My Beloved and I are travelling via Amtrak to go to Worldcon the last week of August. Actually, we arrive the day before our reservation at the Anaheim Worldmark down the street from the Convention Center, but we’ll find a place to stay Monday night. It looks like we have a couple of extra days that aren’t con-related, so I was wondering what there is to do, see and eat in that area. No theme parks, please!
If you like the ocean, Crystal Cove State Park is beautiful, 5 miles of undeveloped beachfront with interesting tide pools (check the tide - the beach got pretty narrow at high tide, with all the waves a few weeks back).
Huntington Beach pier is a tourist spot but an interesting place to visit.
If you want a great taco - Tacos Los Cholos has its original spot in Anaheim, and in downtown Santa Ana (which is itself fun and vibrant).
In August you may be able to see the Pageant of the Masters down in Laguna Beach, and there is a lot else going on down there, generally - art galleries, etc.
Took train up-no car.
A Southern California Beach belongs on every bucket list. The water is warmer there than on the other side of LA.
That’s nice…but I am near the Anaheim Convention Center, walking and traveling by bus, and not touring the southern Californian coastline by car.
There is the Packing District/
Also of course Downtown Disney lots of food, decent shopping, even a small bowling alley with tasty grub. Wander into the Grand Californian, the gift shop is great and so are all three restaurants. Or just sit in the Lobby, maybe get an adult beverage. Sometimes when friends wanted to go to the park, I’d ask to just go along to eat in Downtown Disney, then sit in the Lobby and read a book.
Anaheim Garden walk is close.
Is there a fee to get in?
To Downtown Disney? Nope. Many locals go there to have dinner. There is also often live music. In other words, you get a taste of Disney without braving the actual theme park.
You already gave us out first must-see. I just looked up The Packing District, and she said “Damn right!”.
Good. We used to go to Disneyland several times a year, and I attended a couple of Conventions there also.
By the way, if anyone is in the area at that time, maybe we can meet up?
Mass transit is better now than it used to be. They have a trains system now. Not sure how practical it would be these days.
The Fullerton Train Museum is free and is a couple of miles to the north.
➜ https://fullertontrainmuseum.org ■
I haven’t been, but have it marked on my personal map as something to check out when I’m in the area. If you go please let me know how you liked it.
Disneyland is close by. There might be some related locales worth checking out that don’t require you paying to enter the park.
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is nearby.
2110 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim
If you want to try some chicken and waffles. It’s a thing.
Hilbert California Art Museum
➜ https://hilbertmuseum.org ■
Like Fullerton Train, I haven’t been to this.
Have you tried Atlas Obscura?
➜ https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/anaheim-california ■
Thanks! I’ve marked this on my personal map.