Anaheim Travel Comments, User comments about Anaheim Theme Parks

Shelly L., Corona, Calif. - If you stay inside Disneyland Resort, you can go to Downtown Disney if you want a taste of the nightlife. Tons of restaurants and shops, House of Blues Anaheim, 12 AMC Theaters, and I believe there is even a comedy club. San Diego is only 45 minutes to an hour's drive south of Anaheim so check it out for a couple of days or so. There's the world-famous Hotel del Coronado, once touted as the finest hotel in the world. It's on Coronado Island, which is nice to check out for the day -- tons of shops and restaurants. I once stayed at a B&B called Cardiff Lodge at Cardiff-by-the-Sea. It's got themed rooms but it's not hokey. Cardiff is about 20 minutes north of San Diego. That weekend, my husband and I had dinner at the Sky Room in La Jolla, and it was one of the best dining experiences of my life. The meal wasn't cheap ($220 for both of us) but it was so worth the money. I highly recommend that place if you're looking for a romantic place to eat. There are only about a dozen tables in the place so the servers were very attentive, and every table has an ocean view. If you stay in San Diego proper, the "trendy" part of town with the nightclubs and bars and restaurants is the Gaslight district. There are plenty of hotels there; I've stayed at the Westin and it was okay. Not super fancy, but it's clean with plenty of amenities. If you're feeling adventurous, drive down to Tijuana, Mexico, but make sure you get the $25/day car insurance they sell just before you cross the border. If you want to see the desert, Palm Springs is only 90 miles east of Anaheim, which is about an hour and a half to two hours drive. Again, if the mother-in-law is footing the bill, book a room at the Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, hands-down the nicest place to stay at in the area. Even if you decide not to stay there, check out the hotel -- it's gorgeous and you can even take a complimentary boat ride across the gigantic man-made lake. Also, there's the weekly street fair in Palm Springs where local merchants sell their wares. I believe that happens every Thursday.

Rick R., Semi Valley, Calif. - Orange County doesn't have much "culture." Actually, there isn't much culture anywhere in southern California. That said, go to Disneyland for a day (or two) then rent a car and go to LA. You can visit Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly hills, etc. if you want art then go to the Getty Museum. ThereÔs one in LA off the 405 Freeway (close to UCLA) and another one in Malibu, that isn't as crowded. Southern California has many different styles: Latin (Ranchera, Salsa, Reggae), Hip Hop, 70Ôs disco, all kinds of rock. The cities nearest Anaheim would be Fullerton and Stanton and Orange.

Stacy B., Anaheim, Calif. - The kids will love Disney. It gets very cool at night, especially in Fall and Winter, so take light jackets. Check to see if you can take food into the park. Last time I was there, you could not. Plan to spend A LOT of money to eat in the park. Outside the park, go somewhere other than Anaheim to eat. It's too pricey and not many great options. Try one of the beach communities nearby like Seal Beach, Belmont Shore or Huntington Beach. You'll get great restaurants, better prices and a true So Cal experience. Also, very family friendly.