Disney's magic kingdom, the Disneyland Park in Anaheim is the original theme park; a labor of love designed by Walt Disney himself, the only one of the franchise to have been built directly under his auspicious care. Since its grand opening in 1955, this theme park has come to be renown as the place where dreams come true; where ogres, dragons and wizards roam, dazzling visions of the future are realized, and all are invited to experience a realm born of an imagination that knows no bounds. Expanded over the years, this whimsical wonderland now includes eight playfully themed lands like Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown. Here, fairytale princesses and Mickey Mouse greet visitors of every age, welcoming them into a world where magical lands are brought to life and there are thrilling experiences galore.
Spanning 58 acres (23 hectares), the Oak Canyon Nature Center is a beautiful oasis of nature in the city. The sanctuary, flanked by three canyons is home to a diverse array of animal and bird species. Well-marked hiking trails offer a great opportunity to discover the park's many wonders. Stop by at the John J. Collier Interpretive Center to learn more about the natural features and history of the place.
This beautiful park is more than a mile long and rests on 175 lush acres of land. With more than 400 picnic tables, this park is ideal for a family outing. There are four lakes with connecting streams for fishing and sailing model boats. There are plenty of pedestrian and biking trails for the more active visitors. For children, there are many sets of play equipment like slides and jungle gyms. This place opens daily at 7 am.
Have an adventure at Adventure City! This theme park has a lot of exciting rides and attractions. Watch a performance at the Children's Theater, take a ride on the Freeway Coaster, win a prize at the arcade and hug a rabbit at the Petting Farm. This theme park is a fantastic attraction where you can bring your whole family, though the majority of the rides are geared towards children rather than teens and adults.
Naples Island in Long Beach, located in the middle of Alamitos Bay, was the brainchild of Arthur Parson, who wanted to create a romantic spot that resembled Italy. He dug canals and built cozy cottage homes on the water. There is a park in the center of the island and a small beach encircling most of it. The most charming part of the island is the gondola rides that can be taken through the canals.
Inspired by Tokyo's Imperial Gardens, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden opened its doors in 1981 and is a part of the California State University. The funds were donated by its namesake's widow whose love for gardens resulted in the building of this place. Dotted with trees like the Japanese black pines, pink cloud cherry, fern pines, saucer magnolias and Chinese flame trees, this serene garden is a sight to behold. A koi pond with a bridge and fish, garden art, pagoda, tea-house, fountains and a zig-zag bridge complete the beautiful landscape. The garden is a much favored spot for weddings.
Featuring rotating collections of fine art, this museum is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. There are plenty of interesting exhibits, and many often go beyond your basic art into the realms of science and children's exhibits. You can make a night of it, too, if you are there for the beer garden and crafts exhibit. This is fun and educational entertainment for the whole family. General admission is $4, senior citizens & students with a valid ID card $3, and children aged 6 to 12 $1. Children under the age of 6 are allowed in for free. All admissions are $2 on the first Thursday of evey month from 4p-8p.
If you do not have a swimming pool in your hotel or backyard this is a fine place to find one. Be warned, it is extremely crowded at times, especially in summer, so you may want to plan to be there at off-times, like early in the morning or later in the day. The park also has volleyball courts and racquetball courts.
California State University Fullerton, the largest of California's State Schools, is located very close to Anaheim and roughly 24 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The university is home to a theater, the Grand Central Arts Center, an arboretum, the Titans Sports Complex and Goodwin Field.
Located on California State University Fullerton, the Campus Sculpture Collection is an outdoor display scattered throughout the campus. From bizarre to artistic, these sculptures often have a whimsical tone and are made from everything from wax to steel to fiberglass. Walk through the campus to take a look at the artwork, including the Sea Bee which was created from a salvaged fuel ship and it looks like a ship is sinking into the lawn. Some other notable works include Fallen David, a replica of Michelangelo’s David that was broken into pieces during an earthquake of 1987, Arise by Eric Goulder and Lloyd Hamrol's Redoubling Wallpath, to name a few.
This is a non-profit botanical garden situated on 26 gorgeous acres of the California State University Fullerton. Botanical collections are sectioned into zones: the temperate zone, the tropical zone and the arid zone. There is a rare fruit grove featuring subtropical fruits like cherimoyas, kiwis, papayas, guavas and rare citrus varieties. The Children's Garden is the site for educational programs and hands-on fun. Also on the grounds is the Heritage House, an Eastlake Victorian cottage built in 1894 by Dr. George C. Clark, an early Fullerton physician, as his home and office. There is a lot of nature and a little bit of history here, making for a wonderful outing. Although admission is free, a voluntary donation is suggested.
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 over. 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 museum offers lets children learn through play!