Patchwork Show City Tour: Santa Ana
Editor’s Note:
In two weeks we’re heading to Santa Ana for our final Patchwork Show of the season. Don’t worry – we’ll be back in the spring! But while you’re in Santa Ana for our Modern Makers Festival, you can check out some of our favorite local spots curated by our staff writer and Santa Ana lover Nik Vandeventer. We love supporting our fellow local independent businesses! Be sure to tell them you’re in town for Patchwork Show!
And while you’re at it, check out our City Tour of Long Beach, too! Happy Exploring!
xo, katie mac
Now, onto Nik!
Santa Ana has quickly become one of my favorite local cities to visit. There is so much to see and do & eat and drink, what’s not to love? With places like the Yost theater that almost always has something rad going on or Lavenders Flowers where you can pick up a beautiful custom arrangement, and so much beautiful architecture, culture & street art! Let me tell you about a few more spots I adore.
Hidden House Coffee
This coffee house is SO cute, in a beautiful old brick building its nice and airy, and the perfect spot to catch up on some work. They make a delicious chai & have lots of yummy pastries to choose from as well. With a really great atmosphere & even a great sized patio.
Burritos La Palma
I first had Burritos La Palma from their food truck & I’m so excited they had a brick & mortar location now! The late Johnathan Gold included them in his list of LA’s 5 best burritos & he is definitely NOT wrong. These are some of the best I’ve had, period. I love that they are smaller than what you imagine a burrito to be, so you can try more than one! My favorites are the bean & cheese, such a classic and this ones is the best & the Birria, a delicious all beef one. The tortillas themselves are so incredibly flavorful, try anything here & you won’t be disappointed.
McFadden Public Market
McFadden Public Market is a great little mix of amazing eateries/bars/ice cream with a rad vintage arcade up stairs. I love the vibe of this place & there are a lot of good food options, my favorites being Rooster Republic & En Tu Boca. It’s best to go with a few friends so that everyone can get a dish from each food option & share! There is also cute little seating options & the downstairs bar always has a great tap list & craft cocktails.
Mission Control
Mission Control is one of the coolest spots in DTSA, this 80’s style Barcade. So many throwback arcade games to choose from, from tons of pinball machines (my favorite) to PacMan, Donkey Kong & Street Fighter just to name a few. The beer selection is always on point, they also make delicious craft cocktails & usually have at least one cocktail on tap too. The perfect place to get together with friends or enjoy a fun date night at.
Alta Baja
Alta Baja is an anchor of 4th street market, but it’s also it’s own unique shop. I love everything about this place. It’s a small grocery store with lots of cool & funky imported goods, food, housewares, spices, sauces, gifts, beer so many good options! Plus they have an amazing menu of food items they make in house and have a case of prepared food to go. And their micheladas are not to be beat! My favorite is the La Traviesa, it tastes like a beer pina colada & I can’t get enough of it. You can’t go wrong with any item on the food menu, I’ve tried a lot of things & have never been disappointed. Bonus: they serve a delicious Pozole (with a veggie option too!) on the last Sunday of every month. This place is a must-stop anytime you’re in Santa Ana. P.S.: Our beloved co-founder Delilah Snell is the owner of Alta Baja!
4th Street Market
One of my favorite ‘food halls’ to pop up recently. This place is alway busy and constantly changing. So many amazing food options it will be hard to choose where to eat! Another place that I love getting a group together so we can all share our food choices. Plus there’s a little bar, Portola coffee & a nice outdoor space with boardgames to play & a ping pong table to use. So much fun to be had here.
Native Son Alehouse
I love this rooftop beer garden! I have only ever had beer here but they recently opened up a BBQ spot as well that I can’t wait to try. The beer selection has always been outstanding but what I love most about this place is the atmosphere. It’s a gorgeous rooftop with lots of seating options and pretty string lights in the heart of Downtown. I love visiting this place on a busy night & just watching the city buzz by from the roof.
Vacation Bar
This is one of the cutest themed bars I’ve ever been to! Vacation is the perfect name for the summery tiki vibes you get from this place. Tropical motifs, wicker & rattan furniture meshed with cozy velvet couches and large restaurant style booths. This is the perfect place for a date night but also so fun with a good group of friends. Killer cocktails and good vibes, what else do you need?
I really hope you enjoy this city as much as I do!
-Nik V.
ABOUT NIK VANDEVENTER:
Nik is a maker, day dreamer & potty mouth who loves cats, coffee and craft beer. She is a self taught hand embroider and will DIY pretty much anything she can get her hands on. She is head Boss Bitch behind Wasting Thyme creating & selling naughty hand embroidery and sassy greeting cards. You can find her products at justwastingthyme.etsy.com. She lives in Long Beach with her husband and her three awesome cats (that she can’t shut up about).
