The best attractions near Disneyland include Downtown Disney, Anaheim GardenWalk, the Anaheim Packing District, Knott’s Berry Farm, Adventure City, Bowers Museum and several Orange County beaches. Downtown Disney is the easiest option without a car, while most other things to do near Disneyland are approximately a 10- to 20-minute drive from the parks.
Adding one activity outside the parks can make a longer Anaheim trip feel less repetitive. It also gives you a chance to slow down, eat somewhere local or experience a different side of Southern California.
The right choice depends on how much time you have. Downtown Disney and Anaheim GardenWalk fit easily into an arrival evening, while Knott’s Berry Farm and the coast deserve at least half a day.
If you are still organizing the main part of your vacation, my step-by-step Disneyland trip planning guide covers tickets, hotels, park reservations and daily strategy.
Compare Attractions Near Disneyland
| Attraction | Approximate Travel | Time Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Disney | Walk from the parks | 1 to 3 hours | Dining, shopping and Disney atmosphere |
| Anaheim GardenWalk | Walk or short rideshare | 1 to 3 hours | Dining and evening entertainment |
| Anaheim Packing District | About 10 to 15 minutes by car | 1 to 3 hours | Food and a relaxed local atmosphere |
| Knott’s Berry Farm | About 15 to 20 minutes by car | Most of a day | Roller coasters and another theme park |
| Adventure City | About 15 to 20 minutes by car | 3 to 5 hours | Families with younger children |
| Downtown Anaheim | About 10 to 15 minutes by car | 1 to 3 hours | Local dining, shops and events |
| Angel Stadium or Honda Center | About 10 to 15 minutes by car | 2 to 4 hours | Sports, concerts and evening events |
| Bowers Museum | About 15 to 20 minutes by car | 2 to 3 hours | Art, culture and an indoor afternoon |
| The Outlets at Orange | About 10 to 15 minutes by car | 2 to 4 hours | Shopping, movies and casual entertainment |
| Orange County beaches | About 30 to 45 minutes by car | Half or full day | A Southern California side trip |
| Tenaya Stone Spa | At the Disneyland Resort | 1 to 3 hours | Adults, couples and rest days |
11 Best Attractions Near Disneyland
1. Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is the closest attraction to Disneyland because it sits directly beside Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. You do not need theme park admission to enter the district.
This is the easiest choice when you have only a few free hours. You can eat, shop and enjoy some of the Disneyland Resort atmosphere without using another day of park admission.
Downtown Disney works especially well on an arrival or departure day. It is also convenient for guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
My guide to the best things to do in Downtown Disney covers the main shops, restaurants and entertainment options that do not require a theme park ticket.
2. Anaheim GardenWalk
Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor dining and entertainment complex located east of the Disneyland Resort area. It is close enough to walk from many nearby hotels, although a short rideshare may feel more appealing after a full park day.
GardenWalk is most useful for dinner, drinks, live entertainment or an indoor activity when you need a break from rides. The collection of restaurants and businesses changes over time, so check its current directory before planning around one particular location.
It is not a full-day destination, but it is one of the easiest things to do around Disneyland when you want something nearby after leaving the parks.
3. Anaheim Packing District
The Anaheim Packing District is one of the best nearby choices when everyone in your group wants something different to eat.
The centerpiece is the Anaheim Packing House, a restored citrus-packing facility filled with independent food and drink vendors. The surrounding district includes additional historic buildings, outdoor spaces and community events.
It works well for a late lunch or early dinner after several days of theme park food. Everyone can order separately and meet at a shared table instead of agreeing on one restaurant menu.
Vendor hours and businesses can change, so check the current merchant directory before visiting.
For another off-property meal, my guide to the best Mexican food near Disneyland includes nearby options outside the resort area.
4. Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm is the strongest option when you want another full theme park near Disneyland. It is located in Buena Park, typically about 15 to 20 minutes away when traffic is reasonable.
Knott’s has a noticeably different atmosphere from Disneyland. Ghost Town focuses on Old West theming, the Boardwalk has a traditional amusement-park feel and Camp Snoopy is geared toward younger families.
Thrill seekers will find major roller coasters, while families can mix in shows, smaller attractions and themed areas. Seasonal events can also change the experience, particularly around Halloween and the winter holidays.
Give Knott’s most of a day rather than trying to fit it into the evening after Disneyland. It requires separate admission and transportation, and it has enough attractions to justify its own itinerary.
5. Adventure City
Adventure City is a small family amusement park west of Disneyland. It is best suited to families with younger children who want more rides without the scale or intensity of another major theme park.
The compact park includes children’s rides, small roller coasters, a train and family entertainment. Most groups can experience it in several hours rather than committing an entire day.
Adventure City can work on a departure day, during a break between Disneyland days or when younger children have had enough of large crowds and long park hours.
Operating days and attraction availability vary, so confirm the schedule before making the drive.
