Prevention Magazine has named Santa Ana – yes, Santa Ana – one of the top walking cities in America, calling it a place with “amazing nature walks” that is “great for fitness walkers,” according to the O.C. Register.
Santa Ana ranked #69 out of 100. And the article referred to Santa Ana but meant a broader area, including parts of Irvine and Anaheim. Here is how the Register article put it, “Here’s the fine print: The magazine looked at the entire metro area, not just Santa Ana proper. What it called Santa Ana includes the walking districts of Anaheim and the footpaths that meander through Irvine.”
Is it really safe to walk in Santa Ana, particularly at night? It is in the north and extreme south, but much of the rest of the city is very dangerous, particularly at night. Santa Ana is number one in Orange County – in violent crime. Take a walk if you must, but leave the iPod at home and be sure to pack some heat!
And don’t forget that Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez was robbed last year while walking in downtown Santa Ana, to a meeting. A kid swept by on a bike and grabbed her purse. The only thing she had left was her cell phone – I know this because I was talking to her when she was robbed!
Too funny! I wonder how the New Urbanist promoters are going to spin this particular bit of idiocy. Of course maybe they meant it was safe if you had a police escort.
Let’s just face it…if you want to feel ‘safe’, you’re going to have to move out of California. South County is experiencing an explosion of assaults; just look what happened last night in San Juan Capistrano (gang related I’m guessing).
I usually walk my dog around the civic center in early/mid evening hours. I NEVER walk him without my cell phone..and you can forget listening to anything except for footsteps behind you. What a sad and pathetic state of living we’re in now…
We can all blame the economy…we can blame the schools, the churches, the society! We can blame the old President, or we can blame the new one.
The truth of the matter is that people do not respect themselves. They do not believe that there is any benefit to being “good”! Look at the crazy ladies driving around with 100 cop cars following. You wonder why that lady got shot? Do not wonder. If we were pulled over by the cops and didn’t stop…we wouldn’t be around for
30 seconds before they opened up! Things are crazy in our society because people are losing their jobs, losing their homes, losing their lives and blaming anyone in their eyeline.
What we might say to those folks is: We are all in this together. Be kind to your fellow man and do what you can do to help others…not harm them.
oh my gosh! I am currently looking for condos in santa ana! LOL Its 5mins away from Angel Stadium though…Is that a bit safer??? I have 2 kids!!!
The ONLY walk I would feel safe taking would be the walk to my car after I leave my classroom for the day.
You sound like you go to Mater Dei. I think those kids feel safe in the area. In actuallity it’s more safe than you think.
Get out of your cars and do some walking, you would be surprised at how nice it is. Even here in Santa Ana.
Walk in Santa Ana? Only while wearing SWAT gear.
Many are afraid of Santa Ana, but that’s because the Media simply reports the bad things going on there, ignoring the good. However a lot more bad things go on in Newport Beach, Irvine and Laguna Hills, but it’s not reported. I know people in all 4 cities heard the worst stories from Newport Beach. Stop being ignorant and afraid of people of different races from your own.
It’s a safe city just don’t walk alone at the santa ana river at night lol.. It’s safe for the most part yeah their’s couple barrios as we call em.. but normally its safe too.. haha… don’t be scurred…
I hang out ti’ll like 5 in the morning safe for the most part… My city Born & Raised.. but bullshit is always everywhere.. don’t get that twisted.. even If i go to a different city I’m always watching my back.. cuz no matter how safe it looks their’s always knuckleheads in the shadows..
Visit Experience For yourself Main St Broadway nice location.. We got history don’t forget that…Beautiful City…
I recently started a website to promote self defense products at http://www.proselfdefenseproducts.com
Some of these products are very inexpensive and can be a lifesaver. I personally carry a pepper spray keychain in case of a viscious dog attack. You can purchase one of these for only $10.00 and that is cheap peace of mind. I may never use this product but it is good to know I have it in my pocket in case of an emergency. You can see the pepper sprays at http://www.proselfdefenseproducts.com/macepeppersprays If you are into jogging or walking for exercise we have the hot walkers, walking weights with a twist. They are loaded with a pepper spray. If you are going to carry walking weights anyway why not ones that can prevent a dog bite?
I hope everyone can find something to protect themselves and enjoy a walk without fear.
