Santa Anaclassic california living

The Santa Ana Zoo bears the nickname “Home of the 50 Monkeys.” And it’s true. When J.E. Prentice, one of Santa Ana’s wealthiest residents, donated 12 acres of his citrus ranch to create the zoo in 1949, he mandated that the city must keep at least 50 monkeys in the zoo at all times. Today, the zoo—which features much more in addition to the primates—welcomes more than 270,000 visitors annually. The small size of the zoo means you can get a closer look at the animals—a great perk for children and adults alike. While this is no rival to the nearby San Diego Zoo, the Santa Ana Zoo makes a great, affordable afternoon trip while visiting Orange County.