Pico-Lowell

Just blocks from Santa Ana’s sparkling downtown, Pico-Lowell is a walkable neighborhood that celebrates creativity in all aspects of the community, making it a vibrant place to call home.

Pico-Lowell’s streets shine with healthy, colorful plants. Behind the short palm trees and vibrant rose bushes, you’ll find a diverse collection of homes, most of which are single-level and showcase a cottage or bungalow style, some of which are fixer-uppers, which means you can find a bargain if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves. Additionally, some homes feature ornate iron fencing around the front yard, perfectly framing the landscaped gardens, and back yards often feature ADUs or greenspace where kids can play. The streets are lined with mature, leafy trees that offer abundant shade on the sidewalks, making it pleasant and easy to navigate the neighborhood on foot. Prices range from $450,000 for 940 square feet to $780,000 for 1,500 square feet. If you’re looking for a home with a bit less upkeep, you can find condos and town houses clustered in the neighborhood’s northwest section, ranging from $235,000 for 630 square feet to $450,000 for 960 square feet.

Students living in Pico-Lowell can attend Heroes Elementary School and Willard Intermediate School, which both maintain grades of C on Niche. Most students will move on to attend Santa Ana High School, which maintains a grade of B- on Niche. Established in 1889, Santa Ana High School is the oldest high school in Orange County and offers academic and artistic programs you won’t find elsewhere: Students interested in a film or law career can take specialized academy programs, and the SanArts Conservatory programs offer extensive instruction in visual, culinary and performance arts. Throughout the neighborhood, students will see dozens of examples of how public art can beautify and unite a community, inspiring them to continue pursuing creative dreams well after high school.

One of those beautified locations is Angels Community Park, where the basketball courts are lined with mural-covered walls. The murals are presented in a variety of styles, from playful and whimsical designs to realistic portraits illustrating the community’s heritage. Locals gather at this beloved, almost 2-acre park for picnics on the lawn, and there’s usually a chorus of laughter coming from the colorful blue and red playground. At nearby Birch Park, which is home to the Santa Ana Senior Center, outdoor exercise equipment helps residents stay active. The 2.5-acre park also includes picnic shelters and lots of leafy trees, which offer a shady respite from the summer sun during local events like plays and day fairs organized by the community. But art has its place here, too: In the fall, you can cozy up on a blanket while enjoying a Halloween-themed evening movie series sponsored by The Frida Cinema, which sits just a handful of blocks east. And if you’d prefer an indoor experience, you’ll find an eclectic calendar of films at the cinema itself, which is named after famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

After relaxing at the cinema, head next door and enjoy a creative meal in the mural-adorned 4th Street Market. Here, you’ll find options to suit almost every craving, including inventive fusion restaurants such as Mix n’ Bowl, which combines Latin and Asian cuisines for an unmatched culinary experience. A few blocks away, you can turn a new page by joining the social dining scene at Chapter One, which is located in an old bookstore and is a favorite of says Stacey May, Realtor with Compass. “Seasonal menus, wine pairing nights and bottomless mimosas at brunch, what’s not to love?” she says. There’s even more to love at La Super Birria, a popular neighborhood spot with a cozy interior of brick, wood and leather in rich red tones. The door to this local favorite is almost always propped open, enticing passersby with the savory aroma of slow-cooked beef and warm Mexican spices.

Once you’ve collected some inspiration from the local restaurants, you can pick up ingredients for your own recipe at the Santa Ana Food Market or make the short trip over to the Food4Less in Downtown Plaza. With a creative spark that flows from parks to schools to restaurants, Pico-Lowell invites homebuyers to stop and smell the roses — and the birria — in this lively Santa Ana community.

Written By

Sara Huffman

Photography Contributed By

Ling Ge

Video By

Anne Sheridan