Is there anything to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland?
Sep 14th, 2015, 07:37 AM
#1
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Is there anything to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland?
My husband will be attending the NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center in January. I was thinking of joining him and spending a couple of days exploring the area until we head down to Palm Springs when he's finished with work. I was wondering if there were things to do and see to keep me busy during the day while he's working. The only thing that comes up in the guidebooks and websites are Disney related.
I'm in my 50's and I enjoy museums, shopping, dining and spas. I love the Laguna Beach area--is that an easy drive from Anaheim?
Thanks for any input!
I'm in my 50's and I enjoy museums, shopping, dining and spas. I love the Laguna Beach area--is that an easy drive from Anaheim?
Thanks for any input!
Sep 14th, 2015, 08:28 AM
#5
Shopping - Besides South Coast Plaza, there is a Neiman Marcus Last Call at the Outlets at Orange.
The Nixon Library in Yorba Linda (which is fascinating and pretty even handed re aspects of his life/presidency/scandal) and includes the birthplace/home. About a 20 minute drive from Anaheim.
I do enjoy Knott's Berry Farm - but if you aren't into theme parks/rides probably not what you are looking for.
The Nixon Library in Yorba Linda (which is fascinating and pretty even handed re aspects of his life/presidency/scandal) and includes the birthplace/home. About a 20 minute drive from Anaheim.
I do enjoy Knott's Berry Farm - but if you aren't into theme parks/rides probably not what you are looking for.
Sep 14th, 2015, 09:47 AM
#6
Plenty of beach an easy drive away,(Newport Beach, Laguna Beach) just go after maybe 10am and return by maybe 3:30pm.
You can also take Metrolink or Amtrak down to San Juan Capistrano or San Clemente, both have nice little touristy neighborhoods right outside of the train depots. If you don't want to deal with traffic, train is also an easy way to get to downtown Los Angeles , then hop on the subway up to Hollywood or to Universal Studios Tour, or down to the Natural History Museum & The Science Center.
You can also take Metrolink or Amtrak down to San Juan Capistrano or San Clemente, both have nice little touristy neighborhoods right outside of the train depots. If you don't want to deal with traffic, train is also an easy way to get to downtown Los Angeles , then hop on the subway up to Hollywood or to Universal Studios Tour, or down to the Natural History Museum & The Science Center.
Sep 14th, 2015, 09:53 AM
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The drive from Anaheim to Laguna Beach is not too bad: I-5 south to CA-133 (Laguna Canyon Road) takes you right into downtown Laguna. Once you're there, you can check out galleries, shops, etc. and also enjoy the gorgeous ocean views. It is VERY important to check out road conditions; if we get the strong El Niño storms the NOAA has been predicting, you may find mudslides or flooding on the main routes in January.
I know nothing of the spa scene, but I imagine that one can find quite a few in Laguna, Dana Point and (to the north a bit) Newport Beach.
An upscale shopping venue that no one has mentioned yet is Fashion Island, in Newport Beach. It contains Orange County's outpost of the ACTUAL Needless Markup-- er, Nieman Marcus. Plus Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom-- and a bunch of other high-end stores. If you get tired of the mall scene, and the weather is cooperative, you might stroll around Balboa Island-- or just park and shop in Corona del Mar, which is a nice neighborhood of NB.
The Old Towne section of Orange calls itself the "Antique Capital of Southern California". One can quibble about that label, but it is a fun, charming historical district full of old houses, antique stores, and specialty shopping like Muff's Hardware (just about every type of vintage fitting, knob, widget and/or trim piece you can think of, and about a million others you can't; I personally recommend a spin through Muff's), Watson Drug (plus soda fountain), and the like. That's not too far from Anaheim.
Just a few ideas.
I know nothing of the spa scene, but I imagine that one can find quite a few in Laguna, Dana Point and (to the north a bit) Newport Beach.
An upscale shopping venue that no one has mentioned yet is Fashion Island, in Newport Beach. It contains Orange County's outpost of the ACTUAL Needless Markup-- er, Nieman Marcus. Plus Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom-- and a bunch of other high-end stores. If you get tired of the mall scene, and the weather is cooperative, you might stroll around Balboa Island-- or just park and shop in Corona del Mar, which is a nice neighborhood of NB.
The Old Towne section of Orange calls itself the "Antique Capital of Southern California". One can quibble about that label, but it is a fun, charming historical district full of old houses, antique stores, and specialty shopping like Muff's Hardware (just about every type of vintage fitting, knob, widget and/or trim piece you can think of, and about a million others you can't; I personally recommend a spin through Muff's), Watson Drug (plus soda fountain), and the like. That's not too far from Anaheim.
Just a few ideas.
Sep 14th, 2015, 11:31 AM
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Bowers Museum in I believe Santa Ana.
Knott's Berry Farm is fun, and yes have the chicken dinner, this is in Buena Park.
Several upscale hotels near Laguna Beach like Montage and Ritz Carlton, bound to have spas.
Knott's Berry Farm is fun, and yes have the chicken dinner, this is in Buena Park.
Several upscale hotels near Laguna Beach like Montage and Ritz Carlton, bound to have spas.
Nov 9th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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This is a very specialized interest but if you are into research (family history, political history, etc), the western region of the National Archives is in Laguna Niguel, about 20 miles south of Anaheim.
Their collections vary from the mundane (U.S Census records) to the esoteric (the U.S. Marshal's of the Tucson District reports of what has become known as the Gunfight at the OK Corral).
Their collections vary from the mundane (U.S Census records) to the esoteric (the U.S. Marshal's of the Tucson District reports of what has become known as the Gunfight at the OK Corral).
Nov 14th, 2015, 07:55 PM
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California Grand does have a great spa - I also like Burke Williams and there is one in Orange.
http://www.burkewilliamsspa.com/loca...ge/photo-tour/
You can easily get to Laguna Beach from Anaheim... I live in the Newport Beach area - that is a very easy drive from Anaheim - perhaps go to Fashion Island - walk around (one of the prettiest outdoor malls...) head to Pelican Hills and have lunch outside and a spa treatment there. Stunning! https://www.pelicanhill.com/spa/
http://www.burkewilliamsspa.com/loca...ge/photo-tour/
You can easily get to Laguna Beach from Anaheim... I live in the Newport Beach area - that is a very easy drive from Anaheim - perhaps go to Fashion Island - walk around (one of the prettiest outdoor malls...) head to Pelican Hills and have lunch outside and a spa treatment there. Stunning! https://www.pelicanhill.com/spa/
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