Anaheim & Buena Park Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Anaheim & Buena Park, California — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Anaheim & Buena Park

• Disneyland Resort. The original Disney theme park — opened in 1955 — anchors the resort alongside Disney California Adventure, with over 60 rides and attractions spanning Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Pixar Pier, Cars Land, and the Haunted Mansion. No other single destination in Southern California draws more wonder per square foot.
• Knott's Berry Farm. America's first theme park — born from a roadside berry stand and fried-chicken dinner in 1934 — now sprawls across 57 acres in Buena Park with four themed lands, GhostRider (the West Coast's longest wooden coaster), and the adjacent Soak City water park open each summer.
• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. A fully immersive 14-acre land inside Disneyland Park where guests pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run, duel through Rise of the Resistance, and sip blue milk at Oga's Cantina on the planet Batuu. Every detail — from the Aurebesh signage to the cast member dialogue — is built to blur the line between film…
• Anaheim Packing District. A walkable culinary quarter anchored by the 1919 Sunkist citrus-packing house, now reborn as a multi-story food hall with over 30 artisan vendors, plus the Packard Building, Farmers Park, and Villains Brewing Company surrounding a communal outdoor plaza.
• Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Inside a 70,000-square-foot castle on seven Buena Park acres, knights on horseback joust, sword-fight, and perform falconry while guests feast on a four-course medieval banquet — eaten with their hands in true pre-silverware fashion.
• Downtown Disney District. A free-admission, open-air promenade at the resort's edge featuring world-class dining — including Din Tai Fung's first free-standing U.S. building, Carlos Gaytán's trio of Mexican restaurants, and the new Parkside Market food hall — alongside Disney-branded shops and live entertainment, no park ticket required.
• Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Baseball's fourth-oldest active Major League park — home to the Los Angeles Angels since 1966 — offers a scenic setting backed by artificial mountains and fireworks fountains, with great food options including Chronic Tacos and Helmet Nachos from the Modelo Patio.
• Honda Center & Anaheim Ducks. The 19,200-seat arena hosts NHL hockey October through April, plus 300-plus concerts and events annually; the Brewery X Biergarten outdoor terrace opens two hours before every game, and the upcoming OCVIBE development will add 30 restaurants and a second concert venue to the surrounding plaza.

Best time to visit Anaheim & Buena Park

Spring (April-May) or Fall (September-October). Visit Anaheim's own guidance recommends spring (60s-70s°F, no rain) and fall (high 70s-low 80s°F, back-to-school crowd drop) as the best balance of pleasant weather and lighter theme-park crowds compared to summer. October adds Knott's Scary Farm as a major seasonal draw

Anaheim & Buena Park weather by month

Getting to Anaheim & Buena Park

The Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle connects over 70 hotels to Disneyland, the Convention Center, and Honda Center for a low per-ride fee — buy a multi-day pass at your hotel to save money and avoid driving between attractions. The closest major airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, about 15 miles south; Los Angeles International (LAX) is ~35 miles north. From LAX, the budget route is FlyAway bus to Union Station then Metrolink Orange County Line to Anaheim ARTIC (about $25–50 total). Rideshare from LAX runs $80–$120. The OCTA (OC Bus) Route 43 along Harbor Boulevard and Route 50 on Katella Avenue serve the Disneyland area and ARTIC transit hub at low cost — useful fo

• SNA John Wayne Airport – Orange County — 20 min drive
• LAX Los Angeles International Airport — 45 min drive
• LGB Long Beach Airport — 25 min drive

Where to stay in Anaheim & Buena Park

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Anaheim Resort District. The walkable tourist core surrounding Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, packed with hotels at every price point, the Anaheim Convention Center, GardenWalk, and the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttle network. Staying here means the parks are… Good for: First-time visitors, families, theme park trips.
• Platinum Triangle. Anaheim's up-and-coming urban neighborhood centered on Angel Stadium and Honda Center, with a growing restaurant and craft-brewery scene, riverfront trails along the Santa Ana River, and modern apartment-style hotels that feel less resort-busy than the… Good for: Sports fans, couples, travelers seeking a more local vibe.
• Buena Park (Beach Blvd Entertainment Zone). Clustered around Knott's Berry Farm, Medieval Times, and Pirates Dinner Adventure, this corridor has a dense supply of family motels and mid-range hotels. It's about five miles north of Disneyland but offers an alternative base for guests who want to split… Good for: Budget-conscious families, Knott's Berry Farm devotees, multi-attraction visitors.
• Downtown Anaheim / Colony District. Anaheim's historic core — anchored by the Packing District food hall, MUZEO, and a street-mural arts district — attracts travelers who want local dining and culture over theme-park proximity. The neighborhood is quieter at night, with boutique and… Good for: Food-focused travelers, culture seekers, return visitors looking beyond the parks.

