Anaheim, CA

Best time to visit Anaheim

• Summer (June to September): Anaheim’s warm, dry summers are popular for theme park visits, but expect crowds and high temperatures.
• Fall (October to November): With cooler temperatures and lighter crowds, especially in early November, this is an excellent time to visit.
• Winter (December to February): Winter brings cooler, mild days and some rain. Post-holiday weekdays in January and February offer lighter crowds and lower prices.
• Spring (March to May): Spring in Anaheim features mild weather and crowds, especially during school breaks.

How many days to spend in Anaheim

If you’re planning to visit Disneyland®, a two to three-day trip is recommended. Plan an extra day to catch a game at the historic Angels Stadium or see the Anaheim Ducks or a big-name concert at Honda Center. For longer stays of five to seven days, don’t miss out on a day at one of the nearby beaches.

The vibe of Anaheim

With balmy weather year-round and people from all over the world in town to experience the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Anaheim has a naturally sunny personality. Locals are welcoming to the constant stream of tourists, many of whom dress the part with Disney-themed outfits and accessories. Like all of Southern California, Anaheim is driven by car culture: everyone owns one and uses it to get around. But unlike much of Southern California, its sidewalks are full of happy visitors carrying conversations in dozens of languages. When milling around a city in which so many people are on vacation at once, it’s easy to smile and relax.

What is Anaheim famous for?

It goes without saying that Anaheim is most famous for Disneyland® and the greater Disneyland Resort®, which includes the Disney California Adventure theme park, three hotels, and Downtown Disney®: a shopping, dining and entertainment district. Native Californians know Anaheim as the first city established in Orange County, with a rich history of orange groves as far as the eye could see. It’s home to the fourth-oldest active baseball stadium in the country (Go Angels!) and the largest convention center on the West Coast, clocking in at a massive 1.8 million square feet.

Events in Anaheim

Anaheim hosts a month of free “Concerts in the Canyon” during the summertime and an annual Nutcracker Holiday Village and Tree Lighting through the winter months. Fall is jam-packed full of events: October begins with the Firkenstein craft beer festival on the first Saturday and ends with the city’s century-old Fall Festival and Halloween Parade on the last Saturday. Seasonality drives events at Disneyland Resort®, with special decorations, parades and attractions planned year-round. Disney fanatics live for the daily “rope drop,” when the park’s earliest visitors arrive bright and early to witness guards literally dropping the ropes for entry.

Food in Anaheim

Anaheim’s food scene goes way beyond churros and hot dogs. The Anaheim Packing District, a collection of historic buildings, features a vast food hall with local bites and specialty foods ranging from Cajun and soul food favorites to Japanese dessert crepes and French petit fours. Just south of the city limits, don’t miss Little Saigon, a collection of neighborhoods that many Vietnamese people, shops, businesses and restaurants call home. It’s the top spot in town for pho, with many restaurants specializing in rich broth and tender noodles that transport you straight to Vietnam.

Nightlife in Anaheim

Like most things in Anaheim, Disneyland® plays a big part in the city’s nightlife. Many visitors wait to enter the park until dusk, when young families depart, making room for couples and young adults. After the nightly fireworks at 9:30 p.m., take advantage of the balmy evening weather and stroll the Anaheim GardenWalk for a beer and a late-night movie. Or venture south of the convention center to root for the local teams at a sports bar or enjoy a craft cocktail in a quiet lounge.

Shopping in Anaheim

Serious shoppers should plan to venture beyond the city limits to get their fix. For luxury retail, both Fashion Island in Newport Beach and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa are must-visits for their variety of fashion, beauty and luxury goods. Bargain hunters should visit The Outlets at Orange, which is lined with dozens of retail outlets. In town, Anaheim Marketplace has a swapmeet vibe that’s popular with vintage and antique lovers. And at Disneyland Resort®, Downtown Disney® features Disney-themed shopportunities and is accessible without a ticket to the parks.