Overview
Westminster is a city in Orange County, Southern California.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Westminster
Little Saigon
Little Saigon is the hotspot for Vietnamese American culture. Many Vietnamese retail, business, restaurants could be found inside here.
Museum of the History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces
Reportedly the only museum in the world specifically dedicated to the history of the Republic of Vietnam and its armed forces.
The Rinks - Westminster ICE
Ice Palace is an indoor skating rink.
The Library Gentlemen's Club
Jolt down the street for drinks, lunch specials, and live adult entertainment.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 48°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Anaheim)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LGB Long Beach International Airport, Long Beach — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
Accessible by Interstate 405 and the 22 Freeway. Major streets such as Beach Blvd. and Bolsa Chica Ave. run through the city.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Museum of the History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Little Saigon
- Lunch Lee's Sandwiches
- Afternoon The Rinks - Westminster ICE, The Library Gentlemen's Club
- Dinner Tommy's Original Hamburgers
- Evening Michael's Sports Pub and Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Westminster, founded in 1870 by Rev. Lemuel Webber, is known for its high density of Vietnamese Americans who reside in United States as they sought refuge from the Communists in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. In fact, it has 36,058 Vietnamese Americans in the area and is also considered by many to be the 'capital' of overseas Vietnamese.
In 1996, Westminster won the All-America City award.
Get in
By car
Accessible by Interstate 405 and the 22 Freeway. Major streets such as Beach Blvd. and Bolsa Chica Ave. run through the city.
By plane
Accessible by either John Wayne Airport (SNA) or Long Beach Airport (LGB). Los Angeles International, Burbank International, Ontario International, Palm Springs International, or San Diego International are within a 1.5-hour, 100-mile radius.
By bus
Accessible by OCTA or Greyhound bus services.
By train
Amtrak California Surfliner/Metrolink serves several locations throughout Orange County.
Get around
Using a car, walking or taking a bus is advisable. Hitchhiking is not recommended.
See
See Little Saigon
Little Saigon is the hotspot for Vietnamese American culture. Many Vietnamese retail, business, restaurants could be found inside here.
Do
Buy
Shop The Asian Garden Mall
the largest majority Vietnamese-owned and operated mall in America, and a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. The two-story mall houses dozens of shops, restaurants, and wholesale stores of all types, including a wide variety of imported products and foods. Many stores place no price tags on their merchandise, and buyers are expected to haggle with shopkeepers (A better price is generally had by someone with fluency in the Vietnamese language).
Exotic silks, objets d'art, food stuffs, and other items are readily available in Westminster, whether at the Westminster Mall, ultra-luxurious South Coast Plaza down the road, or Little Saigon.
Eat
Budget
Eat Lee's Sandwiches
Hot baguettes, fresh sandwiches, traditional Vietnamese sandwiches, fruit smoothies, coffee and French pastries are wonderful choices for a nice snack or quick meal. Several locations including some with drive-through windows.
Eat Tommy's Original Hamburgers
Tommy's is a true Southern California staple with its chili cheeseburgers and fries.
Eat Taqueria Mexico
Enjoy authentic Mexican tacos and burritos at this affectionately-described hole in the wall. Open 24 hours.
Splurge
Drink
Drink Michael's Sports Pub and Grill
Michael's is a great place to watch sports, play bar games, and drink large glasses of cold beer with your friends. It has great appetizers and nightly drink specials. It features a bit of a younger crowd though inland of its Huntington Beach counterparts.
Several bars, liquor stores and supermarkets in the area sell hard liquor. Most restaurants serve a collection of world beers, wines, and spirits.
Sleep
Go next
- Disneyland - Spend a day at the "Happiest Place on Earth". Located off the 5 Freeway in nearby Anaheim.
Nearby
Garden Grove
City / town · 15 listings · 3 mi away
Stanton
City / town · 5 listings · 4 mi away
Fountain Valley
City / town · 13 listings · 4 mi away
Huntington Beach
City / town · 38 listings · 4 mi away
Cypress
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
Los Alamitos
City / town · 12 listings · 5 mi away
Disneyland
City / town · 170 listings · 6 mi away
Santa Ana
City / town · 38 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
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