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In the heart of Orange County, Anaheim is home to the original Disneyland Park, which attracts millions of tourists to the area each year. Anaheim is also a hub for sports since it’s home to the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball team and the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. Plus, it offers fantastic opportunities for shopping and dining and is just 30 minutes away from some fantastic beaches.
Anaheim is a sprawling city, and if you’re planning to visit for the first time, you might be wondering which area to stay in. Let’s take a look at Anaheim’s main neighborhoods and highlight some of the best hotels and resorts in the city.
Anaheim Resort for Conventions
Highlights: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim GardenWalk
Anaheim Resort encompasses the entire Disneyland Resort and a large area to the south and southeast that covers Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the busiest part of the city, particularly in peak season, as this is where the biggest tourist attractions lie.
What to Expect
Since this area is so popular with tourists, there are plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars here. It’s also home to Anaheim GardenWalk, a bustling shopping mall that has a movie theater, a bowling alley, arcade games, and a flight simulator.
Where to Stay
If you’re heading to Anaheim for a convention, you’ll want to stay in Anaheim Resort for sheer convenience. There are lots of hotels and vacation rentals within walking distance of the convention center, with options to suit a range of budgets and tastes. Hampton Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center provides free WiFi and breakfasts, plus access to a shared sun terrace and lounge area. DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Anaheim Resort-Convention Center offers spacious rooms and access to their rooftop swimming pool and whirlpool.
Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort has modern, pet-friendly rooms, many of which have private balconies with city views. There’s also an on-site pizza restaurant and a poolside bar. The Westin Anaheim Resort is a 4-star hotel with a host of excellent amenities on its grounds, including a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor pool with cabanas, a Peloton-equipped fitness studio, and a 24-hour front desk and room service.
Disneyland Area for Easy Parks Access
Highlights: Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney
If Disneyland is your main reason for visiting Anaheim, it makes sense to stay in the area immediately surrounding the resort. There are lots of hotels within walking distance of the Disney grounds, some of which offer views of the parks from their rooms.
What to Expect
There are two Disney parks in the Anaheim complex. Disneyland Park is the original attraction, and this is where the majority of the world-famous rides are situated. Disney California Adventure Park is a smaller, newer site with a more relaxed atmosphere and bigger rides that offer greater thrills.
There’s also Downtown Disney to explore, which is the Disney Resort’s entertainment district. This area is unticketed, and anyone can visit to enjoy its Disney-themed restaurants, stores, and bars.
Where to Stay
You’re spoiled for choice of accommodation here. The Anaheim Hotel is a popular family-friendly hotel that’s an easy four-minute walk from Disneyland. It has a huge pool and a hot tub, a 24-hour reception for convenient check-in, and an on-site restaurant. Anaheim Maingate Inn provides a homely stay in cozy rooms, some of which have views of the nightly Disneyland fireworks display. The inn also has a free cancellation policy, which is a convenient perk.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground is a perfect resort for families because it has a fun pirate-themed waterpark on its grounds to keep the kids entertained. For a more indulgent option, consider Hotel Indigo Anaheim is a premium property with elegant decor and luxurious amenities.
Historic District for Cultural Sightseeing
Highlights: The Packing District, Anaheim Heritage Center, Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, The Rinks Anaheim ICE
Anaheim Colony Historic District is the oldest part of the city and is where you can learn about the city’s origins. Anaheim Heritage Center is a great place to visit if you’re interested in the area’s history, and the Packing District, which is centered around a former citrus-packing warehouse, is where you can see fantastic heritage architecture.
What to Expect
There’s a friendly, community atmosphere in the historic district. The area is also home to many fantastic bars, restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops. Check out Healthy Junk for tasty vegan food on a budget.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options in the historic district itself are very limited, but look to the areas around it for hotels and guesthouses. Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel is conveniently located between the historic district and the Disneyland Resort, giving you the best of both worlds. This attractive castle-themed hotel is set on 13 acres of pretty gardens with courtyards, rose bushes, a koi pond, and a fountain.
Platinum Triangle for Families
Highlights: Angel Stadium, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim
The Platinum Triangle is the area that surrounds the renowned Angel Stadium and the Honda Center.
What to Expect
It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood that’s significantly more residential than Anaheim Resort and is ideal for families who want to find affordable accommodation while remaining within easy reach of the Disneyland Resort, which is just two miles away. Remember that it gets very busy in the Platinum Triangle on game days.
There are some trendy bars and breweries in the Platinum Triangle, such as Golden Road Brewing and Brewheim. You’re also conveniently located near major highways to help you reach other areas of Orange County when you want to explore.
Where to Stay
The number of hotels in the Platinum Triangle is limited compared to other parts of Anaheim, but you still have a few good-quality establishments to choose from. Suites tend to suit families better than hotel rooms, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Anaheim Orange is a great option. Its relaxing, comfortable rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, and there’s a hot tub, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and a business center onsite.
Anaheim Hills for Access to Nature
Highlights: Yorba Regional Park, Deer Canyon Park, Oak Canyon Nature Center, Anaheim Hills Golf Course
Anaheim Hills is an affluent residential area that lies northeast of the Resort area. It’s a scenic, upscale neighborhood with lots of natural space bordered by Chino Hills State Park in the north and the Santa Ana Mountains in the south.
