Anaheim sits in northern Orange County, part of the Greater Los Angeles area, and most visitors come for three things: the Disneyland Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center, and the sports venues. The city is wide, stretching from its western neighborhoods across to Anaheim Hills in the east, so where you base yourself has a real effect on how much time you spend getting to the things you came for.
For a visitor, the practical map is simple. The Disneyland Resort and the surrounding Anaheim Resort district, with its many hotels and retail complexes, sit south of downtown. The Convention Center and the cluster of large hotels around it are in the same southern part of the city. Downtown Anaheim, with its historic districts, lies to the north, and the Platinum Triangle surrounds Angel Stadium. Further out are Anaheim Canyon and Anaheim Hills. This guide covers which of these areas to use as a base, and what kind of accommodation you will find in each.
Best areas to stay in Anaheim
1. The Anaheim Resort district (around Disneyland)
This is the southern part of the city around the Disneyland Resort, which includes two theme parks, multiple hotels and its own retail district. Disney is part of the larger Anaheim Resort district, which contains numerous other hotels and retail complexes. If your trip is built around the parks, this is the most convenient base: you are within walking distance or a short shuttle ride of the entrances.
It suits first-time visitors and families above all, and the range of places to stay runs from budget motels to full-service hotels. One practical point from the listings: even properties that back onto Disneyland can be a good ten-minute walk or a short drive from the park entrances, so check the actual walking route rather than assuming proximity.
2. Around the Anaheim Convention Center
The Convention Center area, on and near Katella Avenue and South Harbor Boulevard, is adjacent to the resort district and shares much of its hotel stock. This is where you find large properties aimed at business travellers and convention attendees, alongside budget motels with pools and parking.
It suits anyone attending an event at the Convention Center, and it works well for park visitors too, since the Disneyland entrances are within walking or short driving distance. Expect a mix of price levels rather than a single character.
3. Downtown Anaheim
Downtown has three mixed-use historic districts, the largest of which is the Anaheim Colony. This is the historic core of the city rather than the resort zone, and it gives you a different, more local setting for your stay.
It suits travellers who would rather not be in the middle of the theme-park cluster and who are happy to drive or ride to the resort district and the Convention Center. It is not within walking distance of the parks, so plan on a car or rideshare for the main sights.
4. The Platinum Triangle
The Platinum Triangle is a neo-urban redevelopment district surrounding Angel Stadium, planned with mixed-use streets and high-rises. If your visit centres on a baseball game or you simply prefer a newer, more urban setting, this is the area to consider.
It suits sports fans and travellers who want a base away from the resort crowds. As with downtown, you will rely on a car or rideshare to reach Disneyland and the Convention Center.
5. Anaheim Hills and the eastern districts
The city's eastern third is Anaheim Hills, a community built to a master plan, with open land further east. Anaheim Canyon, an industrial district, sits north of the Riverside Freeway and east of the Orange Freeway.
These areas suit travellers who have business or family reasons to be in the east of the city, or who prefer a quieter, more residential setting. They are the least convenient bases for the resort district and the Convention Center, so treat them as a choice for a specific purpose rather than a general first visit.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: traditional two-story motels with exterior corridors, often with a pool and parking in the centre, free breakfast, wifi and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Some run shuttles to Disneyland.
- Mid-range: larger hotels with restaurants, bars, pools and family room types such as suites with bunk beds, some with free shuttles to the parks. Locations range from South Harbor Boulevard to West Lincoln Avenue.
- Splurge: full-service and premium hotels, including the largest hotel in Orange County, adjacent to the Convention Center and across the street from Disneyland, with suites and resort-style amenities.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the Anaheim Resort district around Disneyland. It puts the theme parks, the retail district and the Convention Center within easy reach, and it has the widest choice of accommodation across every budget. If your trip is built around the parks or a convention, you will spend far less time travelling than you would from downtown or the eastern districts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk to Disneyland from the surrounding hotels?
In some cases, yes, but not always as directly as it looks. Properties that back onto Disneyland can still be a short drive or a good ten-minute walk from the entrances, and the south entrance is closed, so check the walking route before you book.
Which area is best if I am attending the Anaheim Convention Center?
Stay around the Convention Center itself, on and near Katella Avenue and South Harbor Boulevard. Several hotels there are adjacent to the Convention Center and across the street from Disneyland, so you can cover both without moving.
Do hotels in Anaheim run shuttles to the parks?
Some do. Shuttle service appears at both budget and mid-range properties, and at least one larger hotel runs a free shuttle every thirty minutes from park opening to seventy-five minutes after closing. Confirm the schedule with the property you are considering.
Where should I stay if I want to be away from the theme-park crowds?
Look at Downtown Anaheim, with its historic districts, or the Platinum Triangle around Angel Stadium. Both are away from the resort cluster, but you will need a car or rideshare to reach Disneyland and the Convention Center.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page.