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Anaheim, California

City Guide

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Features of this Destination

Anaheim, California is probably most famous as the home of Disneyland, the first Disney theme park, known around the world as "The Happiest Place on Earth”, but there is much more family fun to be found in and around this city in Orange County, California.

In addition to Disneyland with its many “lands,” rides, and attractions which grow in popularity year by year, there is Disney's California Adventure. This spectacular addition occupies about 55 acres of the original 100 acre Disneyland parking lot. Located immediately to the south of the Magic Kingdom, this entirely separate gated features all the best of California in condensed form.

The themed areas within California Adventure include an authentic replica of a California seaside resort, complete with a Boardwalk and "ocean front” amusement park. There is a roller coaster, aptly named California Screamin', and other rides. There is "Cannery Row" area representing the Monterey area, a hint of Tinsel town in the Hollywood Studios backlot, a high desert aviation area named Condor Flats, an agricultural section called Bountiful Valley, and daily wine tasting with the Mondavi family from Napa Valley. Finally, there is a wilderness area called Redwood Creek which features the symbol for the entire park, Grizzly Peak. This outcropping in the shape of a bear’s head has a white-water rafting adventure. Also included within the park itself is the Grand Californian Hotel, themed as a wilderness lodge in the architectural style of the historically significant National Parks lodges.

Enjoy sizzling steaks, seafood, exotic entrees, desserts, and a wide range of beverages, including wine and beer at the cafes and restaurants in the Disney parks. From All-American offerings to the authentic flavors of Asia, Mexico and Italy, finding a great meal is easy!

In addition to the Disneyland theme parks, there is Knott's Berry Farm, which began in the 1930s as a roadside stand offering Mrs. Knott’s homemade pies and delicious chicken dinners. Today, it is a theme park with over 165 shows, attractions, and high tech rides for thrill seekers of all ages.

For film lovers, Universal Studios Hollywood (about 35 miles from Anaheim) features rides based on many of its most famous films, such as Back to the Future, Shrek, Jurrasic Park, and Spiderman. Knott’s Soak City USA provides hours of family entertainment with over 20 water rides. Medieval Times places dinner guests in the role of medieval royalty. Jousting tournaments occur nightly as guests dine in the midst of the pageantry and action.

After touring the theme parks, there are museums and cultural attractions to enjoy. The local art museums offer original and rare works of art. The Crystal Cathedral, the largest glass building in the world is located two miles from Disneyland. Two memorable pageants, complete with live animals, are presented there each year. SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, Catalina Island, Legoland, and the Long Beach Aquarium are area attractions well worth visiting. For thrill rides, visit 6 Flags California near Los Angeles.

Anaheim is located approximately 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. Its central location makes it an excellent place to select as a base for a Southern California vacation. Well-organized tours are available from Anaheim to top attractions in every direction. A vacation in Anaheim will fulfill the children’s dreams, and build a library of pleasant memories for the family that will last a lifetime.
Area Attractions

Anaheim Resort Area

Disneyland

1313 S. Harbor Blvd

Anaheim, CA

The Happiest Place on Earth" is an enchanted kingdom of fantasy and imagination filled with family-friendly attractions and entertainment, dining and shopping.

Disneyland is divided into eight theme "lands”, each of which has a number of rides and attractions that are somehow related to the theme of that geographic designation.

Main Street U.S.A.

At the park's entrance, Main Street U.S.A. is a picture perfect version of small town America. The streets are lined with gift shops, candy stores, a soda fountain, and a silent theater that runs early Mickey Mouse films. There is an information booth to the left of the main entrance which has a schedule of the day's events.

Adventureland

Adventureland is home to several popular rides with the theme of the most exotic regions of Asia, Africa, India, and the South Pacific Among these are:

Tarzan's Treehouse

Jungle Cruise, (aboard a Mississippi River-style paddleboat)

Enchanted Tiki Room 20-minute musical show

Indiana Jones Adventure, Riders follow Indiana Jones in all-terrain vehicles and experience the bubbling lava pits, whizzing arrows, fire-breathing serpents, collapsing bridges, and a tumbling boulder.

New Orleans Square: A large grass filled park illuminated by gas lamps, New Orleans Square is home to the

Haunted Mansion. The

Pirates of the Caribbean, one of Disneyland's most popular rides, has visitors float on boats through underground caves, entering an enchanting world of pirates and buried treasure. At the Blue Bayou Restaurant, located in the depths of the ride, you can eat surrounded by cool moonlight and listen to the sound of crickets.

Critter Country is a version of Frontierland. Older children and grown-ups love

Splash Mountain, one of the largest water flume rides in the world. Loosely based on the Disney movie Song of the South, the ride is lined with about 100 characters that serenade with "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." Riders paddle around in log boats and often get sprayed or dunked.

