3 Of Santa Ana’s Most Popular Restaurants

Knowing where to eat is an art form. Sure there are restaurants on almost every corner, but the truly good ones can be a bit hidden and under the radar, even if they are popular.

  1. Alebrije’s Grill

The Alebrije’s Grill is a food truck that help light up the “food truck” scene. Nowadays most trucks work heavily with social media, but the Alebrije’s has been parked in front of a Mexican grocery store for years and remains one of the gems of the Santa Ana area.

  1. Chapter One: The Modern Local

Chapter One is a local Gastropub that has thrown down the challenge of taking “bar food” and turning it into a gourmet experience, The restaurants serves old school drinks with a modern feel and makes eating chicken wings an upscale experience.

  1. The Crosby

The Crosby has a host of tasty menu items, but if you happen to eat there, please order the jerk carnitas torta and enjoy a slice of heaven. The torta is a massive undertaking that is cooked to perfection and will leave your taste buds begging for more.

Spend the Holidays at the Discovery Cube

It isn’t hard to find a little holiday fun for your kids in Santa Ana, because the city will be full of awesome events and activities over the next month. For those parents who might want educational activities, the Discovery Cube is now hosting its annual holiday festival which features science and fun rolled into one.

This year’s fun will include visits from Santa (only on pre schedule dates), holiday science experiments, cookie decorating, and crafts much more. The fun is aimed at bringing families closer together through science during the holidays. All holiday events are free and included with the price of admission.

For more information, or to see a detailed schedule of events and dates for Santa’s visit, stop by the Discovery Cube’s website (listed below).

Now until – January 1, 2017
Discovery Cube
2500 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
http://www.orangecounty.net/html/Weekend_winter.html#anaheim
714-542-2823

Thanksgiving Sides: Roasted Brussel Sprouts

The turkey might be the main event during Thanksgiving, but it’s the sides that do all the heavy lifting. If you are looking for a tasty vegetable recipe, here is a quick roasted brussel sprouts recipe to try.

  • Ingredients
    1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, cut in half
    4 ounces diced pancetta
    1/4 cup olive oil
    Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar


Start with Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan, then add pancetta, olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, toss until the Brussels sprouts are completely covered. Then spread the veggies over the pan and roast the Brussels sprouts for 20 ish minutes. Once they are done, drizzle the sprouts with balsamic vinegar, taste and then serve while still hot.

Check out the Food Network for more tasty Thanksgiving sides recipes. Happy Holidays and enjoy the food.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/balsamic-roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe.html?oc=linkback

3 Late Night Restaurants To Try In Santa Ana

Everyone loves a little late-night fun every now and again. If you have children then your bedtime is probably 10 pm and if you don’t then late night fun just comes with the territory. But no matter your situation in life, hanging out late and grabbing a post midnight meal can be fun in small doses. The City of Santa Ana has a bunch of late night restaurants that serve food and drinks well past the standard 11pm closing time.

Here is a quick look at three tasty and well reviewed locations near your apartment. Each restaurants offers a fully stocked kitchen and a great menu. Click on the links for each location to get detailed information about pricing and food options. Have fun and enjoy. Just try to stay away from heartburn inducing food.

Round 1 Bowling & Amusement

2800 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone number (714) 619-6840

The Copper Door

225 1/2 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone number (714) 494-9479

Spoons Grill & Bar

2601 Hotel Ter
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone number (714) 556-0700

Stay Active in Santa Ana By Joining the YMCA

Staying active is an issue most people struggle with. The older we get, the busier life becomes–with work, family, and a social life–yet most people’s metabolism tends to slow down and the weight begins to settle in. There is no easy solution to staying fit and healthy other than with the hard work of eating right and exercising.

The easiest way to stay active might be to join a local gym or YMCA. The City of Santa Ana has a great YMCA chapter with a state of the art gym that also focuses on family (you can even get a family plan for all your loved ones to enjoy). The YMCA features an Olympic sized pool, a soccer arena, and a splash pool for the kids among other things. The program also offers financial assistance for those family who may need a little help paying for the monthly expenses.

Join a YMCA continues to be a great value and awesome way to keep your family busy with all the great programming taking place on a weekly basis.

