Spotlight: Anaheim
There’s more to this Orange County town than the Magic Kingdom
For most visitors to Anaheim, California, Disneyland is the area’s belle of the ball. The world-famous theme park and its sister park, Disney California Adventure, provide no shortage of entertainment and fun for visitors of all ages. Fresh off its 60th anniversary, Disneyland welcomes guests to enjoy new evening shows, including an LED parade, a fireworks event and more variety at World of Color.
Disney California Adventure has upgraded several sections of the park with new landscaping and structures that complement their themes, and at least one new ride is set to open. When the fun is done, relax and cruise through Downtown Disney, where street vendors, shops and dining combine to create more Disney magic for theme-park enthusiasts.
Although Anaheim is the original home of Mickey Mouse and the Disney family, the county offers more for visitors than the land of the mouse. Below are some of Anaheim’s other prime attractions.
Packing District
Downtown Anaheim pays homage to the area’s historic citrus-packing industry at the Anaheim Packing District, a collection of refurbished historic structures that now house restaurants. The district’s two main buildings are the Packard Building and car showroom (built 1925) and the Anaheim Citrus Packing House (built 1919). In addition to more than 20 dining spots and live music on the weekends, the Packing District offers a community kitchen and a backyard with an adjoining orange grove for intimate gatherings.
Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau
Yorba Regional Park
Enjoy the fresh air and California sun at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim. This mile-wide park next to the Santa Ana River offers 140 acres studded with four lakes with connecting streams, bicycle trails and picnic tables as well as baseball diamonds, a physical fitness course and horseshoe pits.
Santiago Oaks
Santiago Oaks Regional Park in nearby Orange is another great outdoor excursion waiting to be enjoyed. This park lies along the Santiago River, encompassing 1,269 acres of mountain vistas, orange trees and a mature forest that is home to several different tree species. Interconnecting trails for hiking and biking provide the opportunity to spot local wildlife as well. Also at Santiago Oaks, a nature center offers exhibits and programs throughout the year, including hosted nature walks.
Adventure City
Head out to Adventure City with kids and grandkids for a great deal of fun in a little theme park. Learn what it’s like to be a firefighter or police officer, then head to the miniature airport terminal to learn about aviation and take off in a hot-air-balloon ride. Adventure City is suitable for guests of all ages and is an ideal place to host group and family gatherings.
Camelot Golfland
More family fun is found at Camelot Golfland, an amusement complex with miniature golf, laser tag, bumper boats a variety of entertaining rides and games. Choose one or two activities or spend the afternoon experiencing everything inside the walls of this castle of fun.
Anaheim Hills Golf Course
Anaheim Hills Golf Course offers a tranquil respite from the busy streets and amusement parks for golfers who want to enjoy the pleasant scenery while working on their swing. Anaheim Hills is a par-71 course dotted with trees and nestled against a quintessential California hillside.
Anaheim Farmers Market
Eat fresh and local at Anaheim Farmers Market, held downtown in conjunction with a craft fair on Thursday afternoons. Local farmers bring their wares for tasting and selling, and artisans tempt shoppers with handmade treasures. Grab a snack from one of over a dozen quick dining establishments selling treats like artisan breads, tamales and kettle corn.
Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau
Anaheim Arts
The Sawdust Art and Craft Festival offers year-found exhibits and events for lovers of painting and sculpture. Take a class or peruse a gallery of creative works from local artists. The Bowers Museum in nearby Santa Ana displays everything from Native American artifacts to modern art. Special exhibits for children keep kids engaged.
Ramon Peralta Adobe Historic Site
The Spanish influence on Southern California lives on at the Ramon Peralta Adobe Historic Site. Set on land that once was part of the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana, the Peralta Adobe houses a museum that features the history of the Santa Ana Canyon, from the time of the earliest Spanish explorers in the late 1700s to the present day. Artifacts excavated on-site are displayed, along with a room furnished in the period style and photographs of the region’s early settlers.
Muzeo Museum
Art, culture and innovation combine to enthrall visitors to Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center. In addition to three traveling exhibitions each year, Muzeo displays a wide variety of art and photography themes that provide deep insights into nature, community history, societal trends and more. The adjacent Heritage Center features a reading room in addition to historical documents that are available for research purposes.
SwingIt Trapeze
If you, or a family member, have ever dreamed of running away with the circus, SwingIt Trapeze will train you—or at least provide a taste of the acrobatic life. SwingIt provides trapeze and acrobatic classes by trained professionals, satisfying the high-flying daredevil in all of us.
For More Information
Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau
855-405-5020
www.anaheimoc.org
California Travel and Tourism Commission
877-225-4367
www.visitcalifornia.com
