Fun Things to Do in Anaheim and Why You Might Want to Stay for Good

Imagine booking a trip to Anaheim, California, only to have no plans for how to spend that time. To avoid wasting your vacation, consider a few things to do in Anaheim.

Then, you can make sure to schedule reservations and buy tickets to different attractions. You may even decide you want to move there permanently.

Keep reading for ideas on what to do in and around Anaheim.

Explore the Disneyland Resort Experience

One of the best things to do in Anaheim is to go to Disneyland. If you want most of your trip to involve the park, you can stay at Disneyland Resort so that you don’t have to drive around town each day.

The resort features multiple hotels, so you can choose the best one for you. However, Anaheim and surrounding cities have plenty of hotels that you can stay at if you want to do more than go to Disneyland.

Be sure to consider the differences between Disneyland and Disney World. That way, you’ll know what to expect from the park, so you can plan other fun things to do in Anaheim with kids before or after your trip to the park.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Another excellent attraction to visit in Anaheim is Knott’s Berry Farm. The park offers rides for the whole family, so you can do something thrilling or stick to tamer rides.

You can choose from tons of food options when you get hungry, and you can visit the areas of the part with different themes. If you like theme parks and need a break from Disney, Knott’s Berry Farm is great.

The park hosts festivals and events throughout the spring and summer. There’s also a Halloween event each year, so you can have fun at the park no matter when you visit Anaheim.

Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center

If you or a family member has ever wanted to be a pilot, check out the Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center. You can experience what it feels like to fly a plane.

The center features fighter jets and a Boeing 737, so you can fly what you want. There are classes and in-flight instruction options so that you get to learn what it’s like to fly a real plane.

Be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time so that the center has an open spot for you. Then, you’ll get to experience a thrill of a lifetime, and you may learn you want to become a pilot.

Yorba Regional Park

If you want to get away from the city, you may enjoy Yorba Regional Park. The park is free to visit, and it lets you take a break from the traffic and other stressors of Anaheim.

You can walk or ride a bike on the paved paths to explore the different areas of the park. There are four lakes and various picnic areas in the park, so you can bring food and enjoy a nice meal near the water.

The park is home to plenty of wildlife, including birds, so you and your family can search for critters. Kids can play on playgrounds to get their energy out.

Everyone in the family can play volleyball or try their hand at a game of horseshoe. The park is a great option for kids and adults who want to do something outside that is also relaxing.

Oak Canyon Nature Center

Another one of the best things to do in Anaheim is to visit the Oak Canyon Nature Center. This is another park in the city, and it features a stream, hiking trails, and canyons.

If you want some time away from your kids, you can enroll them in the day camp program. Then, you can explore some of the more adult-friendly things to do in Anaheim, and you can pick up your kids later.

There’s also the Discover Nature Family Program that kids and adults can do together. If you like learning about animals and nature, you will enjoy a visit to the center and park.

Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center

The Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center is another fantastic place to visit during your trip to Anaheim, California. It’s a free museum, and you can learn about history and culture in the area.

This museum hosts art workshops, cultural festivals, and other events with local artists. You can visit the museum as much as you want and partake in the different activities.

Art exhibits rotate frequently, so if you like art, you may want to think about moving to Anaheim. Then, you’ll be able to see future exhibits to learn about different artists and art styles.

If you find your personal budget is a bit small, the museum is perfect. You can fill out your trip without having to spend a ton of money.

Center City

As the name suggests, Center City is in the middle of Anaheim. The area is home to the city’s music and food scenes, and there are tons of shops and studios you can visit.

Throughout the year, the center hosts yard sales, farmer’s markets, and open mic nights. You can download the City Center app to stay up to date with everything happening there.

No matter when you visit, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Even if nothing special is going on, you should check out the restaurants and shops to learn what Anaheim has to offer.

House of Blues

You’ll find House of Blues in the Anaheim GardenWalk, and it’s a popular performance venue. Touring bands can play the venue, and there are also karaoke nights, comedy acts, and other performances throughout the year.

If you want to get some food before a show, try the House of Blues Restaurant and Bar. The food has a southern flare, and you can try the bar’s fair share of wines, cocktails, and beers.

It’s important to reserve your table when booking your trip to Anaheim. Then, you’ll be able to get food from the restaurant and quickly head to a show after dinner.

Angel Stadium

If you like baseball, you may want to see a Los Angeles Angels game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. You don’t have to worry about rain or other severe weather, so any game should be safe to watch.

