WHY SANTA ANA? Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA), the county seat since 1889, is probably more reminiscent of a classic downtown than any historic downtown in Orange County. Evidence of an aspiring business district and young county government of the early decades of the twentieth century can still be found in the orthogonal grid of streets and dense blocks of mid-rise buildings in a variety of architectural styles. And to complete the picture, the streetcar will soon be making a comeback!
Join Preserve Orange County with one of our experienced tour guides on one of three dates between October 2023 and January 2024. See the banks, courthouses, stores, churches, fraternal halls, and office buildings on a walking tour of this district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about active historic preservation issues in Santa Ana concerning buildings such as First American and the YMCA.
YOUR GUIDE Our tour is led by one of two guides. Tim Rush is an historian, historic preservation advocate, and real estate executive. A long-time resident of Santa Ana, Tim is a founding board member of Preserve Orange County and the current Chair of the Historic Resources Commission of the City of Santa Ana. Tim originated this tour and conducted it for several years with the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society.
Phil Bacerra is a land use consultant and is the City Council Member for Ward 4 in Santa Ana. Phil has been active in the affairs of his hometown for several years, previously serving as a member of the Planning Commission and the Historic Resources Commission. Following graduation from USC, Phil worked in historic preservation planning for the City of Los Angeles and was an early board member of Preserve Orange County.
DURATION 2 1/2 hours
TICKETS Members of Preserve Orange County receive a 20% discount on tour tickets. Tickets are purchased through Eventbrite by clicking the box below. Other tour detail such as start time, available dates, and where the tour begins can also be found on the Eventbrite page.
Preserve Orange County member: $20
Non-member: $25*
*Support our mission of promoting the conservation of the cultural and architectural heritage of Orange County, join for just $25 by clicking here.
Tour guide, Tim Rush (front row, fourth from right) with tour goers, posing on the Second Street Promenade at the end of the Downtown Santa Ana Historic Architecture Tour.