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Welcome to
The Best of
Anaheim
Day Trips & Excursions

Level One Day Trips

Anaheim
Get reviews of popular Anaheim, California attractions from TripAdvisor, Frommers, Fodors, etc. all in one place.

Disneyland
1313 S Harbor Blvd, Harbor Blvd & 5 Frwy,
(714) 956-6425

The happiest place on earth! Make all your childhood dreams come true in Disney's two Theme Parks, a lively entertainment district, and three delightful hotels. You can spend days here and still come back for more. (go to web site for more)

Anaheim Museum Inc.
241 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim Blvd & Lincoln Ave, (714) 778-3301

Built with a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation near the turn of the 20th century, the building has led several lives: first as a public library, later as the city's personnel department and finally as a historic museum. It is the only Carnegie Building remaining in Orange County, which once had five, and boasts an architectural pedigree of near royal status -- at least among Southern California buildings. (go to web site for more)

Links to More Information:
Print friendly history of museum

Anaheim Hills

Ramon Peralta Adobe
Fairmont Ave & Santa Ana Canyon Rd
(714) 973-3190

This adobe is the only such structure from the era of the Spanish and Mexico land grants still surviving in the Santa Ana Canyon area. Built in 1871 at what was then known as the town of Peralta, the fledgling community consisted of nine such adobes, a combination saloon and pottery shop, and a school

Brea

Buena Park

Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Beach Blvd & La Palma Ave, (714) 220-5200

Want to make the most of your day? Try the Fun Finder.  Whether you're spending the whole day or just a few hours, these sample itineraries will help you plan it all! Got teens? We've got a list of rides and attractions that will make any thrill seeker scream! Families, and those with small children can map out their day perfectly, too. And for any history buffs or anyone wanting to stroll down Memory Lane, check out the Ghost Town itinerary highlighting many of Walter Knott's original attractions.

Costa Mesa
Plan your trip to Costa Mesa, California with reviews from Expedia, Hotels.com, VirtualTourist, etc. all in one place.
Plan a romantic getaway to Costa Mesa, California, with reviews from TripAdvisor, Frommers, Fodors, etc. all in one place.

The Diego Sepulveda Adobe
Adams & Mesa Verde, (714) 754-5105

At the corner of Adams and Mesa Verde Drive in Costa Mesa stands the home of the Diego Sepulveda family. This beautifully restored adobe was originally constructed in 1823. It served for many years as a station for the herdsmen of the Capistrano Mission. The location of the adobe offers a commanding view of the "mesa"(coastal plateau) and surrounding communities. Authentically refurbished rooms help the guests relive life as it was during the rancho era of early California. The adobe is surrounded by a small community park where playground equipment, picnic facilities and restrooms are provided. For information of tours and hours of business call (949) 631-5918.

Costa Mesa Historical Society
Adams & Mesa Verde, (714) 754-5105

The Costa Mesa Historical Society was formed in 1966 as a support group for a historical landmark, the Diego Sepulveda Adobe. This early nineteenth century structure had been given to the City of Costa Mesa by the Segerstrom family with the understanding that it would be restored as a museum for the benefit of the community. (go to web site for more)

Orange County Museum Of Art 3333 Bristol St # 1000, Bristol St & 405 Frwy, (714) 662-3366

California Biennial
Newport Beach

October 12 - January 9, 2005
The 2004 California Biennial will inaugurate the museum's renovated facility. The premier exhibition for young artists in the state, this biennial will be the largest and most ambitious in the museum's history. For the first time, taking place throughout the museum's galleries, as well as in its new indoor and outdoor public spaces and in the Orange Lounge at South Coast Plaza.

Cypress

Dana Point

Orange County Marine Studies Institute 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point Harbor Dr & Street of the Golden Lantern, (949) 496-2274

Dana Point Historical Society 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy # 104, Coast Hwy & Street of the Blue Lantern, (949) 248-8121

Tallship Pilgrim
24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point Harbor Dr & Street of the Golden Lantern, (949) 496-2274

Ocean Insitute
24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point Harbor Dr & Street of the Golden Lantern, (949) 496-2274

Fullerton

Heritage House
1900 Associated Rd, (714) 278-4791

Beckman Coulter Heritage Exhibit
4300 N Harbor Blvd, Harbor Blvd & Imperial Hwy, (714) 773-6924

