We have one spare day during our stay in Anaheim. We thought we might hire a car for the day and take a drive. Is there anywhere particularly interesting within 2-3 hours drive maybe west of there? (we will be visiting Hollywood area later) We are visiting from Australia so everywhere is interesting really. We would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

Drive out to the Palm Springs area. You can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mt San Jacinto. At the top of Mt. San Jacinto is a large alpine wilderness area with lots of trails.
http://www.pstramway.com/index.asp

Or you could drive through Joshua Tree National Park.
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/

Or just drive around Palm Springs itself....

Keith

palm springs is nice but to me, some of the appeal is laying around the pool and enjoying the desert heat, which of course you couldn't with a day trip. but it is a nice desert area.
if you want to be on the coast, i'd considering going down to laguna beach. nice little town with beautiful homes and funky unusual galleries. some good restaurants and nice beaches.

Laguna or Dana point might have an artists festival happening (not sure when you're going)...San Juan Capistrano would also be a nice stop.
If there are kids along, consider the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido.

ttt for lochiex.

Thanks - you have given us some exciting new ideas. Would still appreciate any more. We will be in Anaheim in late April.

Have realised that I have 2 posts going with the same question. The first one didn't appear to work (a problem I have encounterd before). Sorry.