INSIDER’S » TIP

As Orange County’s seat, secondmost populous city and home to JOHN WAYNE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Santa Ana projects an image more businesslike than fun. However, residents treasure their artsy downtown with its funky galleries, theaters, folk-art shops and inexpensive sidewalk cafés. Start a journey into Santa Ana’s bohemian side at the 10block ARTISTS VILLAGE, anchored by Cal State Fullerton’s GRAND CENTRAL ART CENTER with its theater, dance studios, edgy galleries and artists’ live-work spaces. Just outside, go galleryhopping around the SECOND STREET PROMENADE, which serves as the village’s leafy, fountain-studded central courtyard. For a broader sense of the downtown arts scene, the first Saturday of the month brings ARTWALK, when more than 20 galleries open their doors at 6 p.m. Trees twinkling with lights, street vendors and corner musicians, and live arts performances provide a festive atmosphere for glimpses into art studios and design workshops. grandcentralartcenter.com dtsaartwalk.org