Where to eat in Anaheim & Buena Park

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Strong Water. Downtown Anaheim / Center Street Promenade · Polynesian / Tiki Bar — Named to OpenTable's 2025 Top 100 Restaurants in America; a nautical tiki bar with rum-forward cocktails served in ceramic mugs…
• Craft by Smoke & Fire. Downtown Anaheim / Center Street Promenade · American BBQ — Oak-smoked brisket, in-house pastrami, smoked short ribs, and pork belly burnt ends; weekend all-you-can-eat brunch buffet includes…
• Pirates Dinner Adventure. Buena Park (Beach Blvd Entertainment Zone) · American / Dinner Theater — An 18th-century Spanish galleon set inside a 200,000-gallon indoor lagoon; guests cheer their color-coded pirate through…
• Anaheim Packing District. 440 S Anaheim Blvd · 4.6★ (14,608 reviews)
• Broken Yolk Cafe. 8010 Beach Blvd · 4.8★ (5,395 reviews)
• Cortina's Italian Market & Pizzeria. 2175 W Orange Ave · 4.7★ (3,943 reviews)
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.. 321 W Katella Ave Ste 101 · 4.4★ (5,824 reviews)
• Anaheim White House. 887 S Anaheim Blvd · 4.8★ (2,583 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Porto's Bakery & Café. Buena Park (Beach Blvd) · Cuban Bakery / Café — An SoCal institution since 1963 using the founding Rosa Porto family recipes from Cuba; legendary for potato balls (picadillo-stuffed, panko-crusted),…
• Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Buena Park (adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm) · American / Southern — Since 1934, the restaurant that accidentally launched Knott's Berry Farm serves Cordelia Knott's original fried-chicken dinner…
• Porto's Bakery and Cafe. 7640 Beach Blvd · 4.7★ (24,274 reviews)
• Forn Al Hara. 512 S Brookhurst St Ste 5 · 4.6★ (1,811 reviews)
• Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe. 155 W Center Street Promenade · 4.7★ (890 reviews)
• 85°C Bakery Cafe - Buena Park. 5151 Beach Blvd Ste C · 4.3★ (1,133 reviews)
• Paris Baguette. 5307 Beach Blvd #108 · 4.5★ (577 reviews)
• Paris Baguette. 321 W Katella Ave #132 · 4.8★ (342 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon. The Colony, Anaheim · New American / Steakhouse — MICHELIN-Selected urban steakhouse with a 10,000-bottle wine program backed by ten sommeliers; known for large-format cuts including a 58 oz. Cowboy…
• Poppy & Seed. Anaheim Packing District, Downtown Anaheim · California Farm-to-Table — MICHELIN-Selected greenhouse-style restaurant from Chef Michael Reed (2023 James Beard Award semi-finalist); locally sourced…
• Din Tai Fung. Downtown Disney District, Anaheim · Taiwanese / Dim Sum — The Michelin-recognized chain's first free-standing U.S. building; renowned for handcrafted soup dumplings (xiao long bao) folded to the…
• Ramen & Tsukemen TAO. Buena Park · Japanese Ramen — Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree (2022, 2023, 2024); Chef-owner Toshimasa Sano trained for 10 years in Tokyo before opening this no-frills Buena Park shop known for spicy…
• Puesto Anaheim. Anaheim Resort District (near Disneyland) · Modern Mexican — Organic blue-corn tortillas made fresh in-house; menu stars al pastor tacos with pineapple and crispy-melted-queso tacos alongside craft…
• Summit House Restaurant. 2000 E Bastanchury Rd · 4.7★ (2,176 reviews)
• Ruth's Chris Steak House. 2041 S Harbor Blvd · 4.5★ (2,723 reviews)
• Morton's The Steakhouse. 1895 S Harbor Blvd · 4.4★ (2,324 reviews)