6. Downtown Anaheim
Downtown Anaheim offers a more local atmosphere than the immediate Disneyland Resort district. The area includes restaurants, small businesses, historic buildings, public spaces and scheduled community events.
The Center Street Promenade and nearby blocks are easy to combine with the Anaheim Packing District. Visiting both during the same outing avoids making two separate trips away from the resort area.
Markets and special events take place on selected dates, but schedules can change. Check the current Downtown Anaheim calendar before planning around a particular event.
This area is best for visitors who want food and a casual neighborhood atmosphere rather than rides or a structured tourist attraction.
7. Angel Stadium and Honda Center
Angel Stadium and the Honda Center are near each other in Anaheim and can turn a Disneyland vacation into a sports or concert trip.
Angel Stadium hosts Los Angeles Angels baseball games, while the Honda Center hosts Anaheim Ducks hockey, concerts and touring events.
These attractions depend entirely on the event calendar. Check the schedules before the trip rather than visiting without a ticketed event.
An evening game or concert can fit after a shorter park day, but leave extra time for traffic, rideshare delays and security lines.
8. Bowers Museum
The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana is one of the best cultural attractions near Disneyland. Its galleries focus on art, history and rotating special exhibitions.
This is a good choice when you want an indoor, slower-paced afternoon after several busy theme park days. Allow roughly two or three hours, depending on the exhibitions available during your visit.
Family programs, special exhibitions and admission policies can change, so check the museum calendar and ticket information before visiting.
9. The Outlets at Orange
The Outlets at Orange combines outlet stores, restaurants, a movie theater and other entertainment in a large outdoor shopping complex.
It can fill several hours, provide a place to replace something you forgot to pack or give teenagers a break from theme parks. It also works when your group wants an unstructured afternoon with several options in one location.
Stores and entertainment offerings change, so check the current directory before visiting for one specific business.
10. An Orange County Beach
A beach is not the closest attraction to Disneyland, but it is one of the best ways to make the trip feel more like a broader Southern California vacation.
Huntington Beach is one of the most straightforward options from Anaheim, with a long beach, pier and nearby dining. Newport Beach offers several different coastal areas, including the Balboa Peninsula and Corona del Mar.
A beach visit works better as a half-day or full-day outing than as an addition to a full Disneyland park day. Traffic can make the drive unpredictable, and the coast is more enjoyable when you are not watching the clock.
My comparison of which beach is closest to Disneyland covers travel times, parking and which coastal area works best for different visitors.
11. Tenaya Stone Spa and the Disneyland Resort Hotels
Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel is one of the easiest options for adults who want a rest day without traveling far from Disneyland.
The spa offers massages, facials and other treatments by reservation. Availability and access policies can change, so confirm current options before planning your day around a treatment.
The Disneyland Resort hotels can also be enjoyable places to eat or explore. However, pools, fitness centers and many hotel activities are reserved for registered guests.
My Disneyland hotel guide compares the three Disney-operated properties, while my Grand Californian Hotel guide explains that resort in greater detail.
What Is Closest to Disneyland?
Downtown Disney is the closest attraction because it is part of the Disneyland Resort and sits beside the theme park entrances. It is the simplest option when you do not have a car or only have one or two free hours.
Anaheim GardenWalk is also close to the resort and walkable from many Disneyland-area hotels. The restaurants and businesses around Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue provide additional options without requiring a long drive.
The Anaheim Packing District, Downtown Anaheim, Angel Stadium and Honda Center generally require a short drive or rideshare. Knott’s Berry Farm, Adventure City and the beaches require more travel time.
If staying close to the parks is important, compare my list of hotels within walking distance of Disneyland.
Do You Need a Car?
You do not need a car for Downtown Disney, Anaheim GardenWalk or many restaurants around the Disneyland Resort area.
A rideshare is usually sufficient for the Anaheim Packing District, Downtown Anaheim, the stadium area and Bowers Museum. A rental car becomes more useful for Knott’s Berry Farm, Adventure City, outlet shopping or a beach day, especially when several people are traveling together.
Compare the rental rate with hotel parking, attraction parking and fuel. My Disneyland parking guide explains the parking process if you will also be driving to the theme parks.
Choose an Attraction Based on Your Available Time
If you have one or two hours: Walk through Downtown Disney or stop at Anaheim GardenWalk for a meal.
If you have half a day: Visit the Anaheim Packing District, Adventure City, Bowers Museum or The Outlets at Orange.
If you have a full day: Choose Knott’s Berry Farm for more rides or visit an Orange County beach for a complete change of pace.
Trying to combine too many nearby attractions into one day can create more driving than enjoyment. Choose the place that adds something your Disneyland trip is missing, whether that is local food, culture, relaxation, shopping, sports or time near the ocean.
For more Disneyland hotel, ticket, dining and ride information, continue through the main Disneyland planning hub.
