sightseeing/activities in and around Anaheim

[gottagetback]

Hello:
DH and I are visiting SoCal for the 1st time in September. We will be visiting San Diego for the first couple of days on business then heading up the coast to DL. I am very familiar with WDW but not California.
The schedule for DL on the days we will be there states that DL will close at 8p and DCA at 6p. Any suggestions on what to do in the evening? We are not big drinkers or into the bar scene at all although we will be traveling sans children. I am particularly interested in maybe a half day trip to the coast or something. I have considered leaving DLR early the day before we fly out of LAX to visit the beach for one night but am not convinced yet. The traveling and traffic scare me a little!
Thanks,
GGB

 

[disneyfaninaz]

As far as the evenings go, I would stay close to the resort rather than venture out. The stores at DL will stay open an hour later than the park closes. You can also hang out at Downtown Disney or see a movie which is right outside the gates of DL.

There is a new shopping mall open called Anaheim Garden Walk close to the parks with stores and restaurants you could also check out.

Long Beach isn't too far form Anaheim if you are interested in a half day trip. I also hear Huntington Beach is nice if you want beach time.

 

[NWPrincess]

You may surprise yourself and be more tired after Disneyland than you think. I know the last time I went in September, I thought, "Oh, the park closes at 8pm, what will I do after that?" Even from the first day I was so tired from a full day at the park that we went back to the hotel and I either took a quick dip in the pool, but most of the time I went right to bed.

If you are so inclined, Downtown Disney has street entertainment which is fun to sit there and watch.

 

[talie95]

I would also suggest hanging out at Downtown Disney....see a movie or just hang out and shop!

 

[gottagetback]

You may surprise yourself and be more tired after Disneyland than you think. I know the last time I went in September, I thought, "Oh, the park closes at 8pm, what will I do after that?" Even from the first day I was so tired from a full day at the park that we went back to the hotel and I either took a quick dip in the pool, but most of the time I went right to bed.

If you are so inclined, Downtown Disney has street entertainment which is fun to sit there and watch.

I am sure you are right about that. It's just that I have never been to CA before and don't know when I'll get the opportunity again so I may be trying to cram too much into this trip! I am just so excited!!!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

You mean there are things to do near Anaheim that don't involve Disney

If you don't know when you'll be back to Disneyland I would not cut DLR time short just to visit the beach. It's just a whole lot of sand that's rough, coarse, gets everywhere, and is not smooth(sorry about that I just drifted off into memorably cheesy pickup lines from Star Wars) with some water very close to it.

 

[Cali_Sparrow]

I bet you will be way too tired after Disney to do much. But I suggest saving dinner for when you leave the parks and going to one of the restaurants at DTD if you can. That will probably take you up to about 9 pm every night and then you will be plenty tired for sure.

For beaches. Huntington is the best bet from Anaheim. It's decent.

Long Beach is not a place to be at night but they have Aquarium of the Pacific, adult admission is $20.95. It features animals specific to the Pacific Ocean including sea lions and many tropical fish. They have an outdoor zoo too with some mammals and a walk through Lorikeet feeding exhibit which is a lot of fun. Bubba Gump's is across the street for meals.
This is about a 40 minute drive from Anaheim, more or less.

If you have an extra day, I highly recommend driving to Santa Monica and then driving along PCH, it's gorgeous. If you did this, I suggest Malibu for the beach, I prefer it over Huntington anyway.