Anaheim, California, is a very popular tourist destination because it is the home of Disneyland. Now, I do recommend visiting Disneyland if you are going to be down there, but also check out the other sites of Anaheim. Here’s a look at what I would personally suggest if you spent three days in Anaheim.
Day 1: Getting there and experiencing the nightlife.
I suggest either staying somewhere on Harbor Boulevard or Katella Avenue, as they are the streets that have the most things to do on them. When I stay in Anaheim, I usually stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton located on Harbor Boulevard. This particular hotel is located 1 mile from Disneyland and offers a free continental breakfast.
Once you are all settled into your hotel, it’s time to go out. I suggest going to the Honda Center the first night. Make sure you check what is going to be there before you head down to Anaheim. I personally like seeing concerts, and the Honda Center is a fantastic place to see one. If you are more of a sports fan the Honda Center is currently the home of the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kiss. You can easily drive here or opt to take a taxi. The taxi shouldn’t cost too much, because it will not be a long drive. Also, getting a taxi is going to be safer if you choose to drink any alcohol.
Day 2: Disneyland
The next day is going to start out well if you stayed at the Homewood Suites. Your morning will start out right with their free continental breakfast. When it’s time to go to Disneyland, just easily take the shuttle so you don’t have to worry about parking. Get a park hopper ticket so you can visit both Disneyland and California Adventure. Usually, Disneyland will open about an hour or two before California Adventure, so I suggest going to Disneyland first for a couple of hours and then going to the California side midday. Finish at the Disneyland side, because at night there is a fireworks display.
Located within the Disneyland Resort is Downtown Disney. This is a great place to shop, eat, and get entertainment. Downtown Disney is free to enter, so you can easily go here at any time during your stay. I personally recommend eating at the Rainforest Cafe. It’s about $15 to $30 a plate, but it is well worth it for the experience. The entire restaurant is decorated in a rainforest theme with animals that really come to life. The animals put on a “show” by moving and making noise, “rain” falls from the ceiling, and thunder is heard periodically throughout the night. I suggest going mid-afternoon right before dinner — call ahead to make reservations.
Day 3: A Quiet Day to Relax
Now that you have had two full busy days, it’s time to relax. I suggest going to the Anaheim GardenWalk, located on Katella Avenue. This is an outdoor shopping mall. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. What’s great about this particular place is that it is rather quiet.
Another place I suggest visiting on this day is the ocean. The beach is about 30 miles from Anaheim and can be very relaxing. My favorite beach to visit in this area is Huntington Beach. It is a perfect place to just sit down and unwind.
