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Last week, I had the opportunity to join a small group of travel writers on a trip to Orange County in Southern California! We spent a couple of days exploring Santa Ana with a fantastic local guide who shared many hidden gems with us, one of which is Alta Baja Market in downtown Santa Ana, California.
I quickly fell in love with Alta Baja Market, and it’s exactly the type of place I would frequent regularly if I lived in the area! Sipping on unique micheladas while feeling the light breeze come in through the screened garage doors was my literal happy place. I also had the chance to shop their beautiful artisan products, before they sent us off with five bottles of Mexican wine for an afternoon tasting.
Alta Baja Market Santa Ana, California
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, Alta Baja Market is connected to the popular 4th Street Market at the corner of 4th Street and Bush.
Alta Baja Market Address: 201 E 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
This laid-back and welcoming shop and restaurant is female-owned. It focuses on fresh ingredients and authentic products from California, Mexico, and the American Southwest.
Locals know owner Delilah Snell for her incredible contributions to Santa Ana beyond her cafe, including hosting community events and mentoring opportunities for local youth. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her. Her passion and love for what she does shone through with every word she spoke.
Beyond that, the food and drink items were incredibly fresh. Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about Delilah’s fresh tomato jam. But what really stole my heart was her selection of fresh micheladas. Up until then, I believed that all micheladas were just beer, Clamato juice, and a Tajin rim. Boy, was I wrong!
Alta Baja’s Unique Michelada Menu
I love a traditional michelada. So, when I saw a michelada tasting or two (or three) on our Santa Ana itinerary, I was immediately excited. That said, I was blown away by the variety of creative spins on micheladas all over Santa Ana!
At Alta Baja Market, Delilah specializes in unique micheladas using a variety of fruit juices and other mixers. I never expected to fall in love with her sweet and creamy coconut pineapple michelada. Polished off with a churro rim, La Traviesa tasted like a refreshing blend of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and fresh tropical breakfast juices – in the best way!
Another favorite of mine was La Bossona, a light and fruity michelada made with guava! Of course, you can opt for a more traditional michelada, or miche as they are frequently called, and order the La Mera Mera. Or, if you are feeling extra adventurous, order the El Carnicero. This extra-large traditional michelada comes with breakfast—literally! It’s topped with toast, a fried egg, avocado, and even bacon!
So, if you find yourself in downtown Santa Ana, and trust me, it’s worth the detour, make sure to grab a michelada from Alta Baja Market! And, if micheladas aren’t your thing, no problem! Delilah also offers a great selection of margaritas, ranch water, and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks.
FUN FACT: Did you know that you can find unique fresh micheladas all over Santa Ana, California? In fact, they have even created a Santa Ana Michelada Guide for locas and visitors alike!
The Largest Selection Of Mexican Wine In The USA
As I mentioned above, Alta Baja Market also offers a curated selection of Mexican wines—in fact, it’s the largest in the country. And these were chosen with love. The owner, Delilah, handpicked five Mexican wines from her store for us to take for later. As she described them, she talked about visiting the wineries and was incredibly knowledgeable.
Alta Baja also has a wonderfully curated selection of spirits, craft beer, and mixers. I only had a carry-on bag, but I would have loved to pick up some gifts!
Lunch & Snacks At Alta Baja Market
Alta Baja Market also serves breakfast and lunch and has a variety of small plates. We enjoyed a cheeseboard for our table, and it was fantastic. I am a huge fan of her jams, which is no surprise, as Delilah became a master preserver in 2009 and is the author of a cookbook called Beginner’s Guide to Preserving.
Make sure to try her famous New Mexican Blue Cornbread with honey butter! This has been a favorite among Alta Baja customers since the beginning, and I can attest that it is delicious!
Alta Baja Market Specialty Groceries & Gifts
No visit to Alta Baja Market is complete without browsing the wide selection of heirloom gifts, books, spices, chiles, beans, and other foods. Everything has been thoughtfully and intentionally selected, and there are so many great gift ideas for foodies.
I grabbed a soap and a small lavender lotion by Los Poblanos after hearing Delilah and Marlynn (of Urban Bliss Life) talking about their stays at this unique property in New Mexico. And, yes, I immediately followed them on Instagram and added it to my bucket list!
Community Events at Alta Baja Santa Ana
One last thing that I really appreciated at Alta Baja was the community event space and local board showcasing happenings in the area. What’s more, photos of people’s pets are showcased on the wall above the wine selection. It truly felt like a place where people felt loved, welcome, and at home. Likewise, it was evident that Delilah pours her heart and soul into this business, which is why I wanted to share it with you.
Click here for more information about local events at Alta Baja Market and trips hosted by Delilah.
More Travel Inspiration
As you can see, I was delighted to experience Alta Baja Market and highly recommend that you stop by on your trip to Santa Ana, California! Allow time to visit the other local stores at 4th Street Market Santa Ana and all over downtown. I was very impressed with the renovation efforts, and everywhere we went, there was another local just like Delilah!
I will have more travel blog posts and social media content from this trip over the coming weeks. So, make sure to follow along and request a free Travel Santa Ana Visitor’s Guide! These come in digital form or you can request one via mail.
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PIN: Alta Baja Santa Ana Market For Later
