community is very involved and welcoming. She explained that her husband was already a resident prior to their meeting. She says, "When I married my husband, I didn't just marry a wonderful man. I married into a great community."
Students living near Washington Square can get higher education at Santa Ana College.
Washington Square is a neighborhood located in Santa Ana and is a short distance from downtown.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Washington Square
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Washington Square Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Washington Square, Santa Ana sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Washington Square, Santa Ana over the last 12 months is $992,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
APN #s: 405 - 321 - 08, 405 - 321 - 09, 405 - 321 – 12, 405 - 321 - 13 This is your opportunity to own more than an acre (approximately 58,000 sq ft) of residential land in the established Washington Square neighborhood of Santa Ana, near the revitalized downtown area and with close access to the 5, 22, 55 and 57 freeways. The parcels straddle the northern boundaries of both Olive and Lowell
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
