Planning a summer vacation for the family? Few places are better for all-around fun than Orange County, California. Whether you want to relax on the beach or take an exciting thrill ride at one of the amusement parks, Anaheim has something for everyone. Here are some of the best places to go, what to do, and where you can stay when it’s time for a well-deserved break.

Los Angeles Angels Baseball Games

The Los Angeles Angels are one of the oldest American professional baseball teams, dating back to 1892 when the team was originally formed. In 1961, the team played their home games at Wrigley Field, before playing briefly at Dodger Stadium from 1962 to 1965.

Now, the Los Angeles Angels play at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, which was renovated in 1997. The stadium features an artificial rock formation on the field called the “California Spectacular,” which has a working waterfall and shoots fireworks when the Angels hit a home run or win a game. On average, there are about 30,000 people at each game, making it an exciting family adventure for sports fans of all ages.

Click here to check the Angels’ 2024 schedule.

Popular Beaches

Southern California’s gorgeous beaches are second to none and people come from all over the world to experience the area’s white sand and crashing waves. Beach days are a great low-cost way to spend a day in the OC, and it’s easy to visit more than one of these iconic shores just by driving along the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Huntington Beach
  • Laguna Beach
  • Newport Beach
  • Seal Beach
  • Dana Point

Anaheim Packing District

Anaheim Packing District is an exciting culinary adventure you and the family won’t want to miss. You can stop by the old Sunkist orange processing plant on your way to or from Disneyland® Resort to enjoy a wide variety of international dishes from 30+ food vendors inside a beautifully designed, walkable pavilion. 

Public Parks

The weather in Orange County is almost always comfortable enough to venture outside, so public parks in the area are usually very clean and well appointed. Pack a picnic and head to one of these cool spots for a relaxed afternoon away from the city bustle:

  • Irvine Regional Park
  • Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park
  • Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
  • Peters Canyon Regional Park
  • Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park

Museums

When the weather gets hot, head inside to one of the county’s dozens of art and history museums to cool down and learn about California’s rich culture. Whether you want to tour botanical gardens, learn about surfing on the West Coast, or get the kids into a hands-on activity, there are nearly endless places to go, like

  • Mission San Juan Capistrano
  • Hilbert Museum of California Art
  • Discovery Cube
  • The Disney Gallery
  • Laguna Art Museum

Knott’s Berry Farm & Soak City

Knott’s Berry Farm is another great amusement park in Orange County, with lots of thrill rides and one of SoCal’s only water parks. While Camp Snoopy provides fun things to do for little ones, Knott’s is ideal for older kids and teens who want a little more excitement.

If you’re a roller coaster junkie, you also won’t want to miss these great rides:

  • GhostRider wooden coaster
  • Jaguar! theme coaster
  • Montezooma’s Revenge shuttle coaster
  • The Pony Express kids’ coaster
  • Xcelerator 90 degree drop coaster
  • Coast Rider family coaster

Good attractions for small children include the Balloon Race, Butterfield Stagecoach, Calico Railroad, Carrusel de California, Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer, and the arcade.

Where To Stay During Your OC Family Vacation

When you’re ready to take a break from all the excitement, Tropicana Inn & Suites offers comfortable and affordable rooms in the heart of Anaheim, right across from Disneyland® Resort. With plenty of restaurants and public transportation nearby, you’ll have an easy time fitting everything you want to do in your family’s schedule.

Make reservations online today or call (714) 635-4082.