Frontierland -- Inspired by 19th-century America, Frontierland features a raft to

Tom Sawyer's Island and a play area with balancing rocks, caves, and a rope bridge. There is also a petting zoo and a log cabin for the family to explore.

In season, Frontierland presents

Rivers of America This fascinating spectacle mixes magic, music, live performers, and sensational special effects. Mickey Mouse uses his magical powers to create giant water fountains, enormous flowers, and fantasy creatures. A 45-foot-tall dragon breathes fire and lights up the water of the Rivers of America.

Mickey's Toontown: This is a colorful world of cartoon characters inspired by the "Roger Rabbit" films; a land populated by 'toons. There are several rides, including Roger Rabbit's CarToonSpin, but Toontown itself is the main attraction.

Fantasyland : A land with a storybook theme. Most of the rides are designed for children under age 6, You'll also find Alice in Wonderland, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and more.

It's a Small World is

a slower moving indoor river ride through a confection-filled panorama as the world's children sing It’s a Small World.

Matterhorn Bobsleds gives a roller coaster ride through chilled caverns and drifting fog banks. It is one of the park's most popular rides.

Tomorrowland Conceived as an optimistic look at the future, Tomorrowland is designed in the stark, metallic look popularized by futurists such as Jules Verne. Long-time Tomorrowland favorites include Space Mountain and Star Tours, the original Disney-George Lucas joint venture. It's a 40-passenger StarSpeeder that encounters a a series of challenges on the way to the Moon of Endor, achieved with wired seats and video effects

Disney's California Adventure

Opened on February 8, 2001, Disney's California Adventure occupies about 55 acres of the original 100 acre Disneyland parking lot. Located immediately to the south of the Magic Kingdom, this entirely separate gated attraction features all the best of California in condensed form.

The entrance to California Adventure is under a jaunty rendition of the Golden Gate Bridge flanked by two tiled murals representing California's riches. Disney designers traveled throughout the state while drafting California Adventure. The result is a celebration of the brightest and best that California offers (past and present)

The themed areas within include an area representing a seaside resort, complete with a Boardwalk and "ocean front” amusement park, with a roller coaster, California Screamin', and other rides, a "Cannery Row" area representing the Monterey area, something of Tinsel town with the Hollywood Studios backlot, a high desert aviation area named Condor Flats, an area for agriculture called Bountiful Valley and wine tasting with the Mondavi family from Napa Valley. Finally, a wilderness area, Redwood Creek, featuring the symbol for the entire park, Grizzly Peak (it's a rocky outcropping in the shape of a bear head) which has a white-water rafting adventure. Also included within the park itself is the Grand Californian Hotel, themed as a wilderness lodge in the architectural style of the National Parks lodges.

Soarin' Over California in Condor Flats is a favorite. This is a theatre attraction that lifts each guest 20 degrees up and down. Participants soar, as though on a hang glider, over the most scenic and exciting places in California, including Yosemite, the Golden Gate, the Central Valley, the coast, San Diego, Los Angeles and Disneyland, along with other locales. You can feel the wind in your face, and each guest "glider" moves and tilts in full compliance with the scenes above, below, and to each side.

Paradise Pier

Paradise Pier is the amusement park section of Disney's California Adventure. On the surface, it looks like a seaside recreation park from years gone by, but beneath the veneer are state-of-the-art thrill rides and amusements and midway games along the boardwalk at the edge of the lagoon. Paradise Pier lights up at night with thousands of lights and visual effects.

Knott’s Soak City USA

8039 Beach Blvd.

Buena Park

The park is a 10-minute ride north on I-5 from Disneyland. From I-5 or Calif. 91, exit south onto Beach Boulevard. The park is about half a mile south of Calif. 91.

Open May through September

Orange County’s wildest water adventure park! Thirteen water-logged acres packed with 21 of the most intense water rides, all themed to the surf woodies and longboards of the 1950s Southern California coast.

Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park

8039 Beach Blvd.

714/220-5200

Buena Park. The park is a 10-minute ride north on I-5 from Disneyland. From I-5 or Calif. 91, exit south onto Beach Boulevard. About 1/2 mile south of Calif. 91.

Knott's Berry Farm's hours vary both during the week and week to week, so call ahead. The park is usually open during the summer daily from 9am to midnight.. Special hours and prices are in effect during Knott's Scary Farm in late October (a hugely popular event). Stage shows and special activities are scheduled throughout the day. Pick up a schedule at the ticket booth.

This park focuses on newer and faster thrill rides that target Southern California youths and families instead. With 165 fast-paced amusement rides, shows and attractions. Enjoy Wild West stunt shows, thrilling roller coaster rides, and the children’s favorite: Camp Snoopy.

