Park Santiago is an urban community of 2,000 residents in the heart of Santa Ana. The Irvine Company built the neighborhood between 1955 and 1965, focusing on families. Today, Park Santiago is home to people from diverse backgrounds, including Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, Asian Americans, and European Americans. The neighborhood features many amenities like schools (elementary through high school), parks (both public open space and private yards), restaurants (including fast-food chains), grocery stores (like Trader Joe’s), and churches. Many events are planned for residents, such as festivals at Christmas time or Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Park Santiago is also home to many artists who create murals that beautify their surroundings and stir the creative community. Park Santiago is located in downtown Santa Ana and is surrounded by residential neighborhoods such as Rivera, CSA 4 (Crimson), CSA 6 (Lincoln-Broadway), and Oval Park. Santa Ana hit hard times during the Great Depression but began to recover when hometown boy Richard Nixon became President. Nixon’s administration helped shape Santa Ana by funding several investment and redevelopment projects. As a result, Park Santiago was built to provide housing and family amenities for new residents in the area. The Irvine Company planned four neighborhoods: Ladera, Bonita Lakes, Valencia Townhomes, and Park Santiago.

Over time, the property values of Park Santiago have skyrocketed. The construction of many local parks and public spaces has also contributed to the neighborhood’s increase in value. The neighborhood today is full of diverse cultures. Each month there are festivals celebrated by some of the different nationalities that make up the population. For example, the Mexican community hosts a festival for Independence Day. Park Santiago is zoned to schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District. The neighborhood is served by El Sol Science and Arts Academy, Santa Ana High School and Vista Fundamental Elementary School. Many students also attend private schools such as Mater Dei High School and Chaparral Christian School.

The neighborhood is serviced by the Santa Ana Transit Line, which extends to John Wayne Airport. The Park Santiago Community Center is only a few blocks away from the bus stop and operates an afterschool program for children in the community. According to Google Maps, traveling on foot or by bicycle takes about 10 minutes. Santa Ana is known for its local, independently-owned businesses. Because Park Santiago was built during the 1950s and 1960s, small mom-and-pop shops still exist. For example, Marsha’s Coffee House has been an essential part of the community since its opening in 1969. The shop roasts its coffee beans, offers refills on French pressed coffee, and serves delicious sandwiches [6]. Recently, the city has been holding efforts to boost business in Santa Ana. The ‘It’s My Park’ program aimed to bring art to local businesses in downtown Santa Ana. A couple of murals can be found along 3rd Street, including one that pays tribute to Park Santiago’s history.

The City of Santa Ana’s Community Action Team (CAT) provides a valuable service by going door-to-door and distributing information on services available for those struggling with homelessness issues in the city. CAT was created due to a partnership between the County of Orange, the City of Santa Ana, local faith-based organizations, and non-profit partners. The Neighborhood Association for the Improvement of Park Santiago (NAIPS) plans events throughout the year. These include festivals and picnics in the neighborhood park. NAIPS also hosts community cleanups and tree planting days.

The 241 freeway borders Santiago to the west, downtown Santa Ana and Gonzales Park to the south, and Orange County Christian School to the north. The neighborhood is near many local points of interest, such as John Wayne Airport, South Coast Plaza, and Bowers Museum.

Some of the best grocery stores in Park Santiago include Walmart, Costco, and Ralphs. The best parks in the neighborhood include Santiago Park, Bonita Park, and Rivera Park. Some of the best restaurants in the area include Marsha’s Coffee House, Mi Casa, and 4th Street Cafe.

The best places to go for hair cuts in the neighborhood are Activa Salon, Hair by Jerry, and The Men’s Room. For pet grooming, Oasis Pet Spa is your best bet. When it comes time to buy a new car, AutoMax has some of the best prices on used vehicles in the area. Tires Plus has your back when it comes to finding the best deals on new tires. Affordable Auto Glass is another local company specializing in windshield replacement and has meager prices. If you are looking for a place to watch sports or enjoy some drinks, The Shay Pub & Grill is always packed before home games at nearby Angel Stadium. The Rusty Pelican restaurant offers outdoor patio seating and has an array of beers on tap, making it the perfect place to enjoy some time outdoors.