While strolling through Orange County’s shifting autumn colors, explore inside local artist studios. For the First Saturday Art Walk, the Artists Village’s 40-plus galleries open their doors. The Village, located in the City of Santa Ana, California, has blossomed into a unique blend of live/work artist studios, galleries, folk art stores, and some very amazing (and affordable) food since artists began moving into the iconic Santora Building approximately fifteen years ago.
The look: Refurbished brick buildings coexist with elaborate Spanish architecture, which is punctuated by fountains, palm palms, and sidewalk cafes. The Village is small, so leave your car at home and take a stroll instead. The major courtyard of the Village is the Second Street Promenade. Take a workshop at Calacas Folk Art Shop to decorate a sugar skull ($3). Return for Noche de Altares (November 1–10; E. Fourth St. and N. Bush St.), which features street tacos, Mexican Coke, roasted corn, and a candlelight parade at twilight.
A Creative Block Party
For the First Saturday Art Walk, the Artists Village’s 40-plus galleries open their doors. With glittering trees and musicians playing along the Second Street Promenad, the area comes alive when the sun sets, allowing you to glimpse inside studios and creative workshops.
A Gallery of Mods
Visit the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art to see avant-garde works. The OCCCA’s 30th anniversary show, which includes works by alumni, opens in mid-month.
The ARTbar is a must-visit for hard-to-find art supplies as well as affordable DIY satisfaction (lessons start at $5). The découpage papier-mâché sculptures and, get this, a graffiti workshop (completely legal—on canvas) were two of our favorites.
Create a work of art in your home.
Cantera is a magical bazaar packed with great Latino art, furniture, and decor, including tables built from hacienda doors, chairs constructed from Guadalajara tequila-aging barrels, classic Mexican frocks, and intricate crosses.
The finest places to dine if you’re starving
- The Crosby in Santa Ana’s spicy Creole shrimp pizza is a favorite in the village. Speakeasy-style meets racks of ’80s boomboxes at the Crosby. A grilled gruyère sandwich with sautéed mushrooms, sweet potato fries, spicy Creole shrimp pie, and a creamy tomato-soup shooter for $5 is a great combination of simple and tasty foods.
- Gypsy Den – This restaurant’s charm comes from mismatched tables and chairs, old tapestries, quirky paintings, and Moroccan lanterns. The (genuine) banana mocha and the enormous (and unexpectedly vegan) chocolate chip-coconut biscuits were recently discovered.
- Lola Gaspar – The greatest place for happy hour is here, with fresh fruit and herb-infused cocktails that change with the seasons. Pair it with a trio of delicious street tacos for a complete meal.
- Memphis at the Santora – Pull-pork sliders, a round of gumbo, and fried catfish are all on the menu.
Source: sunset.com
Visit and tour the Kellogg House
TechWaste Recycling Inc. is nearby.
Directions
Artists Village
Head south on N Sycamore St toward W 1st St
276 ft
Turn left onto W 1st St
Pass by McDonald’s (on the left in 0.2 mi)
1.0 mi
Turn right onto S Grand Ave
Pass by McDonald’s (on the right in 0.8 mi)
1.3 mi
Turn left onto E Edinger Ave
0.5 mi
Turn right onto Ritchey St
Pass by Ferguson Plumbing Supply (on the left)
0.2 mi
Turn left onto E Occidental St
Destination will be on the right – TechWaste Recycling Inc. 0.2 mi