Things happen fast in Anaheim. Take the Xcelerator, the tallest and fastest ride at Knott’s Berry Farm, all over in 22 seconds and too soon for the likes of Australian travel agents getting a taste of this iconic Californian destination.
Even Sol Spin, which matches Xcelerator’s thrill factor, leaves them craving more. “I wanted it to go for longer,” says Mary-Anne Guest from Adelaide’s Phil Hoffmann Travel.
Knott’s Berry Farm, the roadside berry stall that became a theme park, is the ideal segue from that dominant visitor beacon Disneyland Park to a wider Anaheim experience. It’s a throwback to the golden days of classic American fairgrounds, not that Anaheim isn’t forging ahead. With the FIFA World Cup 26™ and America’s 250th birthday celebrations coming next year plus the 2028 Summer Olympics, the city is getting ready to welcome an influx of tourists.
Australians account for 2.6% of California’s international visitors but are almost 11% of the spend, meaning they stay longer and want to see more, says Visit Anaheim’s director of tourism development Michael Young. “Significantly, this Australian spending occurs during historically low domestic seasons, filling a much-needed void.” They stay six days on average but spend only three to five days at Disneyland Resort, presenting an opportunity for agents to discover more of Anaheim.
Surf’s up
Around US$1 billion is being spent to upgrade the Honda Center, the Olympic volleyball venue, but more modest physical outlets entice. Huntington Beach, the closest coastal destination to Anaheim and officially styled as Surf City USA, sees riders young and old tackling the breaks, although the agents start more sedately with yoga on the beach. “There’s so much here,” says Angela Sonners from Envoyage in Hobart. “Yoga, surfing, bike riding, swimming, fishing. The beach is so wide and the sand is lovely.”
Further up the adrenaline scale, the Australians challenge each other in FlightDeck, a virtual jet fighter experience in GardenWalk, a hub of dining, retail and entertainment from cinemas and bowling to the renowned House of Blues.
GardenWalk sits alongside JW Marriott Anaheim Resort, typical of higher-echelon accommodation springing up in the city. On its rooftop bar and private-dining space Parkestry, the agents enjoy a refined dinner topped off by the Disneyland Park fireworks. Another dazzling rooftop with atmosphere to match is RISE Rooftop Lounge at the Westin.
Downtown delights
Barely 10 minutes away, downtown Anaheim is another world, where a relaxed food and drink culture has developed, from the Packing House, packed with casual eateries and bars, to Broken Spirits, a distillery operating a barbecue restaurant in a classic old house. Meanwhile, En Familia serves exciting Mexican fare in a historic car workshop.
The US west coast reinvented craft beer, and Anaheim boasts 20 breweries, the Australians gravitating to Golden Road, a convivial shed with a great menu. “I hadn’t expected Anaheim to have such a prominent nightlife, bar, foodie and brewery scene,” says Kellie Easterbrook from Pursers Travel in Queensland.
Another eye-opener is Anaheim’s public transport. ART buses connect hotels with Disneyland Park, stadiums and the convention centre, and you can arrange on-demand rides. Plus there’s FRAN, cute free carts operating in central Anaheim on weekends. “Public transport is a selling point for tourists,” says Mary-Anne Guest, “because few of them are confident driving (in America).” A transport hub is OC Vibe, a multi-billion-dollar residential, hotel, dining and arts precinct now being developed. From here, a high-speed train will connect with central LA in around 20 minutes. Says Nicholas Dann from Hunter Travel: “It’s going to be an awesome district.”
Stay connected
Anaheim also gets around through Karmel Connect, providing transfers, charters, tours and point-to-point rides. The Australians use it for a day trip to Hollywood for the Warner Bros studio experience and a jaunt around the celebrities’ homes, confirming Anaheim as an ideal base for wider touring. Karmel’s “Shop ’til you Drop” tours are a hit for visitors killing time between hotel check-out and evening flights. (Agents like that it’s a commissionable product.)
A smart airport option is Long Beach, 20 minutes from Anaheim compared with the long trip, and longer queues, at LAX. Hawaiian Airlines, flying between Sydney and Honolulu five times a week, has connections along the west coast, providing a more relaxed US entry/exit experience and an ideal trip-breaker on the sands at Waikiki.
This longer Anaheim stay resonates with the agents. Brooke Robertson of Queensland’s Ignite Travel loves the mix of accommodation levels, plus the ease of ART transport. Angela Sonners will be recommending at least a seven-day stay to her clients. And Mary-Anne Guest advises: “Go beyond the Disney boulevards and experience the richness of Anaheim’s dining. This was such a great insight for me as someone who’s been here many times.”
Visit Anaheim’s Michael Young is a grateful host. “Getting respected travel professionals to help us tell the greater Anaheim story allows us to present itineraries that leave visitors wanting more.”
Read more trip tales by Jeremy Bourke
- Forget the stress: Take the relaxed Aloha route to Anaheim and Disneyland
- What’s next for Disney and Anaheim after 70 years of magical success?
Writer Jeremy Bourke travelled as a guest of Aqua Aston, Disneyland, Hawaiian Airlines & Visit Anaheim.
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