Anaheim, CA Road Trips

Anaheim was founded in 1857, when the ranchero Juan Pacífico Ontiveros sold part of his land to 50 German-American families who had looked for an area to grow grapes. Throughout its early existence, Anaheim was a rural community, and orange groves and other cash crops dominated the landscape. That changed in 1955, with the opening of Disneyland, attracting tourist interest in the area, which was followed by increased population and economic growth. While the city of Anaheim stretches across 20 mi (32 km) roughly around State Route 91 (the Riverside Freeway), the tourist core centers around the Disneyland Resort property, located in the south-central part of the city. The Angels and Ducks play about 2 mi (3.2 km) east of the Disneyland Resort. Visit Anaheim website

1 Disneyland. Anaheim's main claim to fame since opening in 1955. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Disney California Adventure. A newer addition to Disneyland. It opened in 2001 and has separate admission fees. (updated Dec 2023)

There are two professional sports teams that play in Anaheim: 1 Los Angeles Angels, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 Gene Autry Way, ☏ +1 714-940-2000. The Los Angeles area's American League baseball team. 2 Anaheim Ducks, 2695 East Katella Ave (Honda Center), ☏ +1 714-704-2400. An NHL Hockey team that plays across from Angel Stadium in the Honda Center (formerly the Arrowhead Pond). You can see Disney On Ice shows here, and it is also open for public skating. 3 Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Ave (just south of Disneyland.), ☏ +1 714-765-8950. Check out the events taking place. 4 Flightdeck Air Combat Center, 1601 S. Sunkist St. Unit A, ☏ +1 714-937-1511. noon-6PM. Opened in 2005, it is an authentic military flight simulation center providing civilians the chance to pilot a fighter jet flight simulator. All Sims are full scale replicas of F-16 cockpits. Flight-gear, training and in-flight instruction are provided. Flightdeck has been reviewed on many "things to do" sites and is consistently rated in the top 10 things to do in Orange County. $49-79. 5 Camelot Golfland. , 6 Sky Zone Anaheim.

There are lots of places to eat in and around Disneyland. 1 Earl of Sandwich, 1556 Disneyland Dr, ☏ +1 714-817-7476. At Downtown Disney, along with many other restaurants, such as ESPN Zone and Rainforest Café. 2 Mama Cozza's Italian Restaurant, 2170 W. Ball Rd (exit from the I-5 Freeway on to Ball Road; from Disneyland head south on Harbor Blvd, turn right on to Katella Ave., right on to Euclid St., then left on to W. Ball Road), ☏ +1 714-635-0063, [email protected]. M-Th 11AM-11PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Located two miles west of Disneyland, Mama Cozza's is a somewhat secluded Italian restaurant serving pizzas, pastas, and steaks. The "Mama Sauce" is Mama Cozza's thicker marinara sauce and goes great on the lasagna and other pastas. Expect to pay from $10-15 for pasta dishes, $15-30 for mains, plus drinks from $2. 3 Downtown Disney. Promenade area just outside the park with lots of shopping and restaurant facilities, catering for adults as well as younger people. For example House of Blues Anaheim offers good food and beer as well as live music and the Rainforest Cafe a great environment to take the kids too. Free, parking fee cancelled if you make a purchase. (updated Aug 2015) 4 The Cheesecake Factory, 321 W Katella Avenue, ☏ +1 714-533-7500. Good selection of meals as well as cakes and drinks. (updated Aug 2015) 5 Cortina's Italian Market, 2175 W Orange Ave, ☏ +1 714-535-1948. Italian food market with simple order at counter and sit down restaurant. Serves very good pizza and pasta dishes.

