In the March 27, 2025, edition of the City Manager’s newsletter, learn about new housing opportunities, find tons of fun activities for children and families, join us to celebrate new park projects, and get business assistance and resources.
Spotlight Photo
Enjoying George Upton All Access Park
Photo Credit: City staff
To submit your own original photo of Santa Ana to be featured in the next newsletter, complete this form.
City Manager’s Highlights
Take our Budget Priorities Survey
Which City of Santa Ana services and programs are important to you? Take our Community Budget Priorities Survey to share your ideas! Your responses will be shared with the Santa Ana City Council as we work to set spending priorities and approve the new budget for the coming year. The budget survey is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can also join upcoming community meetings to learn about the budget.
Take the Community Budget Priorities Survey
Santa Ana selected for Street Medicine Program
This month, the CalOptima Board of Directors voted to expand the CalOptima Health Street Medicine Program to Santa Ana, following months of advocacy by City staff and elected officials to bring this beneficial program here. The Street Medicine program will provide urgent medical and social services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Santa Ana was one of four Orange County cities to apply for this program, and we are thankful to the CalOptima Board for selecting us.
Read more about the Street Medicine Program
News
Register for the Santa Ana Fun Run
The Santa Ana Fun Run is back! Registration is now open for this annual community race, which takes place on Saturday, May 17. This year’s event will once again feature a 5K, 10K and Kids Dash. Register by April 16 to get discounted registration. This year’s race features a ’70s theme, so we invite all participants to join in on the fun and bring their grooviest retro gear.
Register for the Santa Ana Fun Run
Inaugural Sister Cities Business Expo is this weekend
Local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals are invited to attend our Sister Cities Santa Ana & Sahuayo Business Expo 2025 on March 28-30. This free event is designed to foster international business collaborations, strengthen economic ties, and open doors to new opportunities between Santa Ana and our sister city, Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico,. Over 30 Mexican businesses will showcase their products, from leather sandals, purses and belts, to mezcal, tequila, candies and desserts.
Read more about the Sister Cities Business Expo
Archways affordable housing opens
Low-income residents have a new place to call home at Archways Santa Ana, an affordable housing community that also provides supportive services for people experiencing mental illness or homelessness.The City of Santa Ana contributed $3.9 million in funding to make this project possible. The 85-unit project offers one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and is located in the 2500 block of Westminster Avenue near Fairview Street. Mercy House, along with Telecare Home First, will provide on-site resident services from wellness to adult education, as well as case management. This project is fully leased, but read on for other affordable housing opportunities.
Below-market home ownership opportunities available
Are you looking to own a home at below-market prices? The City of Santa Ana, in partnership with Toll Brothers and Brandywine Homes, is offering affordable for-sale units for income-eligible buyers at two locations, 717 Lyon, which has 2- and 3-bedroom condos starting from the mid-$200,000s, and Cabrillo Crossing, which offers 3-bedroom townhomes starting from the mid-$400,000s. These homes were provided through the City’s 2021 Affordable Housing Opportunity and Creation Ordinance.
Learn more about home-ownership opportunities
Santa Ana projects receive Red Carpet Awards
The City of Santa Ana was proud to be recognized at the Orange County Business Council’s Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards. The City received an Honorable Mention in the Economic Development category for the Planning and Building Agency’s express construction permit service. PBx allows customers to get same-day permits in order to improve customer service and streamline the development approval process. Two affordable housing projects that were supported by the City also received awards.
Read more about our development awards
Summer Splash Day Camp registration opens April 3
Summer Splash Day Camp is back! As summer approaches, the City of Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency (PRSCA) is gearing up to offer daily summer programs for youth ages 6 to 12 with 10 weeks of fun-filled activities and creative programs. Camps will run from June 2 to August 8, with registration opening on Thursday, April 3. Be sure to sign up early to secure your spot and enjoy a summer full of exciting activities that keep Santa Ana’s youth active and engaged.
Summer Splash Day Camp registration
TeenTime by SAPL offers alternative for youth
Chill out, grab a snack, and connect at TeenTime by SAPL. Both locations offer free wi-fi, study stations with charging ports, Chromebooks and iPads, video games, craft supplies, and creative workshops! Come to TeenTime at Santa Ana Public Library and make it yours. Open to ages 12 to 17. Visit our website to see what’s happening today.
Monday – Friday
- El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
- 2-6 p.m.
- Garfield Community Center, 501 N. Lacy St.
- 3-6 p.m.
Apply for the Youth Employment Program by April 6
Paid job opportunities are available for youth ages 16 to 30 with the Santa Ana Youth Employment Program. We are now accepting applications until April 6 for summer jobs offered through the Santa Ana Work Center. Applicants must live in Santa Ana.
Apply for the Youth Employment Program
Upcoming street closures and permitted events
The locations of planned road closures due to construction or special events and permitted events in public areas are provided at the link below to help you plan accordingly. Please drive slowly and safely in construction zones and around crowded events.
Street closures and permitted events March 27 to April 2
Tales of the City
George Upton All Access Park opens
One of our goals at the City of Santa Ana is to ensure residents and visitors of all abilities can enjoy our programs and resources. Back in 1995, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana built the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground at Thornton Park to provide accessible activities and equipment for children who use wheelchairs or have other accessibility needs. The park was the vision of longtime Santa Ana resident and dedicated volunteer George Upton, and in 2019, the playground was renamed in his honor following his passing.
After 30 years, the park needed a makeover, and the City of Santa Ana invested $2.3 million to completely redesign and rebuild the all-access playground. On March 4, the community gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new park playground. We were joined by City Councilmembers, the Kiwanis Club, and students from nearby McFadden Intermediate School.
