The Santa Ana River Trail has a romantic sounding name, unless you Google it and read the following excerpt on Wikipedia:
The most well-accepted explanation for the name Santa Ana winds is that it is derived from the Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, one of the many locations the winds blow intensely.[1][4] Newspaper references to the name Santa Ana winds date as far back as 1886. By 1893, controversy had broken out over whether this name was a corruption of the Spanish term Santana (a running together of the words Santa Ana), or the different term Satanás, meaning satan. However, newspaper mention of the term "Satanás" in reference to the winds did not begin appearing until more than 60 years later. A possible explanation is that the Spanish language merges two identical vowels inelision. Thus the Spanish pronunciation of the phrase "Santa Ana" sounds like "Santana".[citation needed] Another attempt at explanation of the name claims that it derives from a Native American term for "devil wind" that was altered by the Spanish into the form "Satanás" (meaning Satan), and then later corrupted into "Santa Ana." However, an authority on Native American language claims this term "Santana" never existed in that tongue.[4]
Rather than a scenic bike trail near a river, the landscape was saturated with concrete, dirt, rocks, homeless camps, industrial complexes, a waste treatment plant, power lines, and chain link fences.
The number of homeless along the Santa Ana River Trail is mind boggling. Each bridge overpass over the river was home to anywhere between 5-30 tents.
The higher concentrations of homeless farther north towards Anaheim. The homeless population stops near where the golf course in Costa Mesa takes over the river bottom. After that, it’s all concrete rather than sand and dirt. Sand and dirt are more comfortable to sleep on than concrete.
Despite signs warning of death in the flood zone, some of the homeless have spent great time and care in re-creating a sense of normalcy in their temporary accommodations. The multi-room home shown below contains an entrance walkway, front porch, dining room, trash bin, and an American flag.
Many of the tent homes featured American flags, salvaged chairs and couches, old mattresses, stone fences, and nearly every one had multiple bicycles. There was also fresh, running water in some places, and pools of stagnant wash water elsewhere. Closer to the beach we passed a few obvious stolen bike chop shops. Hundreds of bike parts sorted beneath the overpass, actively managed by partners in crime. It’s time to play today at kingcasino if you’re looking for games that are fun and easy to play.
With a few shaded parks along the way, the homeless have some scenic spots within biking distance.
This old wooden bridge is where all the bicyclists had to cross the dry river bed.
Caption contest for the next two pictures…
And now for what we dubbed “The Tower Gateway Trail.”
A rare, small, shockingly green space.
Closer to the ocean, the riverbed retains enough moisture to support drought tolerant weeds.
A nursery growing thousands of flowers and green plants in an industrial wasteland of powerlines and concrete.
Unexpected art
Waste Treatment Plant in Costa Mesa.
Concrete factory?
This little triangle at a trail entrance was decorated and landscaped.