What to Expect
Highlights in Anaheim Hills include the Yorba Regional Park and Oak Canyon Nature Center, both of which offer fantastic opportunities for hiking and biking. Anaheim Hills is a great place to stay if you want easy access to nature and fabulous views.
Where to Stay
The Resort area is around 16 miles away, so you’ll likely need a car to reach the theme parks easily. Since this is primarily a residential area, accommodation is limited to inns and motels. Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Hills Orange County has cozy, unpretentious rooms equipped with coffeemakers, minifridges, microwaves, desks, and TVs. Guests can also enjoy free parking, WiFi, and a hot breakfast each morning.
West Anaheim for Fun Nightlife
Highlights: Good restaurants, bars, and clubs
West Anaheim is a multicultural area that sits directly west of the Historic neighborhood. Its Little Arabia is a hub for Southern California’s Arab-American community, and there’s a fantastic mix of restaurants here inspired by the various ethnic communities that call this neighborhood home.
What to Expect
Nightlife in West Anaheim is excellent. Although it’s quieter here than in the Disneyland area, the bars and restaurants tend to be filled with locals more than tourists. This makes it easy to mingle with Anaheim residents while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Visit Chain Reaction to catch some live music from up-and-coming artists.
Where to Stay
Accommodation is relatively limited in West Anaheim, but there are a few cheap hotels here. Days Inn by Wyndham offers affordable rooms that are finished in a modern, colorful manner. Each room has a flat-screen TV, and WiFi is available for a fee. Parking and morning coffee are free, and guests can access an outdoor pool.
Southwest Anaheim and Buena Park for Budget Travelers
Highlights: Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City, Adventure City, Buena Park
Southwest Anaheim, and Buena Park offer convenient access to Disneyland and the Convention Center, but the hotels and inns in these areas are significantly more affordable. Southwest is primarily a residential area, but its proximity to the beating heart of Anaheim means that it still has a good range of stores, restaurants, bars, and cafes.
What to Expect
There are some fun attractions to enjoy in Buena Park when you want a break from the hustle and bustle of Disney. Knott’s Berry Farm is a popular theme park with some thrilling rollercoasters, and Knott’s Soak City, its waterpark, is nearby. The nearby Adventure City is a small theme park with fun rides that suit young children.
Where to Stay
Buena Park has a good range of hotels to choose from, including high-end and budget-friendly options. There are fewer hotels in Southwest Anaheim, but you can find some excellent deals here. Hampton Inn and Suites Buena Park is a 3-star hotel with affordable rates compared to similar properties that lie closer to Anaheim Resort and the Disneyland area. It has an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a coffee and cocktail bar.
Orange for Romantic Getaways
Highlights: Irvine Regional Park, Domo One, The Block
Orange is a historic town east of Anaheim and an excellent couples base. There’s lovely 1800s architecture to admire and plenty of quaint cafes, charming boutiques, and relaxed bars.
What to Expect
Irvine Regional Park is nearby, and it has some great hiking trails. You could hire a boat to spend a peaceful afternoon on the lake. When evening rolls around, you can enjoy cocktails or craft beers in Orange’s bars and breweries and finish the night with some dancing at the District Lounge.
Where to Stay
Best Western Plus Meridian Inn & Suites Anaheim-Orange is an affordable, unpretentious option in a quiet area. It provides free breakfasts and WiFi, and some of its suites are equipped with whirlpool tubs.
Fullerton for Local Life
Highlights: Fullerton Museum Center, Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton Market, MyRon’s Mopeds Museum
Fullerton lies north of Anaheim, and it has some interesting history to share, having once been a major railway town. Head to Fullerton Museum Center to learn about the town’s significance in the expansion of America’s west. Another popular attraction is the Fullerton Arboretum, which is populated with plants from all over the world.
What to Expect
If you want a quiet vacation in Anaheim with the option to dip in and out of the busy attractions with ease, Fullerton is a great choice. It has a peaceful atmosphere and some excellent eateries, and is a great way to get a feel for local Southern Californian life.
Where to Stay
Most of Fullerton’s accommodation is on its outskirts. A popular choice is the The Hotel Fullerton Anaheim with two restaurants, outdoor pool, and great proximity to Knotts Berry Farm.
Garden Grove for Alternative Attractions
Highlights: Strawberry Festival, The Christ Cathedral, SteelCraft Food Hall, Great Wolf Lodge, Garden AMP, The GEM Theatre
Garden Grove is best known for its Strawberry Festival, which takes place on Memorial Day each year. The region’s agricultural history is celebrated, and visitors can enjoy delicious strawberry treats, live entertainment, and carnival rides.
What to Expect
There’s plenty to do in Garden Grove. Head to Garden AMP to watch live outdoor entertainment or the GEM Theatre to catch a play. SteelCraft Food Hall boasts some fantastic eateries, and there’s lots of fun to be had at Great Wolf Lodge, which has a waterpark, laser tag, a games arcade, and a mini-golf course.
Where to Stay
Garden Grove lies close to Anaheim Resort, so it’s easy to reach the main attractions while making the most of cheaper accommodations.
Residence Inn by Marriott Anaheim Resort Area/Garden Grove has one and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, sofas, desks, and flat-screen TVs. This extended-stay hotel offers free breakfast, a grocery delivery service, and an outdoor pool, and it hosts regular evening socials and a kids’ theater.
Book Your Anaheim Accommodation
Now you know which area of Anaheim suits you best; you can get started looking for the perfect vacation rental to suit your budget and travel style.
