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Anaheim is home to Angel Stadium and the original Disneyland Resort, so there’s no shortage of fun to be had here. For those who like to wander off the beaten path on their travels, there are plenty of lesser-known attractions to see — many of which showcase SoCal’s weird and wonderful side. Here are 20 hidden gems to check out on your next visit to Anaheim.
1. The Petrified Tree
- Address: 52 Frontierland, Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 12 am daily
The prehistoric tree stump in Disneyland’s Frontierland is one of the oldest attractions in Orange County — estimates put it between 55 and 70 million years old! Walt Disney purchased it in Colorado in 1956 from the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (then known as the Pike Petrified Forest). He gave it to his wife, Lillian, as a gag anniversary gift, and Lillian donated it to Disneyland Park a year later. Look out for it near the Golden Horshoe Saloon.
2. Stephen Hillenburg Memorial
Stephen Hillenburg was the creator of the iconic American cartoon Spongebob Squarepants. Hillenburg grew up in Anaheim, and the memorial lies on the grounds of Savanna High School which he attended. It’s a simple yet fitting memorial — a Spongebob-yellow bench adorned with a bronze plaque.
3. The Blind Rabbit
- Website: theblindrabbit.com
- Address: 440 S Anaheim Blvd #104, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm Monday to Friday / 4 pm – 11 pm Saturday & Sunday
There are many speakeasies to be found in California, and Anaheim is home to a fantastic one. The Blind Rabbit is hidden away behind some sake barrels in the Anaheim Packing House and serves delicious seasonal cocktails created by skilled bartenders. It’s wise to make reservations because this place is incredibly popular, but if you’re already headed to the Anaheim Packing District on a quiet afternoon, you might just get lucky and find a free table.
4. Jingles the Horse
- Address: King Arthur Carousel, 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 12 am daily
Jingles is one of the horses on the King Arther Carousel, and she’s actually older than the park itself. She was originally created for a Canadian amusement park in 1922 but she found her way to California when Disneyland opened in 1954.
She received a gold makeover and a transfer to the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride in 2005 to mark the park’s 50th anniversary. Some years later, she was repainted with a Mary Poppins theme, marked with Julie Andrews’ initials, and reinstalled on the carousel’s outer row.
5. Center Street Promenade
Center Street Promenade in Anaheim’s historic downtown is a trendy area lined with excellent shops and restaurants. There are chain stores and independent boutiques here and a range of eateries serving Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mexican food. Visit the Downtown Anaheim Farmer’s Market on Thursdays to pick up fresh local produce and artisanal food, crafts, and clothing.
6. Thousand Steps Beach
- Address: CA-1 & 9th Ave, Laguna Beach, CA
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 9 pm daily
Thousand Steps Beach is the largest in Laguna Beach, but it’s mainly used by locals who are secretive about its location. It has restrooms, volleyball courts, tide pools, and sea caves to enjoy if you’re willing to tackle the steep 218 steps to its golden sands.
7. Walt Disney’s Bench
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Railroad, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 12 am daily
Walt Disney was inspired to create Disneyland after taking his daughters to Griffith Park in Los Angeles. He would sit on a bench eating peanuts while they rode the park’s merry-go-round, and his favored Griffith Park bench now resides in Downtown Disney, Anaheim.
8. Talbert Regional Park
- Address: 1298 Victoria Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
- Hours: 7 am to sunset
Yorba Regional Park and Oak Canyon Nature Center are Anaheim’s best-known parks, but you can avoid the crowds when you visit Talbert Regional Park instead. It encompasses part of the Santa Ana River, and there are a variety of habitats to explore. You’ll find bike and hiking trails throughout the park and a picnic area with restrooms.
9. Dominguez Palm Tree
- Address: 1313 Disneyland Railroad, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 12 am daily
The land on which Disneyland resides was once a vast orange grove, and part of it belonged to the Dominguez family. Walt Disney purchased the land in the 1950s for his theme park, but the sale took place on the condition that a palm tree planted by the Dominguez family in 1896 would remain. It still stands today on the Disney Railroad.
10. The RMS Queen Mary
- Website: queenmary.com
- Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA
- Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours
The RMS Queen Mary was launched in 1934, and it was the fastest, most powerful, and most beautiful cruise ship of the era. Despite its brief stint as a military ship during World War II, it became known as one of the most famous cruise ships of all time, and it regularly hosted high-flying members of showbusiness. In the 1960s, the ship retired to Long Beach Harbour, where it is now a hotel and museum. Look out for ghosts — supernatural activity is reported here regularly by visitors and staff.
11. Rooftop Restaurants and Bars
There are many rooftop bars and eateries to be found in Anaheim and the wider Orange County area. Here are five of the best where you can enjoy good food and drink with fantastic views.
