The school district has two Nationally Distinguished Schools, McFadden Intermediate and Greenville Fundamental Elementary, as well as several State Distinguished Schools. The city also has a campus of the Rancho Santiago Community College District as well as West Coast University and Pacific Coast College. Mater Dei, one of California's most popular and prestigious private high schools also calls Santa Ana home.

Neighborhoods are a wonderful mix of style and flavor. Many of the historic neighborhoods have been restored and maintained to their original form. The city boasts over 50 neighborhood associations that have a common purpose of working to improve their surroundings.

Special points of interest within the City: Santa Ana Zoo, Bowers Museum and The Bowers Kidseum, Artists Village, Discovery Science Center, Main Place Shopping Center, Riverview Golf Course, Santa Ana Country Club, Willowick Municipal Golf Course and New Orleans Jazz Club of Southern California.