Located behind Disneyland across Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim GardenWalk is a lively complex that offers a combination of dining and shopping experiences. Majority of the restaurants here are renowned establishments such as Roy's, Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. For a lively outing with friends, you can visit the Bowlmor Lanes bowling alley. Furthermore, the center includes stores like Skechers and Sunglass Hut. While the selection may be modest, it is adequate to warrant a leisurely stroll through the center.
Crystal Cove State Park spans 3.2 miles (5.15 kilometers) of beach and over 2000 acres (809.37 hectares) of wilderness. Visitors to the park can relax on the beach, hike or go horseback riding on the many trails that criss-cross the verdant landscape. Explore tide pools and hidden coves as well as canyon flora and fauna. Finally, the crystal clear waters have been designated as an underwater park and are great for scuba diving, skin diving, and underwater photography, thus covering all aspects of outdoor exploration.
Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano is a California icon. Perhaps most famous for visits from its annual guests of honor, the swallows, the Mission means many things to many people. For Californians, it is a powerful symbol of the state's complicated colonial history. For Catholics, it is a profound religious site, indicative of the Church's own complex heritage. History buffs spend hours reveling in the facility's many exhibits and displays, connecting viscerally with the sights, sounds and feelings of generations long past. For visitors of any background, it is an undeniably gorgeous place to spend an afternoon-replete with striking architectural elements and lovingly cared-for gardens.
The perfect thing to do on a bright sunny day is to head to Rancho Los Alamitos. Admire the 19th Century ranch house that houses an interesting museum about local history, then explore the surrounding area. Make sure you stop by the barn and check out the livestock, which is often the highlight for children. You can also stroll through the beautiful garden. The gift shop has interesting things to take back home too. Overall, a historical place with lots of education, along with fun thrown in.
The Planes of Fame Air Museum started in 1957 as a project by Edward Maloney, who was an avid collector of WWII aircraft. Ever since his idea, the museum has been collecting historic flying machines, some of which are the only remaining ones of their kind. The museum also features the largest collection of Japanese aircraft in the world and since it's a living history museum, some of these can still fly, so make sure to catch the air shows to see history in action.
The Fox Theater Pomona is an all-purpose venue that has a multitude of entertainment options. The venue first started as a proud movie cinema in 1931 during an era that produced legends on the silver screen. Today it serves as a concert hall, theater, cinema, and event venue, where the theater hosts everything from private parties to romantic dinners. The beautiful Art Deco structure is one of the most sought-after event venues in the city.
The West Coast Theatre is one of the oldest theaters of the city. It's a part of the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the must-visit places in the city.
Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum is named so because it belonged to Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle, who was one of the first female physicians in the entire county till she died in 1924. Built by Stoughton and George in 1889, the Late Victorian Queen Anne style house now operates as Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum by the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society in honor of the original owner. It open for tours on the first Saturday of every other month, starting from February.
La Tour (French for "the tower") is what locals love to call the mysterious tower jutting next to the cliffs at Victoria Beach. This quaint and browning tower, with rugged stones at its base, seems almost as though it has grown naturally out of the cliffs. For decades locals have wondered about the tower's origin; was it perhaps a lighthouse to guide sailors or really a pirate's haunt? Most people now seem to agree that the tower is nothing but an extension of a former home that perched on the clifftop. It was built in 1926 as a stairway for Senator William E. Brown and his family to access the beach from their home. The single metal staircase found inside the tower seems to confirm this theory. You can only visit La Tour during low tide and that too with permission from the owners, as it stands on private property. However, if you do get a chance to visit, the beach surrounding the tower is one of the most picturesque and secluded spots in the city.
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Saint Michael's Episcopal Church was build in 1876. In 1955, the church was moved to its present location along West South Street. Today the church remains an important part of the community holding weekly events and services. Be sure to visit the website for services times and more information.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church is a friendly Long Beach church that was built in 1917 and then later rebuilt after the 1933 earthquake. The church welcomes everybody and has become known for its support of LGBT issues to show how Christianity is welcoming to all. St. Luke's Episcopal Church conducts regular prayer meetings and services and also holds cultural events on a regular basis.