Anaheim, California is famous for being the home of Disneyland, but there are plenty of other things that put this city on the map! Located in Orange County, Anaheim is in southern California, just a short drive from the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles.
Prior to Disneyland’s construction, Anaheim was known for its orange groves, and visitors can still see plenty of orange, lemon, and avocado trees throughout the area. Tourists can look into an Anaheim passenger van rental and enjoy a leisurely ride through the fragrant countryside as they head towards some of the more popular tourist destinations.
Of course, the biggest tourist destination in Anaheim is Disneyland. The Disneyland Resort area encompasses several Disney theme parks and hotels, and families can easily spend a few days visiting all the resort has to offer. There’s much more to Anaheim than just Disneyland, though! Here are some other fun things the city has to offer locals and visitors alike:
- Muzeo – a world-class museum that recently opened in Anaheim, the Muzeo bills itself as “a center for arts, knowledge, entertainment and culture.” In addition to their everyday exhibits, the Muzeo also hosts traveling exhibits from around the world, and is a perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon.
- Yorba Regional Park – While in gorgeous Orange County, visitors should definitely schedule some time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. One of the best ways to do this is to visit Yorba Regional Park. A calm oasis from the excitement in nearby Disney, Yorba Regional Park is just one-mile long and is located at the mouth of the Santa Ana Canyon. The park has playgrounds, bike trails, and a picnic and grilling area, making it a great spot to take a break and have a picnic lunch or dinner.
- Golden Vine Winery – this winery is actually located in Disney’s California Adventure, part of the Disneyland resort area, but it merits its own mention. The quality and variety of the wine list receives rave reviews from visitors, and the winery also has an attached restaurant, where the food is often described as the best at Disney. If you’re in the midst of walking through the park and find yourself needing a break from all the kids and excitement, you should definitely head over to the Golden Vine. Best of all, the price list is very affordable, so you can indulge without feeling guilty!
- Anaheim Ballet – Looking to dress up during your vacation? Check out the Anaheim Ballet, a resident ballet company that presents concerts throughout the year (including the traditional Nutcracker performances for the holiday season). If you’d like to catch a show while in town, we recommend checking ahead of time to make sure they have a concert scheduled, as the ballet company frequently goes on tours to neighboring states.
- Air Combat USA – If you’ve been racking your brain for the perfect present for your boyfriend or husband, you’ve got to visit Air Combat USA! It’s an actual civilian dogfighting school, where they aim to provide as authentic an experience as possible (minus the bullets!). Air Combat offers a variety of packages, varying in length and price (pricing starts at about $1,300 for a 2 – 3 hour experience), so you can find the best fit for both your experience and budget.
- Mighty Ducks of Anaheim – for those who’d rather watch the action than be a part of it (or those of us who grew up watching the Mighty Ducks movies), score some tickets to a Mighty Ducks game during hockey season. The Ducks are one of the best teams out there, having won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and regularly making it to the playoffs every years since 2006, so fans are practically guaranteed a great game!
- Adventure City – Anaheim is home to both one of the largest theme parks in California (Disneyland) and one of the smallest – Adventure City. Adventure City is a favorite of parents with small children, as the rides are geared towards those 5 and under. Though often overshadowed by Disney and Knotts Berry Farm (just down the road in Buena Park, CA), Adventure City is a well-loved by both kids and parents who stumble upon this little gem. For parents, highlights include free parking, short or nonexistent lines, and reasonable fees. Kids enjoy the unlimited rides (so they can ride their favorites over and over again), and the atmosphere is much more calm and laid-back, so neither kids nor parents feel overwhelmed.
Anaheim visitors should also allot some time to touring the beautiful California countryside. Take half a day and a car rental and enjoy a leisurely drive through the beautiful vineyards and orange groves scattered throughout the area.
Whether you’re planning a visit to Disneyland or a beach-and-spa getaway in the OC, be sure to schedule time into your trip to visit some of the many other attractions Anaheim has to offer!
