The Top Things To See And Do In Anaheim California

Theme parks and convention centers make Anaheim a much-loved tourist destination. But this huge city in Orange County, California, has much more to offer. Go wild for the local pro baseball team, take control of a fighter jet, and kick back with world-leading blues. Here’s our pick of the top things to do in Anaheim.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Disneyland

Park

Disneyland and its sibling park, California Adventure, are pretty obvious choices – their princess castles and magical lands filled with fairytale characters are universally known. Not so well known is that discounted tickets are available for southern California residents; so if you live nearby, purchase a season pass to come whenever you want.

Downtown Disney

Resort, Hotel

© Prisma by Dukas Presseagentur GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

If you don’t want to pay to enter the parks or wait in long lines, but still want to experience Mickey’s magic, head to Downtown Disney and eat in one of the themed restaurants. Don’t miss the dazzling Grand Californian Hotel and the restaurant inside, Napa Rose.

The Outlets at Orange

Shopping Mall

Anaheim is a shopper’s paradise, with plenty of malls to explore. But for mega discounts on luxury brands, including Bloomingdale’s, Steve Madden and Nordstrom, head to The Outlets at Orange. And should you need a pick-me-up, there are several casual restaurants serving hearty grub.

Angel Stadium

Stadium

The ‘other’ Los Angeles baseball team, the Angels, play at this 45,000-seater stadium. It’s conveniently located for SoCal residents, and runs behind-the-scenes tours should you want to explore beyond the bleachers. Come game time, simply grab a hot dog and popcorn and cheer on the team.

City National Grove of Anaheim

Stadium

In the shadow of Angels Stadium is this 1,700-seat indoor music venue built in 1998. It’s best-known for hosting quirky acts in its intimate setting, but big-name performers have also graced the stage, including Ray Charles, Stevie Nicks and Prince.

House of Blues Anaheim

Restaurant, American, $

For an all-out musical extravaganza, you can’t go wrong with the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. The main hall is a temple to the genre, with several bars for drinks and snacks. And for a more intimate evening, check out the smaller venue known as The Parish. Pre-show food is a hit too, thanks to the restaurant serving Southern-inspired bites.

Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center

Sports Center

The Flight Simulation Center offers an experience difficult to replicate. Get behind the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet and mimic takeoffs, landings, and in-air maneuvers. If you’re coming with kids, the minimum age to take control of the simulators is 11.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Church, Museum

A short drive from the city center is this landmark Spanish mission, best known for being home to migrating swallows. It was built in 1776 – in what is now the historic district – and is the best-maintained structure from that era. It’s also considered the birthplace of Orange County and welcomes more 300,000 visitors annually.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.