A 7-Day Anaheim & Buena Park Plan

1. Day 1 — Magic Kingdom Arrival Day. Start your Anaheim adventure at Disneyland Park — arrive at rope drop to beat the crowds and head straight to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Grab a classic Mickey-shaped waffle breakfast at the Plaza Inn before the lines build. Cross into Disney California Adventure Park for Pixar…
2. Day 2 — Galaxy's Edge & Adventure Lands. Head back to Disneyland early and go straight to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to book a ride on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and experience the immersive Black Spire Outpost world before midday crowds arrive. Sip a Blue or Green Milk from the Milk Stand. Ride Rise of the…
3. Day 3 — Old West & Berry Farm Thrills. Drive a few minutes north to Knott's Berry Farm, the nation's first theme park — arrive at opening and head to Ghost Town to ride GhostRider, one of the longest wooden roller coasters in the world. Enjoy a fresh boysenberry pie or jam at the historic Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner…
4. Day 4 — Food, Art & Local Anaheim Life. Explore the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Anaheim — its rotating exhibits cover regional history and touring fine art collections, and the permanent Anaheim Heritage Center tells the city's fascinating origin story. The museum sits in a beautifully restored 1908…
5. Day 5 — Splash, Sun & Summer Fun. Spend a full morning at Knott's Soak City Water Park, right next door to Knott's Berry Farm — arrive early to claim a good spot and hit the Pacific Spin funnel slide and Tidal Wave Bay wave pool before the park fills up. The park's California beach theme and 15-plus slides make it a…
6. Day 6 — Knights, Feasts & Arena Action. Take a leisurely morning to revisit any Disneyland Resort highlights you missed or explore the ESPN Zone-style merchandise at Downtown Disney District. If you have park-hopper tickets, use this morning to catch any must-do rides with lower wait times on a weekday. Head to…
7. Day 7 — California Dreaming & Farewell. On your final day, revisit your single favorite park or attraction for a relaxed morning — whether that means one more ride on Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge or a peaceful walk through Disneyland's New Orleans Square. Pick up any remaining souvenirs from the…

Events & festivals in Anaheim & Buena Park

• Holidays at the Disneyland Resort (Mid-November through early January). Annual resort-wide celebration with Christmas parade ('A Christmas Fantasy'), Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, 'it's a small world' Holiday lighting (50,000 lights on the facade), Festival of the Holidays at DCA, and…
• Disneyland Grad Nite (May through early June (select Friday/Saturday nights)). Annual after-hours event for graduating high school seniors at Disney California Adventure Park. Includes DJ entertainment, attraction access, and character experiences. Running since the 1960s.
• Knott's Scary Farm (Halloween Haunt) (Mid-September through October 31 (select nights)). Annual Halloween event running since 1973; billed as the first, largest, and longest-running theme-park Halloween event. 160 acres of haunted mazes, scare zones, and live entertainment for adults. 2026 dates: September…
• Knott's Spooky Farm (Late September through October 31 (select daytime dates)). Family-friendly daytime Halloween counterpart to Scary Farm; trick-or-treating in Calico Town, character meet-and-greets. 2026 dates: September 24 - October 31.

Top-rated tours & activities in Anaheim & Buena Park

• Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More — 4.9★ (6,530 reviews)
• Best of LA: Hollywood, Griffith, Santa Monica, Venice, and Rodeo — 4.8★ (816 reviews)
• The VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood in California — 4.7★ (631 reviews)
• Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission Ticket, California — 4.0★ (1,642 reviews)
• LA to San Diego: History, Harbor & USS Midway Magic in one day — 4.0★ (25 reviews)
• 60 Minute Adventures at The Escape Game in Orange — 5.0★ (723 reviews)
• Best of LA, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica & Venice Tour from Anaheim — 4.9★ (387 reviews)
• Anaheim to LA: Hollywood, Beaches & Famous Film Sites tour — 4.8★ (902 reviews)

Anaheim & Buena Park travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Anaheim & Buena Park?

Spring (April-May) or Fall (September-October).

What are the top things to do in Anaheim & Buena Park?

Top experiences include Disneyland Resort, Knott's Berry Farm, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Anaheim Packing District, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

Which airport is closest to Anaheim & Buena Park?

John Wayne Airport – Orange County (SNA) is the nearest, about 20 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Anaheim & Buena Park?

Popular areas to base yourself include Anaheim Resort District, Platinum Triangle, Buena Park (Beach Blvd Entertainment Zone), Downtown Anaheim / Colony District.

How do I get around Anaheim & Buena Park?

The Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle connects over 70 hotels to Disneyland, the Convention Center, and Honda Center for a low per-ride fee — buy a multi-day pass at your hotel to save money and avoid driving between attractions.