Thank you for your time and trouble,
Gerry
you guys over exagerated …santa ana is not a violent place….you guys..people..just post the bad things that happen and dont take consideration on the good parts of santa ana…theres worst places than santa ana in orange county or near it
Santa Ana is not that dangerous i have lived here all my life and havent had many problems except one time when they stole a plant from my yard but thats about it. eh but i would try to avoid walking at night it is a bit dangerous.
nope don’t walk crawl motherf*cker!!!
You can walk in many parts of Santa Ana including downtown. I have done the Santa Ana trail mid-day from Chapman to Huntington Beach all by myself with no incident and nothing remotely threatening along the way except small dogs let loose by their owners. There are many walking trails in this city and many of the neighborhoods are safe to walk. Use common sense- don’t walk by yourself, know your surroundings and don’t walk with an iPod – of course you should leave it at home so you know what the hell is going on around you! Many people say they are afraid of Santa Ana b/c of what they hear others say or what they watch on TV. That’s fine. You stay in your home and live within your made-up virtual safety while the rest of us enjoy the wonderful trails and connect to our neighbors whoever they are. Don’t be afraid of the strangers – they are only strangers until you make a conscious effort to meet them!
People’s comments here reminded me of a story reported on TV, recently. There was a guy who was walking on some beach (don’t remember where). He was listening to his ipod and a plane landed on him and killed him. What are the odds of that happening? Anyways, that was just to say that I enjoy this city – lots of cultural events happening and I don’t have to drive to LA to see a play, enjoy a great concert, or have access to great trails, parks, museums and zoos. Most of all, I enjoy the diversity of the people in the city and the wonderful repertoire of delicious cuisine from many parts of the world. If you are someone who enjoys other people, you will get to know the real Santa Ana. We all know that if people go by the Hollywood image of most places they’ll get the wrong idea. As an aside, my bike was stolen in the safest city in OC and I also saw a policeman chasing a purse snatcher in that same safest city. I do know that said city has the lowest rate of crime. It is also smaller in comparison to the size of Santa Ana. Santa Ana is a huge place with lots to offer those who approach and appreciate engagement with their surroundings.
Most of all, I enjoy the diversity of the people in the city and the wonderful repertoire of delicious cuisine from many parts of the world. If you are someone who enjoys other people, you will get to know the real Santa Ana.
MQ says:
And after you eat that delicious cuisine you may want to run like a mother to avoid a bullet in you’re A@# from one of our delectable gang members! LOL
You locals are a crack up! They said there was a lack of mental health in Santa Ana…So many nuts, not enough pills!
is it really safe in Santa Ana???B.S aside is it?
Yes it is, for the most part. Depends where you are going and at what time. Every city has its good areas and those that are not so great.
If, for example, you come to our city to try to, for example, buy illegal drugs, well good luck to you. That may not work out well for you.
Our Downtown in particular is very safe.
SANTA ANA ORANGE COUNTY gets down!:]
Santa Ana is safe if your Mexican.
I owned apartment buildings in santa ana and it’s definitely not a safe place to live if you are not mexicans.
I’m from Laguna and I looooooooove santa ana! (south coast metro area) I would give anything to live there Santa Ana/ Costa Mesa & Irvine…how amazing is that? Plus don’t forget, South Coast Plaza!
Very safe area, dont know about the rest…….
Walking through Santa Ana is safe it aint how people think it is!! ive been living here all my life ive never been robbed when im walking!! plus Santa Ana is a great place!!!!!!!!
STAY AWAY FROM SANTA ANA IF YOU KNOW WHATS GOOD FOR YOU, TRUST ME. I LIVE IN THIS CITY AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE HERE DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU OR THEIR SURROUNDINGS. FOR EXAMPLE: THEY WILL DRIVE DRUNK AND HIGH AND RUN YOU AND YOUR KIDS OVER, IN SCHOOL THE KIDS MAKE IT SEEM LIKE PLAYING WITH GUNS AND SMOKING DRUGS IS COOL, AND IF YOUR KIDS DONT JOIN ALONG THEY WILL BE CALLED PUSSYS AND WILL GET THEIR ASS KICKED. MANY PEOPLE WILL WRITE GRAFFITI ON YOUR WALLS, AND IF YOU TELL THEM OTHER WISE YOU WILL RECIEVE ONE OF TWO THINGS A FIST TO THE FACE OR A FUCK YOU FAT BITCH YOU AINT MY FUCKEN MOM/DAD. SANTA ANA IS A JUNGLE, SURVIVAL OF THE FIT ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE. EVERYONE IS FUCKING COLD THEIR IS NO LOVE FOR YOU HERE
ITS NOT SAFE FOR YOU, YOUR KIDS, YOUR GRANDMA, YOUR UNCLE.
