Travel to Anaheim

Travel to Anaheim

Located 30 miles south of Los Angeles, Anaheim is known as a theme park city, mainly due to the dominance of Disneyland. Tourism is the number-one industry here, so if you're not interested in the parks, then there is little else here for you to do. The city was transformed after Disneyland opened in 1955, and its influence is felt everywhere you look.

Transportation to Anaheim

The nearest airport to Anaheim is John Wayne Airport Orange County. Most overseas visitors will arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, 35 miles west of Anaheim. Buses and taxis are available for the transfer to the city centre. Amtrak has a station located at the north side of Angel Stadium's parking lot and commuter trains from downtown Los Angeles stop here. Long-distance buses are provided by Greyhound, with routes to many other Californian towns and cities.

What to see

Disneyland is the main reason that people come to Anaheim. It was the world's first family-oriented theme park, and despite the technological advances, it remains true to the vision of its founder, Walt Disney. A new theme park called Disney's California Adventure was opened in 2001 together with a shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney.

Knott's Berry Farm is the other main theme park in the area competing for your business. Thrill-seekers will be impressed with the quality of the rides, although it's considerably smaller than Disneyland. A couple of other attractions worth visiting are the Crystal Cathedral and Anaheim Museum.

Daytrips

If you are based in Anaheim for your holiday, then you might want to consider visiting some of the other sights in the area. Los Angeles is only 30 miles away and has enough attractions to keep you busy for several days. Trains and buses also mean that it is easy to reach the city on a daytrip.

Most holidaymakers visit of the beach towns such as Santa Monica, with its famous pier and boardwalk. There are some world-class resorts, spas and hotels near the beach as well as many restaurants and shopping areas.

Activities and leisure

There are plenty of leisure opportunities available in the area, once you have finished enjoying the theme parks. Shoppers will be kept busy at the 120-acre shopping and entertainment complex adjacent to Disneyland. Inside are many boutique stores and Disney-themed shops, together with a good choice of restaurants.

The Honda Center is a large indoor arena that regularly hosts shows, musicals and classical concerts. If you are looking for something a little more active, then there is some great surfing to be had at any of the countys beaches, and hikers can enjoy miles of marked trails in the nearby mountains.

Safety issues

Anaheim has a lower crime rate than many other American cities, but you still need to take care. As long as you are sensible and plan your trip carefully, then you shouldn't have any problems. Disneyland has good security and most areas of the city are relatively safe.

The most common problem for visitors is bag-snatchers and pickpockets, so don't carry large amounts of cash or your passport with you. We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance for you and your family when visiting Anaheim.