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.
Anaheim in California is familiar to most Australians, even those who are yet to tick a Disneyland Resort holiday off their bucket list. It’s no wonder that Out & About with Kids readers rate Anaheim as the best place in the USA to visit with kids: it’s exciting, accessible and perfectly positioned to explore everything SoCal has to offer.
With world-famous theme parks, outlet shopping malls and all-American experiences at your doorstep – like seeing the Anaheim Ducks ice-hockey team and the Angels baseball team in action – there’s no better place to stay in the Golden State.
Read on to learn why Anaheim is America’s number one family holiday destination!
Where is Anaheim compared 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.
Tip: It's easy to get to Anaheim - even from Australia!
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.
Why is Anaheim the best place to stay in California with kids?
As the home of Disneyland Resort in California, Anaheim is the ideal base for families wanting a bucket list experience. Orange County is generally viewed as being more family-friendly than LA, with fresher air, less crime and a more laid-back community feel.
Here are four more reasons families should base their holiday in Anaheim:
1. Anaheim is excellent 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 percent off of the normal retail price of clothing and accessories (way cheaper than Rodeo Drive!).
2. Easy day trips to LA and San Diego
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 stay in Anaheim. It’s easy to take a day trip to LA to visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios and avoid the need to change hotels.
It’s also much quicker and easier to get to LEGOLAND California Resort and SeaWorld San Diego from Anaheim than it is from LA. Both are located just to the south in San Diego County.
The Amtrak train service makes it simple to get to other parts of California from Anaheim, including Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara.
3. Endless fun activities for families
With two out-of-this-world Disneyland Resort Parks to explore, you might imagine that’s your Anaheim adventure sewn up. There’s more to Orange County, though: expect an endless array of family attractions and activities, paired with a temperate climate, beautiful beaches, casual outdoor lifestyle, fresh local produce, world-class sporting events and super-friendly residents.
4. It's easy and affordable 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 Outlets at Orange. There’s also FRAN – Free Rides Around the Neighborhood, a fun micro-transport service covering Downtown Anaheim.
Top things to do in Anaheim and Orange County
While Disneyland Resort’s two Anaheim theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – are a must-do, they are just the tip of the iceberg! Beyond the Disney drawcard, Anaheim and Orange County serve up a diverse and bountiful feast of family fun.
Ride the coasters at Knott's Berry Farm
California’s first theme park, the fun and affordable Knott’s Berry Farm, is right next to Anaheim in Buena Park. The HangTime roller coaster is an experience adrenaline seekers shouldn’t miss. It reaches a speed of over 90 km per hour and has the steepest descent in California at 96 degrees.
Catch an all-American sporting match
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.
Visit the amazing Orange County Great Park
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.
Join in the Bowers Museum's free family festival
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.
Tuck into a pirate-themed dinner show
The interactive Pirates Dinner Adventure offers a winning combination of food, fantasy and fun. Kids will be astonished by the swashbuckling swordplay, special effects and dynamic duels – and there are even chances for guests to get involved, from hoisting the ship’s sails to joining the pirates on deck.
Snag a bargain at Anaheim's outlet malls
Top places to shop in Anaheim include 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.
What are the best beaches near Anaheim and Disneyland Resort?
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.
Where to stay in Anaheim with kids
Anaheim has no shortage of places to stay: the city has more than 150 hotels, with more on the way.
The Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area has 352 family-friendly rooms and suites, as well as a large swimming pool, an open-air theatre, a game room, and a putting green.
Another excellent option is the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort which has 466 rooms and is located near the open-air Anaheim GardenWalk shopping centre.
The Westin Anaheim Resort has 613 rooms, three restaurants, and two bars, including a rooftop lounge with views of Disneyland Park’s nighttime attractions, a resort-style pool, and a market.
In partnership with Visit Anaheim
Opening image: The HangTime rollercoaster at Knott’s Berry Farm © Knott’s Berry Farm
