While Disneyland enthusiasts have likely had Anaheim on their radar for some time, other travelers may not realize that this Orange County destination offers sun-kissed draws beyond amusement park rides.
That said, even if you’re not a Disney diehard, it’s pretty tough to not sense the palpable joy when surrounded by so many excited folks. (You feel the playfulness in the air from the moment an entrance security guide rifles through your backpack, asking with a twinkle in his eye, “That’s not a poison apple, is it?”)
Whether you’re craving tasty local food, hotel-based Zen, sporting outings (go NHL’s Anaheim Ducks!) or active escapes to the nearby coast, we’ve compiled a balanced Anaheim itinerary that can appeal to every member of your party.
Getting there
Those arriving by air may choose LAX for more flight options, or you can decide to avoid L.A. traffic and stick to smaller John Wayne Airport (or SNA), located less than 20 minutes from Anaheim’s main hotel hub.
Disney-area hotels
While hotel options line the long avenues surrounding Disneyland, Marriott Bonvoy offers two family-friendly options that place an emphasis on wellness, too – The Westin Anaheim Resort and Element Anaheim Resort Convention Center. Both are located within walking distance of the park’s entrance (with Element being slightly closer). The best news? If Disney is not your entire focus, the properties offer plenty of other ways to savor the days.
The Westin Anaheim Resort, a AAA Four-Diamond hotel, creates an elevated, uber-comfortable experience by greeting you with the brand’s familiar White Tea scent and pampering you with true-to-their-name Westin Heavenly® Beds. The large outdoor pool and hot tub prove major perks, while the guest-exclusive RISE Rooftop Lounge is an ideal place from which to sip tasty cocktails or equally flavorful mocktails, while taking in Disneyland’s nighttime fireworks spectacle (currently running on an abbreviated schedule).
The hotel places an emphasis on one’s wellness, whether you order a superfood-charged bedtime snack from the “Sleep Well” menu, start the day with a guided walk or run or take advantage of an impressively-equipped 24-hour fitness center. Highlights there? Two Peloton bikes plus a state-of-the-art recovery system that uses Hypervolt percussion devices, ready to massage away any tension or stress.
Nearby, Element Anaheim Resort Convention Center is particularly appealing to those with kids in tow, and guests wanting to take advantage of longer stays. The hotel delights families with its outdoor heated pool and patio with grills, plus suites featuring bunk beds, separate kids TV areas and mini-kitchens in which to prepare meals — and hopefully cut down on travel expenses. Guests can fuel daily with a hearty morning buffet that features healthy options, from egg white scrambles and roasted veggies to whole fruits and a make-your-own parfait yogurt station.
If Disney is not on the agenda, or you choose to break up the days, find movement in the 900-square-foot Motion Fitness Center. Or you can build your own Anaheim cycling adventure with the brand’s complimentary Bikes to Borrow program, which includes digital maps. Alternately, stroll over to Anaheim Gardenwalk, a pedestrian strip along which to eat, drink, shop, peruse the art of 30-plus talents or catch a nighttime concert at House of Blues Anaheim.
(When grabbing rideshares around town, note that Marriott Bonvoy and Uber recently teamed up for a collaboration that allows members to earn points toward free nights when requesting select rides and ordering food delivery via Uber Eats.)
The happiest place on earth
You don’t necessarily have to be a “Disney person” to enjoy the magic of immaculately-manicured Disneyland, a site that opened July 17, 1955, and is the only park that Walt ever set foot in. The people-watching is spectacular and the early-morning anticipation contagious, as Mickey-clad families and friend groups count down in unison, waiting for the front gates to open. (Downloading the app before arriving is highly recommended, to help plan out your day.)
Star Wars fans will want to immediately get in the queue for the magnificent attraction Rise of the Resistance. Other must-see attractions and experiences range from Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Haunted Mansion and Indiana Jones Adventure to Pirates of the Caribbean, Matterhorn and dazzling, indoor rollercoaster Space Mountain.
Mealtime magic
Visitors won’t want to miss the Anaheim Packing District, home to four historic landmarks and the two-acre Farmers Park. The main attraction? The Anaheim Packing House, one of the last remaining citrus packing warehouses in Orange County, which has been historically preserved and transformed into a bustling market hall.
Here, vegans flock to Healthy Junk (for Mediterranean and superfood bowls, an array of pizzas and wings with Buffalo or BBQ seasoning), Mini Monster for boba teas, Mangal for Syrian fare, Rolling Boil for hot pot offerings, White Elephant for modern Thai dishes and Pie Hole for, you guessed it, a tempting spread of savory and sweet pies. A few blocks northwest of the Packing House, find Center Street Anaheim, a promenade lined with more retail and culinary gems.
In the evening, cozy up under the heat lamps and twinkle lights of Poppy & Seed, a delightful space across from the Packing House. In this modern greenhouse setting, where you can peek into the herb garden contributing to your table’s flavorful dishes, cordial servers bring out dishes prepared by the team of Michael Reed – a classically trained, award-winning chef and restaurateur who has spent 16 years cooking for restaurants across New York and Los Angeles. (Incredibly welcoming co-owner Kwini Reed may just pop by your table, too.)
Standout dishes include the grilled shrimp, farmers market carrots, jerk confit duck leg, local black cod and a melange of salads spotlighting the garden’s seasonal bounty. As for libations, we recommend the refreshing Strawberry Fields, made of Drakes Vodka, strawberry, lime, mint and soda, or the Birds of Paradise, another homage to your SoCal surroundings.
Back at the Westin Anaheim Resort, The Tangerine Room is a hip, relaxed space sending out healthful California-inspired fare, from ahi poke to pan-seared New Zealand Ora salmon with pea puree, pee-wee potatoes, blistered kale, cherry tomatoes and charred scallion salsa verde.
Steps away, family-owned and operated restaurant Puesto features delectable tacos and cocktails in an elegant space designed by Basile Studios. At this vibrant eatery, Tacoteur Eric Adler shares the Puesto story that centers around tacos; as first-generation Mexican Americans, the family has been fully immersed in their culture’s cooking since childhood.
These days, the fare is inspired by their travels and incorporates fresh, local ingredients from this region, too. Try the passion fruit and mango shrimp ceviche, the carnitas or chicken al pastor tacos and refreshing cocktails, like the cucumber margarita.
Coastal excursions
Fun awaits on and near the SoCal beaches located half an hour away (or more, depending on traffic). The surf curious may take lessons and get into the waves with Corky Carroll’s Surf School, which has been offering lessons in Huntington Beach since 1996.
Or if cycling is more your thing, head to E-bike outfitter Pedego, with one of its shops set in Corona Del Mar, a stylish seaside neighborhood in Newport Beach. Let a guide lead the way as you zoom through flower-lined streets, past upscale homes and perfectly manicured parks, onto a tiny car ferry and toward a beach path, where lunch and coffee treats await at Dory Deli.