STAY OUT GO TO NEWPORT OR SOME SHIT.
DONT YOU KNOW THAT SANTANA HAS OVER 90 ACTIVE STREET GANGS ALL OF THEM NOT GIVING A FUCK AND WILL EASILY PULL A GUN OUT ON YOU WHEN YOU GET OUT OF YOU CAR TO BUY SOMETHING FROM JACK IN THE BOX DOWN THE STREET. CLICK, CLICK, BANG, YOUR DONE END OF STORY YOUR NOW SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES.
YOUR KIDS WILL ADAPT AND BECOME GANGSTERS THAT WILL SMOKE DRUGS DRINK BEER,CRUISE IT DOWN BRISTOL ST AND KICK IT WITH THE HOMIES ALL DAY LONG AND WILL NEVER GO TO COLLEGE,
LEAVE SANTA ANA ALONE RICHY WE DONT WANT YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REPLY IF YOU THINK OTHER WISE!!
Santa Ana is a dark, dirty, depressing place that’s FULL of dope & crime ! I’ve recently went to the jail twice to visit someone & I was terrified !!!!!! I smiled at ppl when I was walking around outside & they gave me dirty looks like wtf is ur problem ?! Every neighborhood looks like a bunch of meth labs, every car is an old, beat up, drug dealer, gangster looking car, & a lot of the businesses have NO English writing anywhere ! Scary shit ! There’s a fucking middle school literally one meter away from the jail !!! Not a fun place to b for a 21 year old, blonde, skinny, white girl w/ a nice BMW & a nice wardrobe. Not that I’m bragging at all ! I just mean if ur middle class like me, white, not from the ghetto, & have a decent lifestyle, u won’t fit n & ppl look at u like they’re gonna eat u alive !!!!!! Even driving around there made me panic. Scary place ppl !!!
Trust me, we don’t wanna eat u alive when ur driving by, we are just like WTF is this bitch doing here. White people are like endangered species in Santa Ana. I, as a latino have received the same look you have when I went to a Pavilion’s in Laguna Hills. LMAO. Trust me, Santa Ana people don’t hurt, un less u ask for it. I lived in Santa Ana for 20 years and only had my car broken into once. My uncle lives in Anacrime(heim) and his car has been broken in 2 and stole too. LOL. Yes, Santa Ana does look dirty and ghetto, bc the low income people live here and unfortunately they can’t afford to pretty up their homes and have BMWs since they barely can afford the rent. Yea, I know, they can at least be cleaner, but in reality, all of man kind is dirty. The only reason why white neighborhoods look clean is because they can afford for a Santa Ana individual to clean it for them or their job is so not tiring that they have the energy to clean. Trust me, white low income people would live in the same conditions, look at the south :). Santa Ana my not look like Newport, but its people are much nicer, we will just make a “i ma eat you alive” face as a defense mechanism when we see a white or non latino person bc dam, that bitch can be INS.
🙂
I live in Chicago.santa Ana is the best city.santa Ana might be a poor neighborhood but definitely the place to feel like home.
If you’re not an idiot about when and what neiborhood you walk through, the city is just as safe as any other.. it may not be the richest city in orange county but that doesnt make everyone one who lives there with a shaved head a thug.
Go live in civic center and ross you will be safe with 200 smelly nasty dirty hobos around you
I live in Santa Ana. It’s pretty safe when compared to other big cities like Los Angeles or Oakland. Less safe than Irvine, but Irvine is boring (safety is not the most important thing in my life) . There are few blocks in Santa Ana where apartments are run down, but they’re the exception. The area around the South Coast Plaza has gated apartments, and is on the clean cut side. Bristle street has just be renovated making Mater Dei High School more attractive..The city is predominantly Hispanic and is probably the most ethnically diverse in Orange County.
How is the nightlife and restaurants in Santa Ana? Anybody know anything about the Court at Artists Village?