Anaheim Entertainment

There is plenty of entertainment in Anaheim, should you have any energy left after visiting the theme parks. Cuisine is more limited in terms of quality, so don't expect too much.

Eating out

There is no shortage of places to eat in Anaheim and its surrounding suburbs, but if you're looking for top quality restaurants, then you may have to search hard. There are the usual American burger and steakhouse restaurants in the city centre. Most of the familiar fast-food restaurants and international chains can be found everywhere you look, although they generally can't be recommended as they are unmemorable.

Fortunately, you'll also find some excellent, upscale restaurants as well as a good choice of ethnic cuisine. The top hotels usually have some good restaurants, but reservations should be made in advance.

Disneyland has something to suit most tastes, depending on your budget. These days, the choices are much improved following the huge expansion of the park. Most of the resort hotels have good offerings and Downtown Disney is full of themed restaurants. Knott's Berry Farm also has a number of reasonable places to eat at, particularly at the California Market Place, which is situated just outside of the theme park.

Theatre and music

The Honda Center, previously known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, is a huge indoor arena in Anaheim. It is the home to the NHL Anaheim Ducks and regularly hosts high profile pop and rock artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, Coldplay and Madonna. Other events include family shows, musicals and classical concerts.

The Grove of Anaheim has played host to both big and small acts. It's a popular place where you can see some of your favourite musical performers in an intimate setting. It regularly features some of the biggest acts from the 1960s and 70s as well as more current names. Pearson Park Amphitheater is an open-air facility in downtown Anaheim which features family entertainment throughout the summer months.

Shopping

Located adjacent to Disneyland is a 120-acre shopping, restaurant and entertainment complex featuring Disney-themed shops and boutique stores. It is open to the public and there is no admission charge. Anaheim Indoor Marketplace is Orange County's largest indoor swap meet, with more than 200 stores selling name-brand merchandise at 30 to 50 per cent below retail price. South Coast Plaza Village in Costa Mesa offers a huge collection of international stores clustered around the Village Green in an open-air environment.

Fashion Island is a large, upscale lifestyle centre located at Newport Beach. It features more than 200 shops with open-air courtyards and covered patios overlooking the ocean. The popular mall has Spanish-style architecture, creating a warm and luxurious environment. Westfield MainPlace, formerly known as MainPlace Santa Ana is another large upscale centre, with more than 190 specialty shops spread over three floors.