Things to do in Anaheim
Spring and fall bring warm, dry days and thinner theme-park crowds than the summer peak. Summer is hot and busy; winter is mild and pleasant with shorter park hours and holiday decor.
Best months: March, April, May, October
What is worth your time in Anaheim
Old Towne Orange PlazaDo not miss
A picture-perfect 1880s plaza of antique shops, cafes, and a fountain circle that anchors California's largest National Register historic district.
Historic Site · 2.3 hr4.9
Balboa IslandDo not miss
A charming Newport Beach island of waterfront cottages, a boardwalk, the tiny ferry, and the original frozen-banana stands.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.8
Crystal Cove State ParkDo not miss
Three miles of unspoiled coastline with tide pools, bluff trails, and a historic district of vintage beach cottages between Laguna and Newport.
Beach · 3 hr4.8
Bowers MuseumDo not miss
Orange County's premier art museum, renowned for world-class touring exhibitions and a deep collection of cultural and indigenous art.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Disney California Adventure ParkDo not miss
The resort's second gate, themed to California, with Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier, Cars Land's Radiator Springs Racers, and the World of Color show.
Activity · 10 hr4.7
Anaheim Packing DistrictDo not miss
A 1919 citrus-packing house reborn as a buzzing two-story food hall with dozens of local vendors, craft cocktails, and live music.
Food District · 1.5 hr4.6
Disneyland ParkDo not miss
Walt Disney's original 1955 theme park, the heart of the resort, with Sleeping Beauty Castle, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and the rides that defined the genre.
Activity · 10 hr4.6
Downtown Disney DistrictDo not miss
A free-to-enter outdoor promenade of restaurants, live music, and shops between the two parks, perfect for an evening without a ticket.
Food District · 1.8 hr4.6
Knott's Berry FarmDo not miss
America's first theme park, a thrill-and-Old-West classic in nearby Buena Park with world-class coasters and the original boysenberry pie.
Activity · 8 hr4.6
Huntington Beach PierDo not miss
The icon of Surf City USA, a long wooden pier over wide golden sand with year-round surfers and a buzzing Main Street.
Beach · 2.5 hr
Dana Point Harbor
A scenic yacht harbor below dramatic headlands, the launch point for whale-watching and tide pooling at Dana Point.
Scenic Route · 2.3 hr4.8
Irvine Regional Park
Orange County's oldest regional park, a shaded grove of ancient oaks with paddle boats, pony rides, and a small zoo.
Park · 2.3 hr4.8
Mission San Juan Capistrano
The Jewel of the Missions, a 1776 Spanish mission of crumbling stone arches and lush gardens famous for its returning swallows.
Historic Site · 2 hr4.8
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
Nixon's birthplace and final resting place in Yorba Linda, with his restored boyhood home and the Marine One helicopter on the grounds.
Museum · 2.5 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Buy Disneyland and Knott's tickets online in advance and reserve park entry where required; gate prices and walk-up availability are worst on weekends and holidays.
- Arrive at the theme parks at rope drop and tackle headline rides first; midday lines are brutal in summer heat.
- Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes; theme-park days easily clock 20,000+ steps under strong Southern California sun.
- Orange County's beaches and Old Towne Orange are a short drive from the parks and make an easy half-day off the rides.
- A car is the most flexible way to reach OC beaches and day trips, though the Anaheim Resort area is walkable and served by the ART shuttle.