The stadium features plenty of food options, from hot dogs to pizza. There are even sit-down restaurants inside the stadium if you want something more fancy before a game.

Be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time to get good seats. And give yourself time on game day to park and enter the stadium before the game starts.

From March to September, the stadium is open for tours, so you can see more of the venue. If you want ideas for things to do in Anaheim with kids, the stadium is the perfect place to visit.

Honda Center

The Honda Center is the home stadium of the Anaheim Ducks, a hockey team. You can also go there to watch basketball or wrestling, so it’s a nice destination for sports fans.

However, you’ll also be able to watch comedy shows and visit other festivals. The center even hosts performances that the whole family can enjoy, so it’s a great place to visit with your children.

Whether you go to the Honda Center for a game or some other event, you can enjoy yourself. It’s very close to Interstate 5, so it’s easy to access if you’re staying in Anaheim or a surrounding city.

The Outlets at Orange

Another one of the best things to do in Anaheim is to go shopping. The Outlets at Orange are home to plenty of outlet stores where you can snag a good deal.

If you want to go shopping on vacation but don’t want to spend a lot, outlets are great. You can find tons of different brands on sale, and you may save more than you would if you bought the items after you returned home.

These outlets are a great place to shop by yourself, with a friend, or with your whole family. Plus, the mall is close to the highway and plenty of restaurants, so you can stay full during a long day of shopping.

South Coast Plaza

South Coast Plaza may be more your speed if you want to shop for luxury brands. It’s technically in Costa Mesa, CA, but it’s close to Anaheim and a good option if you want to explore more of the area.

Stores include Balenciaga, Bloomingdale’s, and J. Crew. There are also some other stores that aren’t specifically luxury brands, such as Macy’s, so you can find some more affordable places to shop.

Of course, you’ll need a car to get to the mall since it’s not very close to Anaheim. If you have a car, it’s a great place to go to find cool brands and enjoy your trip.

Huntington Beach

Another thing you can do near Anaheim is to go to the beach, and Huntington Beach is a great city to start with. The city is pretty laid back, so you can still feel like you’re on vacation.

You can visit the huge beach, so you shouldn’t have a tough time finding a space to set down your stuff. Beach gear is available to rent, including boogie boards, so you can enjoy the water.

There are also plenty of restaurants near the beach where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Shops and bars are also nearby if you want to have a full day trip to Huntington Beach.

Of course, you’ll need to get a car or take an Uber to get to the water. However, it can be worth it if you want to enjoy the Pacific Ocean when you’re in California.

Catalina Island

If you’re willing to go a bit farther from Anaheim, consider visiting Catalina Island. The island is off the coast of Huntington Beach, and you can take a ferry or helicopter to get there.

Once you’re on the island, you can enjoy the beach or take a land tour to enjoy the nature. Other options include enjoying entertainment or playing golf.

Catalina Island is a great stop for a day trip, but you can stay overnight to enjoy the island more. Then, you can return to Anaheim for the rest of your vacation.

Why Move to Anaheim

As you learn about things to do in Anaheim, you may realize you don’t have time for everything during your vacation. Once you get there, you might fall in love with the city or the surrounding area.

In that case, consider moving to Anaheim so that you can enjoy it all year long. Then, you won’t have to eliminate activities from your trip itinerary.

If you want to move to Anaheim from another state, consider why you should. That way, you can start preparing now for your move.

Facts and Stats

According to the 2020 US Census, Anaheim is home to about 346,000 people. Houses cost about $575,000 on average, so you may need to rent if you’re short on cash.

Rent in the city averages about $1,600, but you can find roommates to lower your costs. The city is expensive, but it’s doable, and you may be able to make it work, especially when you start working.

Anaheim’s median household income is roughly $71,000, but the per capita income is around $28,000. Keep those things in mind when looking for Anaheim real estate.

The Weather

One of the best reasons to move to Anaheim is because of the weather. Like the rest of southern California, you can enjoy fantastic weather throughout the year.

Winters are pretty mild, and the city doesn’t get much rain. If you want to be able to leave your winter coat in storage, Anaheim may be an excellent place to live.

Now, it can get hot in the summers, but it’s not as bad as some other parts of the United States. If you want easy access to the beach and the ability to wear shorts all year, you may want to live in Anaheim.

Anaheim does have some bad weather days, but they aren’t as frequent as in other cities.