The FIFTH Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
- Website: thefifthoc.com
- Address: 1650 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA
- Hours: 5 pm – 12 pm Friday & Saturday / 5 pm – 10 pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
This small venue offers excellent views of the Disneyland Resort and delicious small bites that are perfect for sharing.
Top of the V at The Viv Hotel
- Website: topoftheviv.com
- Address: 1601 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm Friday & Saturday / 5 pm – 10 pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Inspired by Spanish Basque Country, this restaurant and bar serves local craft beer and Spanish wine with dishes created by a Michelin Star chef.
Parkestry at JW Marriott Anaheim
- Website: parkestryrooftopbar.com
- Address: 1775 S Clementine St Fl 11, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 6 pm – 12 pm Friday & Saturday / 6 pm – 11 pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Parkestry is a luxurious restaurant with a garden party vibe. Think fire pits, comfortable chairs, and flavorful light bites.
Hive & Honey at Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- Website: hhrooftopbar.com
- Address: 7905 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA
- Opening Hours: 4 pm – 10 pm Tuesday to Thursday / 4 pm –12 am Friday / 12 pm – 12 am Saturday
Hive & Honey is known for its incredible craft cocktails and creative small plates, and it has fabulous panoramic views that are unforgettable at sunset.
12. The Muckenthaler House, Art & Cultural Center
- Website: themuck.org
- Address: 1201 W Malvern Ave, Fullerton, CA
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday
The Muckenthaler House in Fullerton is a 100-year-old Spanish Colonial Revival property. Learn about the history of both the house and the region when you wander around its rooms and grounds. You should also look out for art shows, theatrical performances, live music events, and festivals which often take place here.
13. Anaheim Hills Golf Course
- Website: anaheimhillsgc.com
- Address: 6501 Nohl Ranch Rd, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 7 pm daily
There are many excellent golf courses in Orange County, but Anaheim Hills Golf Course is one of the best. It’s a challenging par-71 course with eclectic terrain, and it attracts locals and visitors alike thanks to its handy position in the heart of Orange County.
14. Little Arabia District
Little Arabia is a portion of West Anaheim that has a large population of Arab-Americans. It first emerged in the 1990s when immigrants from Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria settled here. You’ll find some fantastic Arabian delicacies in the restaurants and cafes here and many stores selling Arabian products.
15. SwingIt
- Website: swingittrapeze.net
- Address: 900 N Maple St, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 9.30 am – 6 pm Wednesday / 12 pm – 9 pm Thursday & Friday / 10 am – 9 pm Saturday & Sunday
Many people visit the GardenWalk flight simulator to get a taste of flying when they visit Anaheim, but you can have a wholly different flying experience when you take trapeze lessons at SwingIt. Professional acrobats will train you on the basics of swinging from trapeze bars, and if you pick it up quickly, you’ll be able to learn a few special tricks.
16. Disneyland’s Club 33
- Website: www.disneyworld.co.uk/guest-services/club-33/
- Address: 1313 S. Harbor, Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Club 33 is a mysterious members-only club in which you can expect delicious food and drink and exceptional levels of service. The catch is that only 450 people have managed to become members. You can apply online, but it’s said that only society’s elite make the cut.
17. Brookhurst Community Park
- Address: 2271 West Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Brookhurst Community Park is a unique playground comprised of bridges, arches, craters, and stalagmites. This Gaudi-inspired space is a weird and wonderful place to spend an hour or two, and it appeals to children and adults alike.
18. Discovery Cube Orange County
- Website: discoverycube.org
- Address: 2500 N Main Street, Santa Ana, CA
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Discovery Cube is a science center with over 100 interactive exhibits to support learning and curiosity. There’s everything from a dinosaur scavenger hunt to a virtual rocket launch, and the kids are bound to be enthralled.
19. OC Zoo
- Website: ocparks.com/oczoo
- Address: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 3.30 pm Monday to Friday / 10 am – 4.30 pm Saturday & Sunday
The OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park lets you see a variety of native Californian wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, and bald eagles. Children can even meet some domestic animals, such as sheep and goats.
20. Roadtrip to San Francisco
San Francisco is less of a hidden gem and more of a road trip destination that most don’t consider when they think of exploring California from Anaheim. While San Diego is a popular road trip just two hours from Anaheim, San Francisco is seven hours away. The beautiful drive along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway makes the distance worthwhile. Book a night or two in a hotel to take in San Francisco’s sights and drop into some of these fabulous cities and towns along the way:
Where Will Your Anaheim Visit Take You?
There are plenty of hidden gems to explore in Anaheim, but you might discover even more as you wander around this sunny city. Where will your Southern California adventure take you?