Ripley's "Belive it or Not!" Museum

7850 Beach Blvd, Buena Park At Ripley's, visitors are challenged by the unique and the bizarre. The museum has assembled a collection of real-life phenomena and scores of curiosities that are very strange and also mystifyingly true. Some of the items are even quite beautiful!

The Motts Miniatures Museum & Dollhouse Shop

7900 La Palma Ave.

Buena Park

Just up the street from Knott’s Berry Farm The museum showcases the History of America in miniature from the Pilgrims to modern times. Some exhibits are so small that they must be viewed under magnifying glasses. There are dressed fleas, rice carvings, 350 hand-carved ivory elephants in a bean shell, portraits of U.S. Presidents on the heads of pins, the world's smallest folding pocket knife, and more.

Richard Nixon Library

18001 Yorba Linda Blvd

714/993-5075

Fax: 714/993-3393

Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm

This presidential library, located in Nixon’s boyhood town, celebrates the roots, life, and legacy of America’s 37th President. The 9-acre site contains the modest farmhouse where Nixon was born, manicured flower gardens, a modern museum housing presidential archives, and the final resting place of Mr. Nixon and his wife, Pat.

Anaheim Indoor Market

1440 S. Anaheim Blvd. The marketplace, Orange County’s largest indoor swap meet, has more than 200 stores selling merchandise at 50 percent to 70 percent below retail price. It is open six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed on Tuesdays.

The marketplace has a food court, and shoppers can enjoy mariachi music, 3-5 p.m. Saturdays, and live concerts, 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

Believe it or not, you can also watch professional wrestling in the marketplace’s back lot arena, 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Call: (714) 999-0888.

Anaheim Museum

241 S. Anaheim Blvd.

714-778-3301

10 a.m.-4 Wednesday-Friday; noon-4 Saturday, and by appointment Sunday-Tuesday.

The Anaheim Museum houses a combination of history, culture, and art in its 1908 building. Children can visit the Communications Room for interactive activities. The Anaheim Room has displays of pictures and tools essential to Anaheim’s settlers.

The Farmers Market and Crafts Fair, at Center Street Promenade and

Lemon Street. Every Thursday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Farmers Market features more than 60 vendors selling fruit, vegetables, baked goods, flowers and craftwork.

Call: (714) 956-3586.

Hobby City,

1238 S. Beach Blvd.

Families can enjoy 10 acres of hobby, craft and collector shops. A half-scale replica of the White House offers rare dolls and toys. Hobby City also has a theme park called Adventure City, where children can enjoy rides, face painting and puppet shows.

Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

(Los Angeles County)

(562) 590-3100. This internationally renowned aquarium creatively examines the treasures of the Pacific Ocean, the planet's largest, most diverse body of water. The Aquarium of the Pacific explores three regions of the Pacific Ocean: the Southern California/Baja Pacific, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific. The aquarium features futuristic design and technology.

Discovery Science Center This 59,000-square-foot facility is filled with fun, hands-on exhibits for children and adults. Visitors can experience an earthquake in the "Shake Shack," lie on a bed of 3,500 nails, walk through a tornado, engage in live science demonstrations, watch a 3-D laser show and more.

Crystal Cathedral

The Crystal Cathedral is situated in Garden Grove less than two miles from Disneyland. Located at the southwest corner of Chapman Avenue and Lewis Street between Harbor Boulevard and The City Drive.

Guided tours every half-hour, Monday through Saturday, from 9 -3:30. Sunday church services are at: 9:30 AM and 11 AM, plus an Hispanic (Spanish-speaking) service at 12:45 PM, and an evening (English-speaking) service at 6:30 PM.

Each year, the Crystal Cathedral presents two major pageants: The Glory of Christmas. (in December), and The Glory of Easter (in March). These feature a cast of 200 in Biblical period costumes, a choir, angels, live animals, and joyous music from a 70-piece orchestra.

The largest glass building in the world, the Cathedral was built by the Rev. Robert Schuller. Schuller started out in 1955, as pastor of California's first "drive-in" church, in Garden Grove. It was originally located in a drive-in movie theatre, and Rev. Schuller preached from the roof of the concession stand. After his radio broadcasting success, Rev. Schuller opened the Crystal Cathedral in 1980.

Universal Studios

Located in Universal City, Hollywood, about a 40 minute drive northwest of Anaheim

100 Universal City Plaza

Universal City

Hours fluctuate seasonally. Open everyday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Universal Studios Hollywood, the world's largest movie studio and theme park, allows guests an exhilarating opportunity to experience a genuine working movie studio through their thrill rides, one-of-a-kind attractions and live shows based on movies actually filmed at its fully functioning movie studio.

Themed rides and shows propel the visitor into the exciting worlds of their favorite movies. Among these are the new rock n’ roll Spider-Man Rocks, the popular Mummy Returns: Chamber of Doom or the monster plunge of Jurassic Park: The Ride, plus more attractions and shows.