2100 W Alton Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 444-4004

http://www.ymcaoc.org/santa-ana-family-ymca/

Get In the Holiday Spirit With the Fourth Annual Plaza Navideña

I know, I know. Halloween just passed and we’re already focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the year moves fast and everyone better be ready. The holiday season officially kicks off in Santa Ana during the Fourth Annual Plaza Navideña event on November 19, 2016. The fun starts at the Downtown Plaza Calle Cuatro on Saturday, at the corner of Fourth and French Streets in Santa Ana.

The free event will take place from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and will include the City’s tree lighting ceremony, musical entertainment provided by mariachi bands and dancers. Refreshments will be provided along with piñatas and other fun activities. Since it is the holiday, even Santa Claus himself will make an appearance at the event.

The Navidena festivities will include a “Best Tamale in Town” contest, for all those wonderful cooks looking to share their tamales. Food will also be for sale as local food trucks will be in attendance.

http://www.ci.santa-ana.ca.us/parks/upcomingevents/

Attend the “Rockin’ Halloween Bash” In Santa Ana

Halloween is on Monday, so now is the time to start looking for events for the little ones. If your kids on are in school, chances are they’ll have something fun taking place during the day. However, your family will still need an activity to try at night. So why not take your little troopers to the Rockin’ Jump in Orange County, for some awesome Halloween jumper fun?

The Halloween events features an array of jumpers for little kids of all ages. Tickets cost $5 for six hours worth of fun, and could be an excellent way to spend the holiday. Costumes are encouraged. The Halloween festivities will also feature games, raffles, prizes and a costume contest. If you are looking for some affordable family fun this Halloween, stop by and let your kids jump their energy away.

 

Monday, October 31, 2016

Rockin’ Jump Orange County
1411 S. Village Way
Santa Ana, California 92705
Cost:$5.00
Free parking provided on location.
Ages:2 – 17
Phone: (714) 249-7676

 

https://www.planadayout.com/Activity/Rockin-Jump-Orange-County/RockinHalloween-Bash-19397

How To Prepare Your Santa Ana Apartment For a Safe Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner folks. So now is the time to start thinking about creating a safe and secure environment for children trick-or-treating at your apartment. Here are a few quick tips.

 

Do not use candles: candles in any form are always a fire hazard. If you plan to have a jack-o-lantern use fire safe LED lights instead. You never know who might bump into your decorations and cause a candle to light a fire.

 

Go heavy with lights: apartment walkways can be quite dark at night, so use lights when decorating your doorway or instead of your apartment. The parents will thank you.

 

Safe candy choices: think about choking hazards and common allergies like peanuts when buying candle. Kids of all shapes and sizes will be visiting your house, so opt with the safest candy possible. Again, the parents of Halloween goers will appreciate the thought and care you put into making the holiday safe for everyone.

Santa Ana Living: Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Pumpkin carving is the best thing about Halloween. Okay, maybe the second best thing (eating your kid’s candy is the first). But now that we’ve finally hit October and the holiday is nearly here, let’s go over a few simple pumpkin carving tips to try this Halloween.

 

Spray water: once you cut into your pumpkin it will begin to lose water quickly. Keep a spray bottle handy and wet it a few times a day. The pumpkin will last longer.

 

Use a template: you don’t have to be an artist to carve a pumpkin. Just print out a template online and make your masterpiece with a little help.

 

Put it in the fridge: unfortunately, a carved pumpkin will only last a week or so max. However, you can a few extra days by covering the pumpkin with plastic wrap and putting it in the fridge once you are done carving.

Where Are the Best Parks in Santa Ana

Taking a stroll through a park is one of the best things about fall. You can grab a jacket, scarf, pumpkin spice latte and enjoy the weather. If you live in Santa Ana, the city has a host of wonderful family parks for you to enjoy. Whether you want to hike, host a picnic, or let the kids loose on the playground, visiting a park is the best option. Here is a quick list of three Santa Ana parks near your apartment. Have fun and enjoy the day with your family.

 

Santiago Creek Wildlife & Watershed Center, Santiago Park Nature

510 E Memory Ln

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Phone number(714) 647-6904

 

Carl Thorton Park

1801 W Segerstrom Ave

Santa Ana, CA 92704

 

Bomo Koral Park

900 W MacArthur Blvd

Santa Ana, CA 92707