Anaheim and Disneyland

[arieldca]

Hello,

I am planning to visit Disneyland Resort in August, and I'd like to visit a bit around Anaheim.
I'd like to know what else is there to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland, what are the dangerous places in Anaheim, what is interesting in Anaheim.
I'd like to know too what is the best family friendly and secured at night or during the day beach in Orange county, laguna beach, Newport beach or Huntington Beach, which I've heard is the safest city in California.
Do you know a nice mall where I could go have a girls day shopping spree with my mother around the disneyland resort?
Sorry for that long message but after two stays in Disneyland, I'd really like to know what is around it.
Thank you.

Arieldca

[techskip]

Within walking distance... not much except DD... within driving... pretty much anything you want to do. Disneyland is right off the 5 and real close to the major intersections so you can pretty much be anywhere within an hour or less. The Block is fun, not a lot of shopping, would actually recommend Westminister Mall if you want a "huge" shopping center.

[arieldca]

Thank you.
I'd like to know what there is to see in the city of Anaheim, maybe the main street or anything?

[Hakuna Makarla]

Originally Posted by arieldca

Thank you.
I'd like to know what there is to see in the city of Anaheim, maybe the main street or anything?

How about anther park? do you have a car? only about 12 miles out is knotts!! ( I love that place) also there is knotts soak city ( water park,
we always go to this place..

http://www.anaheimindoormarketplace.com/

its an indoor shooping flea market. ( all new stuff go look at the web page, only 6 blocks away )

we love it!!!! and come away with some awsome deals. they have a free shuttle to take you to and from the market place, and here you can barter some. do not let them charge you a lot, its a flea market. so dicker with them!! we have come home with major clothing and fun toys

[PennyRescuer]

I don't think Anaheim really has a Main Street type shopping area, though I have heard the downtown/main street area in Orange has a lot of little shops and things to look around in, if you're looking for a main street experience. Someone else could probably give you better information on that, as I've never done more than drive by.

Again, a suggestion that's not in Anaheim, but if you like to window shop (or have a big budget) there is always South Coast Plaza down off the 405. They have lots of stores along the lines of Tiffany's, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Giorgio Armani that could be fun for a girls' day out.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a great trip!

[duckiedianne]

There's not much to do in the Anaheim area and it's not the greatest city...it's nickname is "Anacrime" after all. For family friendly places I would suggest heading over to Knott's Berry Farm for some more rides. If you are interested in big roller coasters, 6 Flags Magic Mtn is great but it's a good hour and a half drive from Anaheim. Other random fun could be a mud park. I went to the one in Irvine and it is hilarious. here is the link http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/depts/cs/...playground.asp
I hear that there is one in Huntington Beach as well but I don't know where specifically. You might want to try the Irvine Spectrum which is a 30 min drive from Anaheim. It's an outdoor shopping mall with some great stores plus there is a ferris wheel and ice-skating rink. There are great restaurants and some other fun food places like the Funnel Factory which specializes in funnel cake or the Crepe Maker which sells amazing crepes!
http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/

Pennyrescuer mentioned Old Town Orange and it is interesting to wander but there isn't really much to see unless you are really into antiquing. They are a lot of bars there but I prefer to go bar hopping in Downtown Fullerton.

[Monkey joe]

Lookout for traffic in the O.C. lol. That was a nightmare for me in May. If Bob ever picks a new host, go to "The Price As Right" but we get there early. People camp out for that show. Oh and if you see the CBS Page Chuck, tell him hi. lol. Beside the show, I did alot of things beside the Disneyland Resort. Speaking of which I need to finish my trip report but I might need to make another one for my cruise coming up this week. lol.

[pixie chick]

* Huntington Beach is fun. I grew up there, so that's where I always went. Laguna, Seal, & Newport are also great beaches.

* I'd also recommend South Coast Plaza (huge, mostly indoors) or the Irvine Spectrum (not as big, mostly outdoors) if you want to go to a mall.

*I'll second Knott's if you don't want to drive too far.

*There is also Wild Rivers in Irvine that is a good family water park.

*The Long Beach Aquarium is a nice little day trip and they've improved the area immediately surrounding it as well.

That's off the top of my head for now. Have fun!

[TiaDalmaFan]

Have you been to the City of Anaheim Visitor & Convention Bureau's website yet? They have lots of suggestions of things to see and do.

[Captain Rex]

Originally Posted by pixie chick

* Huntington Beach is fun. I grew up there, so that's where I always went. Laguna, Seal, & Newport are also great beaches.

* I'd also recommend South Coast Plaza (huge, mostly indoors) or the Irvine Spectrum (not as big, mostly outdoors) if you want to go to a mall.

I would add the Block at Orange, and Fashion Island to that list.

As far as beaches go... I prefer San Diego, but my fave OC beaches are Laguna or Corona Del Mar/The Wedge.

