- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Anaheim
Anaheim began in 1857 as a German wine colony, long before theme parks defined it. Its agricultural roots are seen in the 1919 Anaheim Packing House, a former Sunkist plant. While mid-century modernism shapes the Resort District, the Mother Colony House stands as a key historical site.
Beyond the resorts, Yorba Regional Park offers 140 acres with four lakes for biking and recreation. For a quieter escape, the Oak Canyon Nature Center has 58 acres of woodland trails. These natural spaces are among the best reasons to visit Anaheim.
The city's food scene thrives in the Anaheim Packing District, a hub for diverse culinary concepts. When visiting Anaheim, explore Little Arabia for authentic shawarma and falafel. The local craft beer culture is also strong with spots like Bottle Logic.
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Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, moderate crowds
- Jul-Aughot, peak tourist season
- Wintercool, occasional rain
- #ComfortableShoes
- #Sunscreen
- #LightJacket
- #PowerAdapterTypeA
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 days including beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is the official language
- #Disneyland
- #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure
- #DowntownDisney
- #AngelStadium
- #AnaheimPackingDistrict
- #HondaCenter
- Explore Disneyland Park
- Dine at the Anaheim Packing District
- Catch a game at Angel Stadium
- Visit the Anaheim GardenWalk
- Experience the nightlife at Downtown Disney
Recommended Hotels in Anaheim by Experience
Things to do in Anaheim
Discover
Exploring Anaheim reveals more than just theme parks. Discover iconic sights like Disneyland Park, relax in the natural beauty of Yorba Regional Park, and delve into local history at the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center, all within Orange County.
Experience
Catch an Anaheim Ducks hockey game at the Honda Center, explore the Downtown Farmers Market for local produce, or enjoy outdoor concerts at Pearson Park Amphitheatre. The city offers diverse sporting events, culinary tours, and seasonal festivals.
Disneyland Park
The original Disney theme park with iconic rides and characters.
Disney California Adventure Park
Theme park celebrating the history and culture of California.
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Iconic ballpark, home to the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.
Honda Center
Premier entertainment and sports venue, home of the Ducks.
Yorba Regional Park
Expansive park with lakes for fishing, trails, and picnics.
MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center
Museum featuring local history and traveling art exhibitions.
Pearson Park Amphitheatre
Outdoor venue hosting summer concerts, plays, and events.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Fly into John Wayne Airport (SNA) for the quickest Anaheim airport to city center transfer (~20 min). LAX offers more flights but is an hour away. The Metrolink or Amtrak train to Anaheim arrives at ARTIC, a central hub for bus and shuttle links.
Getting Around
The ART system is a key Anaheim shuttle bus service for theme parks and hotels. Use the A-Way WeGo app for passes. Beyond this public transport in Anaheim, a car rental is best for exploring Orange County. Ride-sharing is also widely available.
Local Essentials
When driving in Anaheim, be prepared for heavy traffic, especially near theme parks. Pre-booking park tickets and ART passes online saves time. For those who plan a trip to Anaheim, check hotel parking fees as they can be substantial.
Where to Stay in Anaheim
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Explore Anaheim's fun food scene. Taste the iconic Dole Whip or a handcrafted cocktail. The dining rhythm shifts from quick theme park bites to leisurely character meals, a unique local habit. It's all about maximizing fun and flavor.
Enjoy
Eat at Blue Bayou for an immersive, moonlit meal. Book early. Sip at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, a vibrant spot. Catch music. Unwind at the nostalgic Carnation Cafe. Request patio. This is the Anaheim food and drink guide.
Napa Rose
Upscale Californian fare. Perfect for special occasions.
Blue Bayou Restaurant
Creole dishes inside a ride. Book well in advance.
The Cheesecake Factory
Huge menu of American classics. Expect long wait times.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co
Family-friendly seafood fun. Forrest Gump themed.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Anaheim's heritage through the Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade, a tradition since 1924. Experience the city's German roots at Oktoberfest and celebrate Mexican culture at the lively Cinco de Mayo festivities with music and food.
Enjoy
Discover Anaheim's modern pulse at major conventions like the NAMM Show for music technology or WonderCon for pop culture. The city offers many things to do, from large-scale concerts to local art crawls, a must-see for creative souls.
Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade
A historic October event with a parade and family-friendly fun.
The NAMM Show
January trade show for music products, tech, and live events.
WonderCon
Major March convention for comics, sci-fi, and pop culture fans.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May festival with live music, dancing, and authentic food.
Taste of Anaheim
A popular May food festival showcasing local restaurant food.
Nutcracker Holiday Village
December street fair with a tree lighting and festive treats.
BlizzCon
A major convention for video game fans held in the fall.
Great Family Destination
Anaheim is so much more than just the parks. The whole area is clean, safe, and super easy to navigate. We found some great spots to eat at the GardenWalk. It's just a really well-organized city for a family vacation.
Full of Excitement
The feeling around the resort district is just full of excitement. So much energy everywhere you go. Everything is perfectly maintained, and the staff are incredibly helpful. The churros here are a must-try, seriously delicious.
Perfect for a Conference
Anaheim is perfect for conventions. The Convention Center is massive and well-connected to hotels. In the evening, it was easy to find good places for dinner with clients. It's a very functional and pleasant place to be for work.
Awesome Food Hall
The food scene here is great if you look for it. The Anaheim Packing District is a cool spot with tons of options in an old building. So many different kinds of food stalls to choose from. A really fun place to hang out.
Solid Sports Trip
Came for a hockey game at the Honda Center and had a great time. The arena is easy to get to, and the crowd was really into it. Found some decent bars nearby for before the game. It's a solid city for catching a game.
Convenient Home Base
A really convenient home base for exploring the area. Driving around is straightforward, and you can get to the coast quickly. Seeing Angel Stadium lit up at night was cool. It's well-positioned for seeing more than just one city.