The Nature

Because of the weather, you can do things outdoors in July or January. Whether you want to go to Yorba Regional Park or take a weekend trip to Catalina Island, Anaheim is the perfect place to live.

Even if you don’t like spending time outside, you can enjoy the beautiful view from your home. When you vacation in Anaheim, you can explore the different areas to determine where you may want to buy or rent.

The Anaheim area has plenty of nature-related destinations and activities. You and your family can spend your weekends outside doing things like walking or swimming.

The Activities

If you fall in love with any of the places you visit on vacation, moving to Anaheim may be for you. Then, you’ll be able to go back to Disneyland, the mall, or the City Center all year long.

You may be able to experience some things during a short trip. However, you can miss out on a lot, especially if there aren’t any special events when you’re in town.

Living in the city allows you to access all events no matter what month it is. Whether you like entertainment, food, or something else, Anaheim offers plenty of opportunities for after work or school.

Interstate Access

Interstate 5 runs right through Anaheim, so you can easily access other cities in the LA area. If you want to live in Anaheim, you can find jobs in other cities, from Santa Ana to Los Angeles.

Then, you won’t have to feel stuck in your specific city. It also won’t take you forever to get to an interstate, though driving will still be stressful due to LA traffic.

Anaheim also has easy access to state highways and other major roads. That makes it easy to run your errands and do anything else you need to do outside of work.

Cheaper Than LA

Anaheim is more expensive than a lot of places. However, it’s not as expensive as living in Los Angeles proper, so it’s a nice choice if you want to live in the area on somewhat of a budget.

You can enjoy a lot of the benefits of living in LA without having to spend as much money. Anaheim can be a good starter city, and you can move to LA or another city later on.

Then, you’ll be able to stick to your budget. If you can do that, you may enjoy living in southern California much more, and you can take advantage of the free events in town.

Job Opportunities

Anaheim is close enough to LA that you can commute into the city for a job. It may not be an easy commute, but it’s a good place to live to access jobs in the city.

Whether you want to work in entertainment, tech, or another industry, LA is home to a lot of companies. You can find plenty of jobs if you’re willing to drive into town for work.

Of course, Anaheim also has plenty of jobs in the city. You can work at Disneyland or any of the other attractions in the city, which is great if you want to have a short commute.

If you have or want to start a business, Anaheim is also a great place to live. Orange County is an excellent location for businesses to start or grow thanks to its proximity to Los Angeles.

Easy to Travel

Anaheim is also a great place to live if you like to travel. If you don’t want to deal with connecting flights and having to rush through airports, you can find plenty of direct flights in Los Angeles.

Of course, you can fly out of Los Angeles International Airport, and lots of airlines fly in and out from different destinations. Whether you want to travel domestically or internationally, LAX is great.

Another option is to fly out of John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The airport is a bit closer and less busy, so it can be nice if you want to travel without dealing with huge crowds.

Kind People

Depending on who you meet, you may find people are more or less kind. However, some locals can be very nice and helpful, which makes it easier to settle in after moving to Anaheim.

If you meet kind people, you may even find people who make good roommates. Then, you can make living in the city more affordable as you get started with a career in the city.

Meeting kind people is also beneficial if you want to relocate your business to Anaheim. You may need to hire locals to work for you, and hiring nice people can help you make a good impression with local customers.

Of course, you’ll still need to interview potential candidates to make sure they’d do a good job. But it helps to hire people who are nice, even if they don’t have a ton of experience.

Relaxed Vibe

Big cities can have a certain vibe that makes you feel like you have to work all of the time. You may feel this way if you move to Los Angeles itself, but Anaheim can offer a different vibe.

Since it’s home to Disneyland and other attractions, Anaheim is a great vacation destination. If you live there, you may feel like it’s easier to relax on your days off.

You can go to Disneyland or other venues as much as you want to destress after a long week. Then, you may enjoy living in the city even more than you thought.

If you like being able to relax when you aren’t working, consider that when moving anywhere. That way, you can put yourself in the right environment.

What Things to Do in Anaheim Will You Try?

Before you finalize your vacation plans, you should consider some things to do in Anaheim. You can plan things for the whole family or just yourself, depending on who is traveling.

Think about how long you’ll be in town so that you can prioritize activities. And if you don’t get to do everything, you may want to consider moving to Anaheim.

Are you ready to move to Anaheim? Schedule your move today!