It’s only around an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, but Anaheim is a world away for families, offering easy access to some of California’s favourite theme parks, beaches and attractions
Opening video: Visit Knott's Berry Farm! © Knott’s Berry Farm
As the home of Disneyland Resort in California, Anaheim is the ideal base for families wanting a bucket list experience. Tack on a few days in Los Angeles at the start or end of your trip if you like, but it makes just as much sense to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios and see the homes of movie stars on a day trip if you’d rather not have to change hotels. Here are six reasons why we think Anaheim is the best place to stay in the Golden State.
It’s only around an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, but Anaheim is a world away for families, offering easy access to some of California’s favourite theme parks, beaches and attractions
Opening image: The HangTime rollercoaster at Knott's Berry Farm
As the home of Disneyland Resort in California, Anaheim is the ideal base for families wanting a bucket list experience. Tack on a few days in Los Angeles at the start or end of your trip if you like, but it makes just as much sense to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios and see the homes of movie stars on a day trip if you’d rather not have to change hotels. Here are six reasons why we think Anaheim is the best place to stay in the Golden State.
1
It's close to LA
Anaheim lies in Orange County (yes, the one made famous by the hit drama series The O.C.) in Southern California. While it’s technically part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, it’s not in Los Angeles County and therefore not considered part of LA. Think of it like the Gold Coast in relation to Brisbane. The OC is generally viewed as being more family-friendly than its near neighbour, with fresher air, less crime and a more laid-back community feel.
2
It's easy to get to
It usually takes around 45 minutes to get to Anaheim from Los Angeles International Airport (known as LAX) with Karmel Shuttle. Qantas, Virgin Australia, United, Delta and American Airlines are among the carriers that fly there from Australia. If you want to save on airfares, our tip is to consider less direct routes with a layover or stopover. For example, Hawaiian Airlines flies via Honolulu to Long Beach Airport, less than half an hour from Anaheim.
Images: United Airlines, A Karmel Shuttle at Citadel Outlets
3
Family-friendly attractions
While Disneyland’s two Anaheim theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – are a major drawcard, they are just the tip of the iceberg! California’s first theme park, the fun and affordable Knott’s Berry Farm, is right next to Anaheim in Buena Park. It’s also much quicker and easier to get to LEGOLAND California Resort and SeaWorld San Diego, which are both just to the south in San Diego County, from Anaheim than it is from LA.
You can also take in some quintessential American experiences here. The Los Angeles Angels baseball team’s home stadium is actually in Anaheim, and you can catch an enthralling Anaheim Ducks ice hockey game.
Orange County Great Park, which is located on a former air base, offers fun rides in a tethered helium balloon and has a vintage carousel and a rock-inspired playground, while Bowers Museum celebrates art and culture from around the world, with a free family festival held in the courtyard on the first Sunday of every month with activities such as face painting, cultural performances and art.
Images: Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Minnie Mouse in front of Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland Park in California © 2024 Disney, Calico Mine Ride at Knott's Berry Farm, A performer at a Summer Solstice Festival at Bowers Museum © Kenneth Lamb, Emperor rollercoaster at SeaWorld San Diego, The LEGO Movie characters at LEGOLAND California Resort
4
Great value for money
With dozens of hotels competing for your buck, Anaheim is more affordable than many other Southern California destinations. Hotels here often have more family-friendly facilities, such as water parks, and in many cases offer free or discounted parking. You’ll also find plenty of cheap eats here, with fantastic foodie offerings in places like the Anaheim Packing District. Plus there are some excellent outlet shopping centres where you can save 30 to 50 per cent off of the normal retail price of clothing and accessories (way cheaper than Rodeo Drive!). They include Citadel Outlets, the open-air Outlets at Orange and San Clemente. If you have a free day before your flight home, the Shop Until You Drop Off… At LAX day tour of Citadel Outlets includes complimentary luggage storage, all-day access to the centre’s VIP lounge with Wi-Fi, snacks and drinks, a US$20 gift voucher for adults and US$10 for kids aged three to nine, plus a transfer to the airport when you’re done.
Images: Anaheim Packing House, Kids at Citadel Outlets, Howard Johnson hotel
5
Famous beaches
Some of California’s most beautiful and famous beaches, including Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, are located in Orange County – less than 25 kilometres’ drive from Anaheim. The 15-kilometre-long Huntington Beach is popular for surfing, leading to its nickname ‘Surf City USA’, while Newport Beach has a long boardwalk which is great for people watching, and offers activities such as parasailing, whale watching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boat hire. And if you want to check out some of California’s other famous beaches, including Venice Beach and Santa Monica, there are day tours that will take you there without having to pack and change hotels.
Images: Newport Beach at sunset, Children playing in the water at Huntington Beach © Visit Anaheim
6
It's easy to get around
Anaheim has a great public transport network, including affordable electric buses connecting attractions like Disneyland Resort, Anaheim Packing District, Anaheim’s sports venues and the The Outlets at Orange. There’s also FRAN – Free Rides Around the Neighborhood, a fun micro-transport service covering Downtown Anaheim. It’s also easy to get to other parts of California, such as San Diego and Santa Barbara, via the Amtrak train service. You can also hire a car, hail a cab or book an Uber to get around.
Image: Anaheim Resort Transportation
ANAHEIM TRAVEL TIPS
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