Westminster: Little Saigon and City History

Westminster brings together city history, Vietnamese American culture, events, and places for recreation. If you’re looking for a hotel in Westminster, these different features can help guide your choice of where to stay: Little Saigon shapes the cultural context, while the museum, theater, festivals, and parks appeal to other interests.

City History and Little Saigon

Westminster was founded in the 19th century by Reverend Lemuel P. Webber as Orange County’s second Presbyterian temperance colony, after Anaheim. The history of its first business district can also be traced to a specific location: it was established on Almond Avenue, now called Westminster Boulevard. A historic founding and a street name still in use today thus stand side by side.

Little Saigon took shape in Westminster and Garden Grove after Vietnamese refugees settled there in the 1970s and 1980s. Vietnamese architecture, festivals, and businesses all contribute to its cultural identity. Little Saigon developed across two cities; the Asian Garden Mall is a specific hub in Westminster’s Little Saigon. It spans 150,000 square feet and includes Vietnamese American businesses and cultural activities. The mix of individual businesses and events may change.

Cultural Sites and Performing Arts

The Westminster Historical Society displays local artifacts and records at the Westminster Museum, located in Blakey Historical Park. Another way to explore local history is the Mendez Tribute Monument Park and Freedom Trail, with its information panels and interactive augmented reality features. The sites differ in how they share history: local artifacts and records at one, panels and digital interactions at the other.

The Rose Center Theater gives the community access to high-quality performing arts and has 419 seats. The stage adds a distinct focus on performance to the historic sites.

Year-Round Events

For more than two decades, the Westminster Tet Parade has celebrated Lunar New Year in Little Saigon. Parade features include floats, marching bands, lion dances, color guards, and martial arts. Veterans’ and youth organizations, elected officials, scout and community organizations, and local and international businesses also take part. Multicultural attire is another part of the event. Individual participants may change, as may the dates and program.

The Westminster Fall Festival is held annually at the Westminster Civic Center; its dates vary from year to year. If you’re planning your trip around one of these festivals, check the specific event dates before making plans.

Parks and Recreation

Westminster has 24 parks. The city’s offerings include picnic areas, ball fields, basketball courts, playground equipment, and other recreational facilities. Liberty Skate Park is designed for skaters from beginners to advanced. It is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until dusk. Since hours may change, check them before your visit. The range of parks and the facility specifically designed for skating offer different kinds of recreation.

Sigler Park Splash Pad offers public hours and can be rented for private use. It opens seasonally on Memorial Day weekend. Before visiting, check operating details and the availability of private rentals.

Discover more destinations: Brea, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton

For the broader travel overview: Orange.