Muckenthaler Cultural Center 1201 Malvern Ave, (714) 738-6595

Fullerton Museum Center
301 N Pomona Ave, Pomona Ave & Wilshire Ave, (714) 738-6545

Garden Grove

Garden Grove Historical Society
12174 Euclid St, Euclid St & Strawberry Ln, (714) 530-8871

Lock Museum of Orange County
9177 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove Blvd & Magnolia St, (714) 636-5652

Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum
411 Olive Ave, Olive Ave & Main St, (714) 960-3483

Great place to visit the early world of surfing. Surfing Museum Web site has links to many other surf web sites.
Summer Hours - 12-5 pm, daily (until September 30)
Winter Hours - 12-5 pm, Thursday-Monday

Irvine

Irvine Museum
18881 Von Karman Ave # 100 (Ground Floor), Von Karman Ave & Martin, (949) 476-2565

La Habra

Children's Museum Of La Habra
301 S Euclid St, (562) 905-9793

Laguna Beach

Laguna Art Museum
307 Cliff Dr, Coast Hwy & Cajon St, (949) 494-8971

Laguna Niguel

Orange County Natural History Museum
28373 Alicia Parkway, (949) 831-3287

Red Car Museum
Main St & Electric St, (562) 431-9501

Lake Forest

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Rd, Serrano Rd & Lake Forest Dr, (949) 855-2028

Mission Viejo

Newport Beach

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum 151 E Coast Hwy, Coast Hwy & Bayside Dr, (949) 675-8915

The Orange County Museum Of Art
850 San Clemente Dr, Pacific Coast Hwy & Mac Arthur Blvd, (949) 759-1122 ex 204

Orange

Victorian Bridal Museum
254 S Glassell St, Glassell St & Palmyra Ave, (714) 997-1893

Old Town Orange Plaza District
Chapman Ave & Glassell St, (714) 780-8701

San Clemente

Nautical Heritage Society
1064 Calle Negocio # B, El Camino Real & Avenida Miramar, (949) 369-6773

Heritage Of San Clemente Center
415 N El Camino Real, El Camino Real & Avenida Miramar, (949) 369-1299

San Juan Capistrano

Orange County Natural History
31781 Camino Capistrano, Camino Capistrano & Ortega Hwy, (949) 487-9155

The Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum
31806 El Camino Real, (949) 493-4933

O'Neill Museum
31831 Los Rios St, Los Rios St & Del Obispo St, (949) 493-8444

Santa Ana

Grand Central Art Center (CSUF)
125 N Broadway, Broadway & 1st St, (714) 567-7233

Dr Howe-Waffle House
120 W Civic Center Dr , Civic Center Dr & Main St, (714) 547-9645

Centennial Heritage Museum
3101 W Harvard St, Harvard St & Fairview St, (714) 540-0404

Bowers Kidseum
1802 N Main St, Main St & 18th St, (714) 480-1520

Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
2002 N Main St, Main St & 5 frwy, (714) 567-3600

Discovery Science Center
2500 N Main St, (714) 542-2823

Old Courthouse Museum of Orange County
211 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana Blvd & Broadway, (714) 834-3703

Seal Beach

Tustin

Marconi Automotive Museum
1302 Industrial Dr. (714) 258-3001

Tustin Area Historical Society & Museum
395 El Camino Real, El Camino Real & Main St, (714) 731-5701

Westminster

Westminster Museum
8612 Westminster Blvd, Westminster Blvd & Newland St, (714) 891-2597

Yorba Linda

Susanna Bixby Bryant Museum & Botanic Garden
5700 Susanna Bryant Dr, (714) 694-0235

Richard M. Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, (714) 993-5075

Level Two Trips

Temecula

Nestled between lush rolling hills with a climate of ocean-swept air, Temecula's natural splendor hosts a rich history, beautiful vineyards, resorts and casinos, recreation, and a choice of entertaining activities.

