The downtown section of Santa Ana is in the process of a wonderful renovation. The transformation has already begun. The area has a thriving art community. Painters and other visual media artists from internationally known Alfredo Pavon, to the up-and-comming, to the starving artists "a la soho" have studios and works in galleries all through the downtown area. The area also is alive with music, dance and theatre.

The area roughly bordered on the north by Fourth Street, the south by First Street, the west by Broadway, and the east by Main, I will refer to as Sasoho--as in Santa Ana Sahoho. There are also studios and galleries just outside this area which can also be included in this community--namely, The ARC at 316 W. Fourth Street, and the East Village Workshops at 19 N. Bush Street.

The map below shows the locations of studios, galleries, theatres, and places to eat in the hub of the area. The Artists Village is the nucleus, and is home to the Santora Building, and the Cal State University Grand Central Art Center (GCAC). The GCAC contains the Grand Central Art Center Theater, Main Gallery, Rental & Sales Gallery, and the Don Cribb Project Room. The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) is just across Sycamore from GCAC.

The map also lists places to eat, all easily within walking distance of all the galleries, studios, and theaters in the area. The Gypsy Den Cafe is favorite of local artists. Memphis Restaurant opened in May. It is the place to go for an evening cocktail. And the wonderful cuisine of Trattoria Ciao is just around the corner on Third Street.

A directory of galleries, studios, theatres, restaurants, and a list of websites can be found on the Webguide page.