Owl the Best of Santa Ana

Sips at the Blinking Owl Distillery and a Walk in Old Santa Ana

Old town, new spirit! Historic downtown Santa Ana is home to the first craft distillery in Orange County. Blinking Owl Distillery, named for a once-iconic bar on the corner of Birch and 3rd Streets, has a walk-in tasting room—plus it’s a great launch pad for exploring old Santa Ana landmarks.

Blinking Owl distills a variety of spirits worth sampling, including an OC Orange Vodka that’s flavored with fruit from Heritage Museum of Orange County. Their truly tasty limited-release Old Tom Gin, is “vacationed” for three months in a Napa wine barrel. You can also imbibe some creative craft cocktails. Try the signature Swedish Fish, which contains their own aquavit made with a touch of hibiscus, the official flower of Santa Ana. Don’t miss out on a tour of the lab, where bourbon and rye whiskey are aging to perfection—and where you’ll find out why the beautiful hybrid copper still is named Bastian Penelope Coco Frigalicious.

POST-SIPS STROLL: After the tour, stroll downtown Santa Ana on a 3-mile round trip. Heading south, navigate to French and 4th Streets and head west on 4th to enter the heart of DTSA. Murals on your left flank the 104-year-old Yost Theater, while the 4th Street Market (home to a slew of restaurants) is on your right. Continue to Sycamore and turn right to behold the magnificent Old Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival building that has appeared in many films. On your right is the 1889 Queen Anne–style Howe-Waffle House—not a breakfast joint, but rather the former home of one of the county’s first female physicians. Head back to 4th and walk west, turning left at Birch Street and left on 2nd Street to reach the center of the Santa Ana Art Walk (first Saturday of every month). Look for the bird-masked bronze sculptures by Mexican Artist Jorge Marin and a variety of galleries. When you reach a dead-end at Main Street, head north up to 4th and follow your path back to the distillery. What a hoot, eh?

Take the I-5 to the Penn Way exit. Go south on Penn Way, followed by a left on Washington St. The Blinking Owl is on your immediate right. Street parking. A 45-minute tour is $30, which includes tasting. Tours are at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. Visit the Blinking Owl website to make reservations. No dogs in distillery.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View