You step off the shuttle on West Katella Avenue and the Matterhorn appears at the end of the block, above a line of motels and palm trees. That is the moment Anaheim announces itself: a city whose modern shape was drawn around a theme park that opened on July 17, 1955.
Anaheim suits families building a trip around Disneyland Resort, sports fans who want a ballgame and a hockey game within sight of each other, and convention-goers with an afternoon to spare. It also suits travellers curious about the older city, the one founded by fifty German families in 1857 and known for a quarter-century as California's largest wine producer.
This guide covers the places worth your time, from the two theme parks to the stadium district, and closes with a plan for a single day.
Top things to do in Anaheim
1. Disneyland
Anaheim's main claim to fame since opening in 1955, and the reason most visitors come. It is the original park, with the castle, the lands and the rides that later parks were built to imitate.
Give it a full day rather than an afternoon. Disney California Adventure sits beside it and charges separate admission, so decide before you buy which park, or both, you are doing.
2. Disney California Adventure
A newer addition to the resort, opened in 2001, with its own rides and its own separate admission fee. It is the second park of the Disneyland Resort and pairs naturally with Disneyland if you have two days.
Because admission is sold separately, it works well as a standalone day for repeat visitors who have already covered Disneyland.
3. Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Home of the Los Angeles Angels, the Los Angeles area's American League baseball team, at 2000 Gene Autry Way. A ballgame here is one of the easiest ways to spend an Anaheim evening.
The stadium sits in the Platinum Triangle, the redevelopment district around it, and is directly across from the Honda Center, so a game can be combined with the arena district in one trip.
4. Honda Center
Home of the Anaheim Ducks, the NHL team, at 2695 East Katella Ave, across from Angel Stadium. Besides hockey, Disney On Ice shows are staged here.
The arena is also open for public skating, which makes it a useful option on a non-game day. Check what is on before you go, since the schedule changes constantly.
5. Anaheim Convention Center
At 800 West Katella Ave, just south of Disneyland. It is worth checking the events calendar, because conventions, expos and shows run here throughout the year and can shape what is happening in the surrounding blocks.
Its position just south of the parks makes it easy to fold into a Disneyland day if something on the schedule interests you.
6. Flightdeck Air Combat Center
At 1601 S. Sunkist St. Unit A, this is an authentic military flight simulation center that opened in 2005, giving civilians the chance to pilot a fighter jet simulator. All sims are full-scale replicas of F-16 cockpits, and flight gear, training and in-flight instruction are provided.
It opens at noon and closes at 6PM, so plan it as an afternoon activity rather than an evening one. Prices run from $49 to $79 depending on what you choose.
7. Camelot Golfland
A miniature golf course in the city, and a low-key option for an evening away from the parks or for a rest day between them.
It pairs well with the Katella Avenue cluster of attractions if you are staying near the resort district.
8. Sky Zone Anaheim
An indoor trampoline park, useful when you want something active that does not depend on the weather or on a park ticket.
It is a good fit for families with children who need a break from queues, or for a half-day when you are pacing yourselves between bigger attractions.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Disneyland when it opens. The park has been Anaheim's anchor since 1955, and an early start is the most reliable way to cover the classic rides before the middle of the day.
Afternoon: Stay in the resort area and move to Disney California Adventure, which sits alongside Disneyland and has its own separate admission. If you would rather not buy a second park ticket, use the afternoon for the Anaheim Convention Center at 800 West Katella Ave, just south of Disneyland, and see what is on.
Evening: Head to the stadium district. Take in a Los Angeles Angels game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on 2000 Gene Autry Way, or see the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center at 2695 East Katella Ave directly across from it. If neither team is playing, the Honda Center also hosts Disney On Ice and opens for public skating.
Frequently asked questions
When did Disneyland open in Anaheim?
Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. It is described as Anaheim's main claim to fame since that date, and its arrival led to the hotels, motels and residential districts that grew around the resort area.
Do Disneyland and Disney California Adventure require separate tickets?
Yes. Disney California Adventure opened in 2001 as a newer addition to Disneyland and has separate admission fees, so a visit to both means buying admission to each.
Where do Anaheim's professional sports teams play?
The Los Angeles Angels play at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on 2000 Gene Autry Way, and the Anaheim Ducks play at the Honda Center at 2695 East Katella Ave, directly across from Angel Stadium.
What can you do in Anaheim away from the theme parks?
Options include a baseball or hockey game, public skating or a show at the Honda Center, events at the Anaheim Convention Center, flight simulation at the Flightdeck Air Combat Center, Camelot Golfland, and Sky Zone Anaheim.
Decide which park day and which game night you want, check the convention calendar, and start building your Anaheim itinerary around them.