During my visit to the Studio of the Theatres open house, I was made aware that many people aren’t familiar with the transformation downtown Santa Ana has undergone over the past twenty years or so. “I never knew this was here” seemed to be a common statement at the event. Unfortunately, far too many people retain images of a time when Santa Ana was a place to avoid.
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In reality, downtown Santa Ana has experienced a significant renaissance over the past couple of decades, developing in to a rich cultural center, which is perfectly safe to visit. From a thriving arts district, to a bustling marketplace, there is a great deal to experience downtown; all set within the multitude of historic buildings which line the area.
As for theatres, downtown Santa Ana remains home to three of Orange County’s oldest cinemas; The West End, West Coast, and Yost. While they are no longer operated as cinemas, each stands in excellent condition and all are well worth visiting. Below, I’ve altered a map, courtesy of Santa Ana Artwalk, to show the location of each.
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In addition to the three theatres hilighted, the Princess remains, at 218 4th street. However, the building has been drastically remodeled and offers no hint of it’s former life as a cinema. There is also an active movie theatre across from the Fiesta Marketplace, the Fiesta Twin; a relatively modern build which shows first run films with Spanish subtitles.
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