AMANDA AVALOS: Hi everyone, my name is Amanda.

MARIANA RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: And I’m Mari! We’re both super excited to start this podcast. As seniors, we now have a bit more freedom to go out (with permission, of course), and since we were both raised in Santa Ana, we can’t wait to talk about its history and some of our favorite spots around the city.

AVALOS: Santa Ana has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. It was first discovered in 1769 by Don Gaspár de Portolá and was originally named Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. Our first mayor, William H. Spurgeon, purchased 70 acres of land in 1869 and renamed the town Santa Ana. It was initially developed for cattle grazing and farming but soon grew into something much bigger.

AVALOS: Santa Ana played a major role in transportation and industry. Mayor Spurgeon contributed to public transportation, even building a road to the nearby city of what we know is Anaheim. Over time, Santa Ana developed into a hub for banking, business, and transportation, making it a crucial part of Orange County’s growth.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: Today, Santa Ana is the second-largest city in Orange County, often called the “Downtown of Orange County.” It’s well known for its cultural events celebrating Latino and Hispanic heritage. These events typically take place, on 4th Street, and Bristol, featuring live music, food, and more.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: Recently, the city has also seen an increase in community-driven events, including protests and meetings aimed at spreading awareness and helping the community, especially since the new administration took office.

AVALOS: Aside from history, Santa Ana has tons of new stores and classic hangout spots that we wanted to share. On February 10th, we took a trip to 4th Street to check out some of the new places, try new lattes and matcha baked goods, and do a little thrifting.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: We stopped at a few coffee shops and tried something different at each one—probably not the best idea, but worth it! We decided to compare lattes as well from each shop. 

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: We tried four different shops. The first one was Coffee Muse and I think they had the best latte out of all. They were flavorful and balanced which made it stand out.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: And the second place we tried was Alta Baja Market. They had a cinnamon latte which had a spice to it. Like a slight spice to it. I’ve never had a cinnamon latte  before, but it was really interesting.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: We also tried Hopper & Burr. They have a super rich and creamy latte. It was definitely a close favorite of mine but it was too bitter for my taste.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: The last place we checked out was Cafe Cito. It was smooth and comforting, it was a great classic latte if you’re just looking for something simple.

AVALOS: We also tried some pastries and asked if they were made in-house. They were! I had a cajeta-flavored concha (cajeta is caramelized milk), and it is very delicious. The concha was very sweet and I’d definitely have it again.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: That one was so good! I loved the Oreo-flavored one and at Hopper & Burr, we tried their chocolate chip cookies. They weren’t too chewy, which I liked, but also not too hard. They were perfectly baked.

AVALOS: Another standout from Hopper & Burr was their avocado toast. The presentation was beautiful!

AVALOS: We also checked out two more spots: Unlisted and OC Thrift Store.

AVALOS: Unlisted – Not exactly a thrift store, but a super cool place with art pieces from underground artists and unique items from lesser-known brands. I found one of a kind jewelry and a graphic tee there!

AVALOS: OC Thrift Store – This place had some great thrift finds. I picked up a very cozy oversized sweater—definitely a successful trip!

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: I’d say with any thrift store in Santa Ana, finding good things isn’t guaranteed. It takes a lot of patience. We spent almost an hour at OC Thrift Store going through the racks and deciding what we liked best. I even saw a sewing machine for $50! And I was tempted, but I ended up getting the brown skirt instead.

RODRIGUEZ-RAMOS: Whether it’s history, food, or shopping, Santa Ana truly has something special to offer. We’re excited to keep exploring and sharing more hidden gems with you all!