Anaheim is a city in Orange County, about 42 km (26 miles) south-east of downtown Los Angeles, and for most visitors it means one thing: the Disneyland Resort. Disneyland Park opened here in 1955, the only Disney park designed under Walt Disney’s own supervision. Next to it are Disney California Adventure Park, opened in 2001, and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district. Everything is within walking distance, which makes it far simpler to navigate than the Florida resort.
Beyond Disney, Knott’s Berry Farm is ten minutes away in Buena Park, and the coast — Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Laguna Beach — is half an hour south. Anaheim also works as a base for seeing Los Angeles on a day tour.
Highlights
- Walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle into Fantasyland
- Classic rides that date from the park’s first decades
- Themed lands and night-time shows at Disney California Adventure
- Roller coasters and boysenberry pie at Knott’s Berry Farm
- Surf culture and the pier at Huntington Beach
- Coves and tide pools at Laguna Beach
Plan your time in Anaheim & Disneyland
Allow at least one full day for each Disney park; three days is comfortable with children and lets you take afternoon breaks. Add a day for Knott’s Berry Farm or the beaches. Buy park tickets and make your park reservations before you book flights, because the date you want may be unavailable.
