Santa Ana, California
Situated in the middle of Orange County along the Santa Ana River, the city of Santa Ana, California is the most populous city and the largest city in Orange County, covering 27.2 square miles. As of 2009, there were 355,662 people living in the city. More than 76 percent of its residents are of Hispanic origin; therefore Santa Ana has retained its rich cultural heritage. Founded as a farming town, the city has grown into the financial and governmental center of Orange County, which is appealing to those moving to Santa Ana.
Economy:
Santa Ana boasts more than 13,000 businesses. Its major industries include a mix of retail trade, service and manufacturing firms. Santa Ana is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Ingram Micro and First American Corp. Santa Ana is also home to the famous guitar manufacturer, Rickenbacker International Corporation. Santa Ana moving companies are in demand, as people are relocating to seek employment opportunities through these companies.
History:
Don Gaspár de Portolá, a Spanish expedition party leader, discovered the picturesque valley and river in Southern California. He christened the area, Santa Ana, in honor of Saint Anne on July 26, 1769. José Antonio Yorba, a youthful expedition soldier, and his nephew Juan Peralta, were given a Spanish land grant for the area. They developed the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana for cattle grazing and productive farmland. In 1869, William H. Spurgeon purchased 70 acres from the Yorba family and plotted a town site. The new town was given the name Santa Ana. In 1886, Santa Ana was incorporated as a city. Orange County was separated from Los Angeles in 1889, and Santa Ana was designated the County Seat.
Tourism:
For a city of modest size, Santa Ana provides an assortment of arts and cultural offerings. Some of the more notable include the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park, the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art and Bowers Kidseum. The downtown area contains retail and housing, as well as the Santa Ana Civic Center and the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse. Several historic homes dating from the late 1800s can be found here as well, making preservation a central issue as development of the downtown area continues. Not only does Orange County host world famous theme parks such as Disneyland and Knott's Berry farm, but the area surrounding Santa Ana is also home to attractions such as Wild Rivers Water Park, Discovery Science Center and Disney's California Adventures.
Colleges/Universities:
• Santa Ana College
• Southern California University
• Newbridge College
• Trinity Law and Graduate School
• Kensington College
Interesting Facts:
• The median age of residents in Santa Ana is 26.
• Santa Ana is the center of an area known as "the Golden Corridor."
• Funding per student in Santa Ana’s public schools is $4,682.
Helpful Links:
• Santa Ana Real Estate
• Santa Ana Storage Facility
• City of Santa Ana
• Santa Ana Moving Guide