The park upgrades include:
- All-access play equipment with slides, spinners, climbers, swings, and a seesaw
- Safety surfacing with interconnecting ramps and ADA-accessible walkways
- Shade structures for comfort
- A resurfaced basketball court
- New lighting
- New restrooms
We invite everyone to come experience the George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park, located off S. Linda Way.
See more ribbon cutting photos
City Council Meetings
Subscribe here to receive City meeting agenda notifications. City Council meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the closed session beginning at 5 p.m. or earlier. The open meeting session begins at 5:30 p.m. Meetings have both in-person and virtual participation and attendance and are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and our TV channel, CTV3 (channel 3 on Spectrum.) If you’d like to provide public comments on agenda and non-agenda items, you can email, attend in person, or join the Zoom webinar online or by phone.
Events
Cesar Chavez Day: City Hall closed, no street sweeping – March 31
César Chávez Day is a celebration honoring the life and legacy of César Chávez, a union leader and activist who fought tirelessly for the rights of farm workers. In observance of the state holiday, Santa Ana City Hall, libraries, senior centers and community centers will be closed on Monday, March 31. There will be no street sweeping, but trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled.
Tenant’s Rights Workshops – April 2 & 16
Our Rent Stabilization Division in collaboration with Community Legal Aid SoCal and the Santa Ana Unified School District is presenting a series of Tenant’s Rights Workshops. The workshops will provide resources that can help maintain your housing stability and security.
- Wednesday, April 2
- 5-7 p.m.
- Lowell Elementary School Wellness Center, 1601 E. Chestnut Ave.
- Wednesday, April 16
- 5-7 p.m.
- Lathrop Intermediate School Wellness Center, 1111 S. Broadway
Angels Park UCI playground ribbon cutting – April 4
We are excited to invite community members to join the City of Santa Ana, UCI School of Education and Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of two new Playful Learning Landscape installations, How Tall Am I and Giant Loteria Game, donated by UCI at the Angels Community Park playground.
- Friday, April 4
- 1-2 p.m.
- Angels Community Park, 300 N. Flower St.
- Parking: Park at Twin Towers parking structure, 1002 W. Santa Ana Blvd.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection – April 5
Our Public Works Agency is sponsoring a household hazardous waste collection event that is free to Santa Ana residents. No appointment is required. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals, electronics, tires and other items that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash. Go to the link below to learn more about which items are allowed or prohibited.
- Saturday, April 5
- 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saddleback High School, 2802 S. Flower St.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Memorial Park Aquatics Center groundbreaking – April 5
Join the Santa Ana City Council to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Memorial Park Aquatics Center. This $29.3 million project will completely transform and modernize the Memorial Park swimming pool, which was built in 1956. During the groundbreaking, renderings of the project will be on display, and City staff will be available to answer questions.
- Saturday, April 5
- 10-11 a.m.
- Memorial Park, 2102 S. Flower St.
El Salvador Community Center Spring Fest – April 5
Let’s celebrate spring at the El Salvador Community Center! The whole family can explore fun programs and classes, enjoy lively performances, play games, and discover local organizations — all in a festive springtime atmosphere! Free and open to all ages. Make sure to also stop by and celebrate the re-opening of the newly renovated El Salvador Park community garden!
- Saturday, April 5
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana night at LA Clippers – April 5
Are you a Clipper fan? Get ready for an unforgettable night of basketball and watch the Clippers take on the Dallas Mavericks live at the Intuit Dome. Santa Ana teens can register as a part of the Teen Excursion Program, where each registered teen can also bring up to 4 additional family members to this special excursion.
City of Santa Ana employees and residents can also score big with special ticket savings by visiting fevo-enterprise.com/event/citysantaana.
- Saturday, April 5
- 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Bowers Museum Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival – April 6
Join us in welcoming spring at Bowers Museum’s annual Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival! This vibrant celebration brings together art, culture, and family-friendly fun, featuring traditional Japanese dance by Fujima Seiyumi Kai, the powerful rhythms of Kishin Daiko, and an exquisite Kofu Bonsai display. The event also includes complimentary face painting, hands-on art activities, and mochi candy treats.
- Sunday, April 6
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival Schedule
Business Startup Workshop – April 9
The City of Santa Ana Economic Development Division hosts monthly Business Start-Up Workshops on the second Wednesday of each month. This workshop is beneficial to anyone interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Santa Ana. You’ll learn about the resources available to help entrepreneurs and have the opportunity to get your questions answered by city staff as you begin your business journey. The workshop will be offered in English and Spanish.
- Wednesday, April 9
- 11 a.m-12:30 p.m.
- Santa Ana City Hall (Room 1600), 20 Civic Center Plaza
Register for a Business Startup Workshop
National Library Week Performer: Wonders of Wildlife – April 11
Join Santa Ana Public Library for a captivating live animal show to celebrate National Library Week! Experience the wonders of nature as expert handlers introduce a variety of fascinating creatures, igniting curiosity and a love for reading in all ages
- Friday, April 11
- 4-4:45 p.m.
- Newhope Library, 122 N. Newhope St.
Resources
Report issues with the mySantaAna app
The mySantaAna mobile app puts the power of the City of Santa Ana government in the palm of your hand! Download the app to quickly and easily report issues such as potholes, graffiti, downed trees and much more.
Who do I call at City Hall?
Important phone numbers:
- City Hall main line: (714) 647-5400
- Code Enforcement: (714) 667-2780
- Graffiti Hotline: (877) 786-7824
- Emergency Water Services: (714) 953-8026
- Public Works dispatch (street sweeping, trees): (714) 647-3380
Find more phone numbers for all City services
Utility services
- City utility services
- Southern California Edison: Call (800) 447-6620
- Southern California Gas: Call (800) 207-8567
- Trash pick up: Call (657) 467-6220