Temecula's picturesque wine country features over 20 award-winning wineries where you can spend a relaxing day touring and tasting world-class wines. Take pleasure in a round of golf at one of Temecula Valley's seven championship golf courses, go hiking, or spend a day of fishing at the lakes. Soar above the lush green vineyards in an early morning hot air balloon ride and see what makes the Temecula countryside so unique. Visit the Old West in Historic Old Town Temecula and then take a stroll along the streets to shop at the many antique, specialty, and boutique stores. Stop off at one of our exciting entertainment casinos for shows and sporting events. Be sure to experience the flavors of dishes created from top chefs at one of the many fine-dining establishments
Helpful Links: (Open new window, just close window to come back here)
City of Temecula Web Site with information all about the local area
Temecula Chamber of Commerce Web Site with tons of local information and lots of links to great activities
Temecula Film Festival Web Site
Temecula Valley Wine Growers Association Web Site where you can find out all you want to know about the local wineries
Temecula Information.com -The place to find out everything about Temecula
Temecula Creek Inn Web Site gives information on a great place to relax and get away from it all
Destination Temecula Web Site where you can arrange tours of the area, a great place to start
Temecula ValleyBallon and Wine Festival Web Site for information about this great event
California Dreamin' Web Site is a place to arrange hot air ballon adventures over the valley

San Diego
From its world-famous zoo and aquarium to its bountiful beaches, San Diego's vibrant and exciting lifestyle has plenty to offer visitors and their whole families.

It's the kind of city where every day is a beach day, and where everyone is busy having as much fun as possible.

A relaxed atmosphere pervades the city, probably one of the reasons that draw more than 30 million visitors a year to San Diego. Given the beautiful weather and outdoor activities abound, San Diego is probably one of the most pedestrian friendly cities in America. Families walk, skate, and bike their way to over 70 miles of beaches or any one of San Diego's numerous attractions

See below for ideas on where to go and what to do in San Diego
For more ideas check out the San Diego Hotel Guide (Open new window, just close window to come back here)

Sea World

If you want to have a great experience sign up for trainer for a day. You get to get up close and very personal with the animals. It's more than likely unlike anything you've ever experienced and something you'll always remember.
Links: (Open new window, just close window to come back here)
Sea World San Diego Web Site where all the information you could ever need about the park resides
The Shamu Cam gives you a constant view of Shamu, so you can see what's going on even when you're not there
Photos of San Diego on the About Web Site
Red Lion's Hanalei Hotel Web Site so you can check on rooms before you go
Discount Tickets for Sea World and lots more

San Diego Zoo

The Zoological Society of San Diego was founded October 2, 1916, so there's been plenty of time for it to become one of the best places to see animals of the world. A trip to the San Diego Zoo is always something worth a greast memory. It's a new experience every time you go.
Links: (Open new window, just close window to come back here)
San Diego Zoo Visitor's Information Center a good place to start

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Special covered safari trucks transport guests right into the exhibit areas, so you get an up close view of wildlife such as antelope and zebra. This is tremendous photo opportunity with these animals sometimes within inches of your lense.
Links: (Open new window, just close window to come back here)
The San Diego Wild Animal Park

Lego Land

Links: (Open new window, just close window to come back here)
This takes you to the Lego Land web site

Santa Barbara

Hollywood

Level Three Trips

Sierra Nevada

Shaver Lake

50 Minutes northeast of Fresno is a quiet place with few tourists it's a great place to get away from it all. You can go horseback riding, fish, waterski or just relax and enjoy the vistas. Over 5,000 feet above sea level and about the same size as Lake Arrowhead, but much quieter.
Links:
Bed and Breakfast at Shaver Lake
Horseback Riding at Shaver Lake
Eating and watersports at Shaver Lake
Information about Shaver Lake's activities and weather

Huntington Lake

Huntington Lake is located just below the alpine level at 7,000 feet in the High Sierras. Located in central California it is a favorite destination from the central coast and many locations in the San Joaquin Valley. Not far from Shaver Lake (shown below)
Links:
The main website for Huntington Lake
Information about Huntington Lake activities and weather
State of California website information about Huntington Lake
Snowmobiles and other sports activities

Vintage Train Ride
Boulder City, Nevada

The Nevada State Railroad Museum's vintage train tour of the El Dorado Valley, is a seven-mile 45 minute trip. The train uses refurbished 1911 pullman coaches, from which you get a great view of the desert scenery around Boulder City. It runs Fri - Sun four times a day starting at 10 AM. The starting point is a station at Boulder Hwy and Yucca St in Boulder City.
Fairs for adults are $7, $6 for seniors 65 and up and $4 for children under 12. For more information Call (702) 486-5933
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