ANAHEIM
Area: California
Country: United States of America


Location:
In the very SW of the United States, in S California's Orange County. 28 mls SE of downtown Los Angeles. 31 mls SE of Los Angeles International Airport; 16 mls N of John Wayne/Orange County airport.

Telephone code from UK:
1 714

Website:
http://www.anaheimoc.org

Position:
In midst of sprawling megalopolis that fills the largely flat Los Angeles basin. Surrounded by other suburban-style cities.

Description:
Anaheim, which measures more than 30 mls by 4» at its widest, is an attractive, bustling suburb of Los Angeles, but with a character all its own. Home of Disneyland (open 7 days a week all year round), nearly all tourist life in Anaheim revolves around this park and the attractions offered in the neighbouring city of Buena Park, 6 mls W: Knott's Berry Farm, a western-themed amusement park; Movieland Wax Museum; Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum; and 2 dinner/theatre extravaganzas. The area had previously been farmland, producing citrus crops, strawberries and even wine grapes before Walt Disney opened Disneyland in the mid-1950s. It now consists mainly of housing tracts and corner "mini-malls". However, it is just 15_20 mls from some of Orange County's best beaches _ namely Huntington and Newport, which are popular with surfers, swimmers and sunbathers alike.

Suitability:
Families, young singles and couples. Business people/special-interest groups attending Anaheim's large convention centre.

Accommodation:
Several elegant upmarket hotels but most _ while modern _ are more modest. Mainly located in a square around Disneyland, the closest being opposite the main gate. Most major hotels impose car-parking charges of up to $20 a day, even for guests.

Shopping:
Besides the gift shops at the amusement parks and T-shirt and souvenir emporiums near the hotels, there are shopping centres in Anaheim, Buena Park and other surrounding cities. Downtown Disney is a massive shopping area just outside the theme park.

Entertainments:
Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm and other park attractions. Edison International Field, a 45,050-seat sports stadium (home to Anaheim Angels baseball team). Ice hockey arena. Several museums. Theatres.

Eating:
Wide variety from 5-star restaurants to pavement cafes, family-style eateries, small bistros and a vast number of fast-food outlets. Over 60 restaurants and cocktail lounges in the immediate Disneyland area alone, serving a feast of international, Continental, American and Californian cuisines.

Public-transport:
Buses to downtown Los Angeles and other major areas are readily available. Amtrak trains run to San Diego and Los Angeles. Tourist attractions in Anaheim and Buena Park are served by the "Funbus", which picks up at hotels; cabs and Orange County public buses ply the area as well. Several companies and hotels operate airport shuttle services. Various bus and tram companies offer sightseeing tours.

Local-excursions:
Half day: San Juan Capistrano, a Spanish mission founded in the late 1700s; Laguna Beach, noted for its galleries and summer art festivals; LA & Hollywood by Night guided tour. Full day: tours of film studios; Sea World; San Diego Zoo. 2 days: Las Vegas; Tijuana, Mexico.