Itineraries for Your Trip to Anaheim & Buena Park
3 Days in Anaheim & Buena Park for Families
Living in Los Angeles, it is no surprise that my family has traveled to Anaheim more times than Disney ears have been lost on a family trip. However, it’s not always Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm we are there for. Other fun includes the Discovery Cube, a Medieval Times dinner or Adventure City. As they’ve grown older, we sometimes catch a Duck’s hockey or Angel’s baseball game. One place we visit on any trip is the Anaheim Packing District, a gourmet food hall built at a historic fruit packing site.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Disneyland, the world’s most popular theme park for a reason.
Southern California is generally warm and sunny, but expect cooler mornings and evenings that may require a lightweight jacket.
Disneyland is the big draw in Anaheim and it deserves at least one full day to experience its full magic (or several days if paired up with California Adventure.) Plan out your fun in advance to get the most out of your day, and be sure to stay for the fireworks. Also, if looking for a sit down meal inside the park, consider making a reservation. Kids will love the ambiance (and Monte Cristo sandwich) at Cafe Orleans and the quirky drinks served at the Star Wars themed Oga’s Cantina.
Another early theme park made its fame with fried chicken dinners, boysenberry pies and a Western town. Although in the shadow of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm holds its own by appealing to a wide range of ages and offering some serious thrill rides and roller coaster fun.
If movie magic is more your style, purchase a round trip transportation to Universal Studios in Burbank. This park is highlights Hollywood pop culture such as Harry Potter, Jurassic World and The Simpson, as well as provides a behind the scenes look at how these blockbusters are made.
Anaheim is surrounded by some amazing Orange County beaches, including Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Crystal Cove State Park. Each have their own distinct flavors and brands of fun, including surfing, tide pooling, beach volleyball or simply sunbathing. Depending on the mood, you could choose to fit in a morning whale watching tour or spend time at the Balboa Fun Zone, both memorable SoCal family experiences.
If you’d like to stay local, check out the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. complete with interactive exhibits about Nixon's life, his childhood home and a replica Oval Office that kids love.