Despite being one of the most popular destinations for tourists in California, Anaheim has very little to offer in terms of nightlife. Most nightlife destination are restaurant bars or dive bars. Those looking for a more exciting nightlife should travel to the nearby areas of Downtown Fullerton (10-15 min) or Newport Beach (20-25 min). 1 Bottle Logic Brewing, 1072 N Armando St, ☏ +1 714-660-2537, [email protected]. M-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-midnight. Microbrewery and tasting room. (updated Jan 2026) 2NOT EXISTING IMAGE Doll Hut, 107 S Adams St, ☏ +1 562-277-0075. M-F 7PM-midnight, Sa Su 1PM-midnight. An intimate bar and live music venue near the 5 freeway and Lincoln. Tons and tons of stickers on every wall. Cash only, with an ATM in the back. Pretty rough around the edges and exterior, but a very friendly atmosphere. Drinks are inexpensive, with some on tap, in bottles, and even a couple of cocktails. Punching machine, arcade machines, and a cigarette machine are in the back. Free. (updated Jan 2026) 3 Strong Water Anaheim, 270 S Clementine St, ☏ +1 714-844-1875. M-W 5-11PM, Th F 5PM-midnight, Sa noon-middnight, Su noon-10PM. Reservations required for entry. Indoor entry also requires you to be 21+ but the patio is for all ages, Thursday through Sunday. Tiki themed bar with a small interior. Also serves food and merchandise. (updated Apr 2026)

There are many hotels, motels and inns all around Disneyland for all budgets and tastes. See the Disneyland article for accommodations within the Disneyland Resort. 1 Alpine Inn, 715 West Katella Ave (near South Harbor Blvd, adjacent to Disneyland). Traditional 2-story motel with exterior corridors and no elevator, and with pool and parking in the center, is located across the street (Katella) from the Anaheim Convention Center. Although it backs into Disneyland, the entrances to Disneyland (the south entrance is closed) are a short drive or a good 10-min walk away. Basic continental breakfast, wifi, use of a computer in the lobby, and microwave and refrigerator in room are all free. 2 Americas Best Value Inn & Suites (At the Park / Convention Center), 425 West Katella Ave (on Katella Avenue near Harbor Blvd), ☏ +1 714-776-2815. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Large heated outdoor swimming pool and spa. Complimentary breakfast, free parking and Internet access price=$69-199. 3 Astoria Inn & Suites, 426 West Ball Rd, ☏ +1 714-774-3882. Offers amenities such as a shuttle to Disneyland, pool, spa, high speed internet, continental breakfast, and guest laundry. 4 Cortona Inn and Suites, 2029 S. Harbor Blvd. A Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel offering family suite lodging accommodations with bunk beds, complimentary continental breakfast, and outdoor heated pool and whirlpool. 5 Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel, 900 South Disneyland Dr, ☏ +1 714-778-1700, toll-free: +1-844-227-8535. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM.

The 5 goes directly through Anaheim and can be reached from Los Angeles on the 5 or 91 East. In rush hour, it may be faster to use Route 91 even if it is longer as it is less congested. The 57 Freeway also runs down the Eastern side of Anaheim and is the quickest way to reach that side of the city from the cities just north of Anaheim or from Diamond Bar, Pomona, or Ontario areas. If you are not familiar with Southern California traffic plan on it being congested even outside of peak times and many drivers driving very aggressively. Try to keep your calm even in stressful situations. The closest commercial airports are John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana (SNA IATA) followed by Long Beach Airport (LGB IATA), while the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX IATA) is the largest one in the area. Ontario airport (ONT IATA) is also a popular choice as it is not much further than LAX, often with far less traffic and hassle. For those who rent a car or take a taxi, travel time from SNA is about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. From LAX, the trip takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic. A taxi from SNA costs about $40; from LAX, about $70. For most people who don't rent a car, shared shuttle van service is an economical option. The shuttle will make multiple stops, but you will be delivered right to the door of your hotel. From LAX, the cost is about $16 per person one way/$32 per person round trip, plus tip. From SNA, the cost is about $10 per person one way/$20 per person roundtrip, plus tip.

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), ☏ +1 714-636-7433. Provides bus service within Anaheim and to neighboring communities. Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART), ☏ +1 714-563-5287. Provides shuttle service to area tourist destinations, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Angel's Stadium, Honda Center, Knott's Berry Farm, Medieval Times, Crystal Cathedral, and more. (updated Dec 2023)

Anaheim is considered one of the safest cities in the United States considering its size. Anaheim has a low rape and murder rate, although the rape rate has been growing, along with the national average. By far, the most dangerous crime is aggravated assault. Common sense must be used after dark, and never travel alone. Anaheim was mostly spared during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.