AnaheimTraveller.info

Anaheim City Guide

admin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:37:43 +0000

Founded by fifty German families in 1857 and incorporated on February 10, 1870, Anaheim developed into an industrial center, producing electronics, aircraft parts, and canned fruit.

It is the site of the Disneyland Resort, a world-famous grouping of theme parks and hotels which opened in 1955, Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and Anaheim Convention Center, the largest convention center on the American West Coast and the Anaheim Visitor Center is adjacent to the Convention Center. Its name is a blend of “Ana”, after the nearby Santa Ana River, and “heim”, a common Upper German place name compound originally meaning “home”.

Anaheim’s city limits stretch from Los Alamitos in the West to the San Bernardino County and Riverside County lines in the East, and encompass a diverse collection of neighborhoods and communities.

Anaheim Hills is a master-planned community that resembles South Orange County more than the county’s northern cities. West Anaheim is notable for its more mature neighborhoods dating from the 1950s, which comprise part of the continuous suburban sprawl extending from Los Angeles. The Anaheim Resort, a commercial district, includes Disneyland and the neighboring hotel and retail complexes.

The Platinum Triangle, a neo-urban redevelopment district surrounding Angel Stadium, will soon be populated with mixed-use streets and high-rises. Finally, the Canyon is an industrial district north of the Riverside Freeway and east of the Orange Freeway.

In 2001, the Disneyland Park was further expanded by the addition of Disney’s California Adventure. The latest park is a haven for thrill-seekers offering the nail-biting Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and the super-fast California Screamin’ roller-coaster rides amongst many others. In addition, the Disney Resort also boasts Downtown Disney, which includes the ESPN Zone and House of Blues amongst its attractions.

At the ESPN Zone you can take in the latest sporting activities on the big screen while enjoying traditional American edibles and drinks, while The House of Blues frequently attracts big name acts to its illustrious stage.

Many companies choose to have conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center; the biggest on the West Coast of America. The obvious attraction of having Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure on the doorstep means that while taking care of business at the conference, a delegate’s family can enjoy the many attractions of the park. Indeed, at many hotels in Anaheim, you will find family parties mixing business with pleasure - a fantastic solution for all involved!

Asian Garden Mall

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:54:43 +0000

9039 Bolsa Avenue, Westminster, California (CA), USA
Tel: +1 714 891 2122

If you are looking for jewelry and ethnic niceties, head for Little Saigon and the Asian Garden Mall, featuring over 400 ethnic boutiques, Orange County’s largest jewelry center and many restaurants.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:51:12 +0000

7850 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California (CA), USA
Tel: +1 714 552 1152

Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum in Buena Park contains some weird and wonderful artifacts. Opened in 1990, the museum boasts 10,000 square feet of jungle environment that is loaded with curious oddities.
Anaheim museum open: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Anaheim museum admission: charge, discount for children

Movieland Wax Museum

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:48:29 +0000

7711 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, Anaheim, California (CA), 90620, USA
Tel: +1 714 522 1155
Movie stars from more than three generations inhabit the various rooms and exhibits at Anaheim’s Movieland Wax Museum, with literally hundreds of stars and politicians immortalized in wax. Famous figures displayed include the likes of John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe, as well as more recent stars such as Keanu Reeves and Julia Roberts. George West Bush is also featured along with the Beverly Hillbillies and the crew of Star Trek.
Anaheim museum open: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 19:30, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 20:30
Anaheim museum admission: charge, discount for seniors and children

Anaheim Museum

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:43:05 +0000

Anaheim Museum is housed in a an original Carnegie Library Building which was built in 1908 with a grant from the Carnegie foundation. Los Angeles Architect John C. Austin worked with Anaheim’s frugal Germans and Scots to meet stringent cost specifications tied to this much desired project. Citizens didn’t want to let it pass away so they created a committee and raised necessary funding to renovate the Anaheim Central Library building.

Transformed into a museum which was opened in 1987, the historic building contains two galleries for special exhibits, a Children’s Gallery and Museum Store. Donations are recommended.

Special events for a fee can be arranged in the Children’s Gallery and Carnegie Rooms by calling 714-788-3301

This picture shows a mission bell with the founding dates of the museum and the California missions.

Bells such as this one mark the path Father Junipero Serra took through the state of California beginning in th late 1700’s. In the name of the king of Spain, he oversaw the building of 21 missions, usually a day’s walk from each other mostly along the California coast. The nearest mission to Anaheim is in San Juan Capistrano. Below is an exhibit at the Anaheim Museum.