[SpokkerJones]

Anaheim is not a dangerous city. Don't come here expecting Newport Beach, but also don't come expecting East L.A. It certainly rhymes, but it does not deserve the moniker "Anacrime".

Originally Posted by Monkey joe

Lookout for traffic in the O.C. lol

You may be confusing LA traffic with Orange County traffic. Rush hour is considerably shorter in Orange County and not as bad.

[DisneyIPresume]

Originally Posted by arieldca

Hello,

I am planning to visit Disneyland Resort in August, and I'd like to visit a bit around Anaheim.
I'd like to know what else is there to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland, what are the dangerous places in Anaheim, what is interesting in Anaheim.
I'd like to know too what is the best family friendly and secured at night or during the day beach in Orange county, laguna beach, Newport beach or Huntington Beach, which I've heard is the safest city in California.
Do you know a nice mall where I could go have a girls day shopping spree with my mother around the disneyland resort?
Sorry for that long message but after two stays in Disneyland, I'd really like to know what is around it.
Thank you.

Arieldca

So nice to see someone wanting to do something outside of the DLR. And a very good idea. Being that Disneyland is a locals amusement park one way to really appreciate it is to understand its context compared to the surroundings it is in.

There really isn't much to do in Anaheim other than Disneyland. You can catch an Angel game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim or the Ducks at the Honda Center (formerly known as The Pond). As far as crime in Anaheim is concerned, believe it or not the DLR is just about the worst area for that. There may be a couple places off of Lincoln that aren't so nice but there really is no need for you to go there anyway. The one place in Orange County to avoid as far as crime is concerned is Santa Ana, especially the downtown area around 1st through 5th Streets in general. Once again you won't likely be going there anyway so no worries.

If you are concerned about beaches that are safe, my pick would be Corona del Mar, which is near the southern end of Newport Beach. Huntington is ok too. Distance wise, even though Newport is a bit further south than Huntington, they are still both roughly the same distance time-wise from the DLR.

As far as shopping is concerned Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza by far are the best places to go for what you are looking for.

My advice seriously is to select a beach hotel in Huntington or Newport and then go to the DLR from that area rather than the other way around. The beach temps are usually 15 or even 20 degrees cooler at the coast in August and you are herded around like cattle like you would be at a DLR hotel. Just some advice. No matter what you do I am sure you will have fun!

[pixie chick]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

My advice seriously is to select a beach hotel in Huntington or Newport and then go to the DLR from that area rather than the other way around. The beach temps are usually 15 or even 20 degrees cooler at the coast in August and you are herded around like cattle like you would be at a DLR hotel. Just some advice. No matter what you do I am sure you will have fun!

This is a great idea, especially if you are only going to DL for a day or two!

[knittingknerd]

The 2nd oldest co-op preschool is less than 3 miles away! Sight... oh wait. Kinda' biased there.

-Laguna Beach is sooo fun. Love it. Go to Hennessy's. It's an Irish pub/resturaunt in an old Mexican resturaunt. Cool vibe. Also there's a great knitting shop...
-Mexicasa is my favorite mexican food stop. It's between Euclid and Brookhurst on Lincoln. It's old, it's very... dated (?), but the prices can't be beat. Have cash.
-I love dive bars. I don't know why but I do. If you like those, Good Old Boys on Katella and Nutwood/Euclid is awesome. Pool, dancing, and it's like shuffle board but not. They may water down their drinks though... Still love it. And one thing that always scares me about dive bars are the bathrooms. This bar has nice potties.
-Depending on when you go in August at there's a drive in theater at the Orange County fairground. Or go to Newport Dunes. Friday and Saturday night they have a giant inflatable screen and play movies (last night was High School Musical!). At the drive in I saw Oceans 13. The prices at both aren't bad. $10 at the Dunes per car. Think it's like $7-$8.50 per person at the drive in.
-If you're a movie nerd like me, Old Town Orange, go to the drug store (I forget the name!). They filmed "That Thing You do" in the drug store and all along there. In Buena Park they filmed "Clerks 2" next to the Days Inn. The building they filmed it in is no longer there, but I am a nerd and go "that's the lot they filmed Clerks 2! Randal!!!"


Trying to think what else...

[mistyisjafo]

You'll have to have a car to get around in the OC. No real way to get around it since there isn't much to do in Anaheim except Disney. Knotts, Old Town Orange, The Block of Orange, and Downtown Fullerton (lots of restaurants/bars) are relatively close.

There is traffic here all the time. Depends on the time of day you drive. For example if you drive to Newport Beach or Huntington, if you leave before 3pm you should miss the worst of the traffice but other wise you'll get trapped in what we call "SOUTH COUNTY".

The OC is HUGE. We don't have "main" streets except for the one that runs down the center of Disneyland.

O, and the OC fair is going on this month. Good time to go but busy and usually hot. Be prepared to spend a lot.