Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Anaheim

Anaheim is one of the most overall entertaining cities in all of California, a favorite of groups who are craving a Disney adventure! While we highly support a Disney-themed group vacation to Anaheim, we also want to point out all the amazing attractions outside of Disney, the entire Anaheim area a really great location for a group California vacation! 

Culinary delights, incredible lodging options, and some of the most fun activities in the state await you in Anaheim, so what are you waiting for?

Below is our quick guide for Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Anaheim, giving your group a good idea of the best prices and places to play during your next group vacation!


Stay:

Anaheim Marriot: This modern yet upscale Anaheim lodging option is our most budget-friendly choice, offering guests a sleek bar, an outdoor pool, and an overall excellent location in the midst of all the city bustle. Anaheim Marriot is a breath of fresh air away from the Disney-themed everything taking up a good portion of the rest of the city. ($)

Desert Palms Hotel + Suites: Anaheim's Desert Palms Hotel + Suites is another great option for those not looking for a Disney vacation, plus it isn't that far off from the first option price-wise. Here you can enjoy 3-star accommodations including an onsite bar and grill, a relaxed atmosphere, and an extremely close location to Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. ($$)

Disneyland Hotel: If you are here for outstanding Disney experiences you are definitely going to want to consider the iconic Disneyland Hotel, a modern lodging choice with plenty of fun Disney features. Enjoy multiple pools, slides, eateries, and outstanding theme park proximity overall. 4-stars and 10 minutes of walking to Disneyland, this is one of our favorites, and still not too terribly expensive, options for your group vacation! ($$)

Disney's Grand Californian: Okay this resort takes the cake when it comes to the ultimate Disney luxury experience, Disney's Grand Californian a popular 5-star hotel that is both upscale and family-friendly!  Staying here will get your group direct theme park access, opportunities to take part in arts and crafts recreation, and access to the 3 pools and waterslides on-site, a great overall balance of fun for both kids and adults. There is also a gorgeous 6-story lobby inside, offering the utmost elegance and relaxation, plus a few world-class eateries! ($$$)

Play:

Anaheim Garden Walk: This is one of the most popular places in the city to shop, eat, and have some fun, outside of Disney, of course. Trendy shops, excellent eateries, and amazing entertainment options such as the House of Blues, Lucky Strike Bowling, or AMC IMAX shows will greet your group happily here! The best part? You set your own budget here! ($-$$)

Angel Stadium/Honda Center: We think it's always a great option for groups to plan a night at either Angel Stadium, home of the Anaheim Angels MLB team, or the Honda Center, home of the NHL Anaheim Ducks. Both teams are definitely worth cheering on during your visit, and a night enjoying Anaheim athletics will surely please everyone in your group, not just the sports fanatics! ($ -$$)

Disneyland: Of course, what would our list be without Anaheim's shining star, Disneyland? Out of this world attractions, entertainment, and food await your group at this magical mecca of fun, not to mention all the memories to be made all throughout the 85-acre park. Wear comfortable shoes, set aside plenty of time, and get ready to'...sail with pirates, explore exciting jungles, meet fairytale princesses, dive under the ocean, and rocket through the stars - all in the same day’!($$-$$$)

California Disney Adventure: Oftentimes confused as the same park as Disneyland, this theme park experience is completely separate, and completely full of fun, offering your group 7 different themed lands full of Disney attractions, amazing boardwalk eateries, and one of the most exciting fireworks and light shows you'll ever see on California's famous Pleasure Pier. Don't forget to catch the amazing nighttime views on Mickey's Fun Wheel before you go! ($$-$$$)

Eat:

Pizza Press: This is one of our favorite Anaheim eatery options, Pizza Press offering a seriously fresh and delicious take on the average pizza pie. Get the full scoop inside with all the different news-worthy pizzas including The Times, The Tribune, and The Publish Your Own, all within a pleasantly nostalgic 1920's atmosphere. ($-$$)

FiRE + iCE: Unique and surprisingly budget-friendly, FiRE + iCE is an all-you-can-eat space serving American, Latin, Asian, and Italian cuisine, not to mention the

open-grill Mongolian options. This eatery is located within the Anaheim GardenWalk, so you can always shop or watch a show after dinner, too! ($$)

The Ranch Restaurant: This is going to be one of your more pricey, yet elegant, options for eating out in Anaheim, The Ranch Restaurant offering guests a sophisticated, farm-fresh menu heavily featuring seafood and steak dishes. There are over 14,000 bottles of wine here, not to mention nightly live music to set the mood. O la la! ($$$)

Disneyland Eateries: It's hard to just choose one spectacular Disneyland eatery during your visit because honestly, there are over 110 options and they all have their individual shining points. Here are a few of the fan favorites, though. ($-$$$)

  • Galactic Grill - Try the Cheese 3PO Burger! ($)
  • Blue Bayou - Talk about amazing New Orleans cajun cuisine! ($$-$$$)
  • Carnation Cafe - A classic Main Street eatery serving up fried chicken and milkshakes! ($$)


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