Muckenthaler Cultural Center

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:33:14 +0000

This is an Italian Renaissance-style home that was built in 1915 and belonged to Walter Muckenthaler. The grandiose design and decor are breathtaking and bring to mind an earlier era. The house was donated to the city of Fullerton in 1965 to be used as a cultural center. There are more than eight acres of beautiful botanical gardens where many kinds of art are displayed. In 1993 an outdoor amphitheatre was built to house theatrical productions.

Childrens Museum

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:31:07 +0000

This truly “hands-on” children’s museum has something for everyone. The pre-school playpark for babies up to five years can climb and crawl with all kinds of sensory fun. The “Kids On Stage” room lets kids dress up, learn about props and all about running the theater. The carousel features animals like fish, pigs, unicorns, dogs and frogs. Not your usual carousel animals, but it is not your usual museum. This is spectacular fun and learning for the wee ones. Admission is $5 per person.

Disney Collectibles Shop

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:21:27 +0000

This is the store for the die-hard Disney fan. First, it was initially built as Walt Disney’s private apartment. Second, it’s a nice store to walk through for casual Disney fans as well because (1) it’s usually not crowded because it is often overlooked, and (2) it’s like a museum of Disneyland history. Directly above the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the Disney Gallery is full of prints and posters of past attractions, conceptual designs used for current and former attractions, and 3D models. And there are images from other Disney theme parks as well. Many prints are beautiful and wonderfully colored and are a great glimpse into what Disneyland was like when they first opened it. All can be purchased and even shipped so you won’t have to slog them around the park with you. A must for the die-hard Disney fan and those who will remember long-gone attractions.

Irvine Spectrum Center

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:16:03 +0000

The Irvine Spectrum is one of the country’s premier shopping and entertainment centers and has quickly become a major destination for residents and visitors alike. This state-of-the-art attraction has received international acclaim for its high quality shopping and entertainment, top-quality restaurants, architecturally pleasing ambience and superior location. Located at the heart of Orange County’s burgeoning high-tech industry, Irvine Spectrum Center has become a hotbed of nightlife and entertainment that lights up the sky every night of the week. During the day, it is a gathering place for adults, a playground for kids and a voyage into a world of fun for everyone. You’ll find that it’s easy to relax and enjoy this venture that offers delightful dining such as The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Dave & Busters and Rock Bottom Brewery. You’ll find distinctive shopping and unique performances presented by the Sidewalk Theatre. The center is anchored by the country’s most visited movie theaters - a 6,400-seat Edwards 21 Cinema complex with a seven story IMAX 3D Theater. For those who like to play, the choices are limitless, including the state-of-the-art virtual reality experiences and the latest games and arcades at hot spots such as Dave & Busters. Whether you’re looking for a novel gift for someone special or something unique for yourself, Irvine Spectrum Center provides fun shopping for everyone. The latest in fashion trends, home furnishings, gifts and fashion can be found in specialty shops and at unique carts and kiosks. Irvine Spectrum Center is located between Los Angeles and San Diego in what is known as Southern California’s tourism corridor. Nearby John Wayne Airport and the Anaheim Resort district make the Irvine Spectrum Center tourist-friendly. Center hours: Mon.-Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Disneyland

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:12:10 +0000

A few blocks from the inflated prices of the park and hotel gift shops is a Target store. I think Target stores are world-wide, but just in case, it is a chain of general merchandise stores with men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, groceries, pharmacy services, housewares, electronics, etc. at good prices, similar to a Wal-Mart or K-mart. The address is: Target 12100 Harbor Blvd Garden Grove, CA 92840 (714) 971-4826 Located near Harbor Blvd and Chapman Avenue and across from the hotel complex that includes the Crowne Plaza.

This is a great place to buy disposable cameras, film, and to have film processed at reasonable prices. You can also buy snacks, sodas and bottled water and sunscreen to keep in your room, or for the trip home. Forget the toothpaste or diapers? They have them too. I think the best thing that you hopefully will not need is the pharmacy, but if you run out, lose or forget a medication, this is one of the places you should check out. This is also a wonderful place to buy Disney toys at low prices!!! Target carries Disney and other character themed clothes and toys like Hello Kitty (depending on the season). Your kids won’t know where you purchased the toys, so save some money.

You’ll definitely spend less money than you will at the parks or hotels for the “little things” that you can’t live without. Target’s weekly sales ad comes in the Sunday Los Angeles Times.