By Robert Vaux
Once a sleepy little corner of Southern California,
Anaheim has expanded over the past five decades to become a premiere tourist destination. Not only does it offer a number of world-class attractions within a few minutes' drive, but its proximity to
Los Angeles opens up a staggering array of additional vacation options.
Disneyland
By far the area's biggest attraction--possibly the biggest in all of Southern California--the Happiest Place on Earth first opened in 1955 and has since seen hundreds of millions of people pass through its gates. Attractions include classic rides like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean (which recently added Jack Sparrow and friends to its ensemble) as well as newer amusements like Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure. The park also offers daily parades featuring Disney characters, and fireworks displays on weekends and summer nights.
Disneyland
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
Telephone: (714) 781-4565
Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure
The Disney corporation has added a second park alongside its better known destination--featuring rides with a Golden State theme--as wells as a shopping district between the two parks containing restaurants, theme stores and similar attractions. Though not included in the ticket price for Disneyland proper, they make a good visit for vacationers. Admission to Downtown Disney is free and the company often offers "park hopper" tickets allowing those with Disneyland tickets to visit California Adventure at no charge.
Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
Telephone: (714) 781-4565
Knott's Berry Farm
Though definitely a runner-up in the theme park competition, Knott's Berry Farm in nearby Buena Park offers plenty of enjoyable attractions of its own. The most noted is Camp Snoopy, featuring children's rides and famous Peanuts characters, but it also offers a number of roller coasters and flume rides for older visitors. Its Halloween attraction, Knott's Scary Farm, has become a Southern California institution, and it even sells jams and preserves the way it used to do when it first opened in 1928.
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 beach Boulevard
Buena Park, CA USA 90620
Telephone: (714) 220-5200
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium--or "the Big A" as locals affectionately refer to it--houses major league baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The stadium underwent extensive refurbishments a few years ago, and now boasts some of the most modern and attractive features in all of baseball. The Angels themselves are perennial playoff contenders and won the World Series Championship in 2002 behind their all-star manager, Mike Scioscia. Fireworks displays take place every Friday during home games, and the stadium plays host to a number of events and concerts during the off season.
Angel Stadium
2000 E Gene Autry Way
Anaheim, CA 92806
Telephone: (714) 940-2000
The Honda Center
The Honda Center--formerly known as "The Pond"--sits just across the freeway from Angel Stadium, and serves as home for the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL. Though a comparatively new team, the Ducks have quickly built an extremely loyal fan base, whom they rewarded with a Stanley Cup Championship in 2007. In addition to hockey, the Honda Center hosts a number of entertainment events--particularly rock concerts featuring the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Britney Spears.
The Honda Center
2695 E Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
Telephone: (714) 740-2000
About the Author:
Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University.
