This week I have the pleasure to be traveling with my Speech and Debate Team, The Growlers, to the beautiful state of California! Not only are we traveling to California, but our destination is Sana Ana! With this weeks blog, I will be sharing the top destination spots to visit while visiting this sunny, beautiful, beach town. This isn’t your usual top destinations to go to blog, so don’t expect Disneyland to be on this list, instead, I will be sharing “local places” for visitors to enjoy!
5. Bowers Museum of Cultural Arts
Founded in 1936 by the City of Santa Ana through a bequest from Charles and Ada Bowers, the Bowers Museum is one of California’s finest and Orange County’s largest museums. In 1986, the museum closed its doors for a period of self-study. In response to community needs and input, it reopened in 1992 as a new cultural center, and expanded children’s programming in 1994 with the opening of the Kidseum. The museum also recently celebrated the grand opening of the 30,000+ square-foot Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing in February 2007. To achieve its mission, the Bowers offers exhibitions, lectures, art classes, travel programs, children’s art education programs, and other special community programs.
Here is a link to the museum’s webpage for more information, as well as ticket pricing: https://www.bowers.org/index.php/visit/hours-tickets
4. Discovery Cube Orange County
Hands-on science education that delights, challenges, and encourages kids? The Discovery Science Foundation has made a positive difference in thousands of lives for 35 years. The foundation achieves this goal through four core initiatives: STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. These future-forward initiatives inspire educators, their students, and all of us committed to learning for life.
The museum’s original center in Orange County, as well as their newer Los Angeles and Newport Beach campuses, gives those seeking immersive, interactive science activities a way to jump into the learning fun. In addition to their campuses, educational outreach programs remain a major part of our mission. Bringing a host of experiences directly to learners is essential to achieving the foundation’s core initiatives. It’s a mission that also includes empowering real-world application by giving learners a chance to make a difference. This vision has made the foundation a prominent advocate for modern science education over the years. Spotlighting science as a solution and as a force for good is what the Discovery Science Foundation so successfully does.
Here is a link to the Discovery Cube’s webpage for further information on their most recent displays and information: https://oc.discoverycube.org/
3. Santa Ana Zoo
The property where the zoo sits today went through the ownership of several people during the early 1900s. After the property was foreclosed in 1929 and 1931, Joseph Edward Prentice bought the 19.23-acre site. He donated 16 acres to the city of Santa Ana in 1949 and stipulated that the zoo have at least fifty monkeys at all times. Construction of the zoo began that year, and it opened on March 8, 1952. A children’s zoo was soon built and the Flight Aviary, now known as the Jack Lynch Aviary, was completed in 1962. In 1983, the amphitheater was completed and the zoo gained AZA accreditation. The 1990s had three major events: in 1990, the Flight Aviary was upgraded and renamed the Jack Lynch Aviary; Amazon’s Edge opened in 1992; and Colors of the Amazon Aviary opened in 1996. In the 2000s, the Zoofari Express Train Ride opened in 2000, Crean Family Farm opened in 2004, and Tierra de las Pampas opened in 2010.
Here are a few of the exhibits:
Tierra De Las Pampas
In April 2010, Santa Ana Zoo opened a new exhibit, Tierra de las Pampas or “Land of the Grasses.” It is the first in a series of new exhibits. Covering 2 acres, Tierra de las Pampas houses giant anteaters in one exhibit, and greater rheas and guanacos in the larger one, with a footpath between them.
Rainforest Exhibit
The Rainforest Exhibit is a small exhibit that represents the Amazon, home to white-faced Saki monkey’s and green iguanas.
Amazon’s Edge
This exhibit, opened on September 1, 1993, replicates a section of the Brazilian rainforest. The exhibit consists of a water moat and a forested riverbank set against a cliff face, with a wooden deck for visitors to see the animals. The species on exhibit include howler monkeys, black-necked swans and crested screamers.
Colors of the Amazon Aviary
The 9,000-square-foot Colors of the Amazon Aviary opened on August 1, 1996. This walk-through aviary displays a variety of South American birds in a lushly planted habitat with meandering streams.
Crean Family Farm
Crean Family Farm opened in July 2004 and focuses on rare breeds of farm animals. The centerpiece of the complex is a two-story red barn which houses the larger species.
Ocelot Habitat and Education Center
Ocelot Habitat is home to a breeding pair of Brazilian ocelot located in 2 linked habitats. Interactive picnic tables let guests discover the special adaptations unique to ocelots.
Clouded Leopards are displayed on a color panel brochure to adopt an animal, however Clouded Leopards do not reside at the Santa Ana Zoo.
2. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is an approximately 1,300 acre coastal estuary. Habitats include open water, mudflats, salt marsh, coastal dunes, seabird nesting islands, riparian, and freshwater marsh. More than 200 avian species have been identified at Bolsa Chica and the reserve is very popular with birders and photographers.
For more information, call the Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center at (714) 846-1114 or the South Coast Region San Diego office at (858) 467-4201.
Activities: wildlife viewing, hiking, and tours
Each parking lot connects to a 4-mile network of public hiking trails, including scenic overlooks. Please note that due to active oil and gas production by California Resources Corporation, a portion of the reserve is closed to public access.
An interpretive center operated by the Bolsa Chica Conservancy is located by the north lot.
Free docent-led tours are provided by three non-government organizations: Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Bolsa Chica Conservancy and Bolsa Chica Land Trust. Each parking lot features a bulletin board with information.
1. Newport Beach
Delight in all the attractions and activities Newport Beach has to offer. Whether you are looking for attractions, the piers or peninsula, or you are looking for activities, whale watching and wine tasting, Newport Beach has activities and attractions for everyone. The Balboa Fun Zone is one of the most well-known Newport Beach attractions. With a Ferris wheel, arcade games, and Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest, the Fun Zone offers family fun for all ages. Millions of people every year visit the two Newport Beach piers, Balboa and Newport Pier, to walk high above the waves.
The best activities and attractions in Newport Beach are usually found in the water. Surfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, body surfing and other water sports are favorite year-round activities as the California beach destination enjoys the gorgeous Mediterranean-like weather.
Newport Beach is also an active community of walkers, runners, cyclists, and even Segway riders. With long stretches of board walks, bike routes, and trails, there are numerous paths and trails for outdoor activities.
I hope this list helps plan the beginning of your adventures in Santa Ana, California. I myself am off to enjoy the warm, beautiful weather…. until next time!
A Traveling Clouds 