Staff Picks

A unique outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment experience, Anaheim GardenWalk features stores, a luxurious bowling and entertainment center, a cocktail lounge and a movie theater – all set among gardens and waterfalls.

"The Happiest Place on Earth" is located just 1½ blocks away from Cortona Inn & Suites. Disneyland® Park features more than 60 major attractions, including shows, breathtaking parades, 3D movies, roller coasters and one of its newer attractions, Star Tours - The Adventures Continue © Disney/Lucasfilm, Ltd.

Enjoy attractions, entertainment, and dining at the seven unique lands that bring Pixar and Disney stories to life at DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE® Park.

This rock and blues-themed venue serves up Southern specialties and live music on four stages.

Tucked between the two theme parks, this outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex features dozens of shops and restaurants, as well as a monorail stop.

Designed by architect Philip Johnson in 1981, the Christ Cathedral (Crystal Cathedral) is the largest glass building in the world.

Located next to Angel Stadium, this 1,700-seat venue hosts more than 250 events annually, including live concerts, comedy shows and to touring productions.

Home of the Los Angeles Angels, this 45,000-seat stadium is the place to catch the boys of summer as they take on competing MLB teams like the Astros and the Red Sox.

A trendy outdoor mall located near the Garden Grove Freeway, The Outlets at Orange (aka The Block) is a mixture of outlet and retail stores, food and entertainment.

The Honda Center is home to the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and a top venue for concert tours and sporting events.

Located in the heart of downtown, this collection of refurbished buildings is Anaheim’s newest communal gathering place. Enjoy 20+ artisan restaurants, live music and more.

Engage and explore the diverse heritage of California via three unique traveling exhibits each year, as well as many permanent exhibits.

With 100 hands-on exhibits, this place is so much fun, kids won't realize they're learning. Play virtual volleyball, make shapes in a pin wall and fly a model airplane.

This world-class museum of cultural art contains 85,000 art objects from around the world and regularly host special exhibits.

This newly renovated mall has than 180 stores, including mainstream department stores and a variety of specialty shops and restaurants.

The stage for this pirate-themed dinner show is a 46-foot Spanish galleon floating in a 250,000-gallon indoor pool. The action includes aerial stunts, sword fighting, singing and pyrotechnics, and more than 150 guests get to take part in the show.

Enjoy a four-course feast, watch amazing sword fights and cheer for knights in authentic costume as you’re transported back to medieval times in this thrilling live-action dinner performance. The show is set in a castle just minutes from the Disneyland_® Resort Parks.

America's first theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm has 30+ rides, including thrill rides, family rides and rides for young children. It also has four great shows, including a Native American storytelling demonstration with amazing special effects, and activities such as panning for gold.

This center presents many music, dance and theater productions each year, including symphonies, world-class dance performances, Broadway shows and family-friendly programs.

The largest mall in Southern California and one of the largest in the U.S., South Coast Plaza features high-end luxury boutiques, restaurants and a collection of more affordable stores.

Featuring landmarks such as the Surfing Walk of Fame, Huntington Beach is all about surfing, with waves perfect for the sport and an entire surf culture permeating the area.

Known primarily for its lively beaches, boardwalk and piers, Newport Beach and Balboa Peninsula, a small community nestled inside Newport Harbor, features coastal cottages, quaint shops and ice cream stands. Whale-watching cruises depart year-round. Mention Cortona Inn for a $15 rate at Newport Landing Whale Watching.

This open-air mall features 200 shops, many of which can't be found anywhere else in Southern California. There are also more than 30 restaurants and several high-end department stores, including Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus.

This aquarium showcases everything from the beautiful coral reefs of the tropical Pacific to the sea otters of the North Pacific. It has more than 12,500 animals, and visitors can feed Lorikeet birds, learn about aquatic medicine and even touch sharks.

Speed Zone is a racetrack, a mini bowling alley, an arcade and a miniature golf course, all rolled into one.

This popular outlet mall is located just off the I-5 Freeway and features more than 85 stores.

This popular arts community continues to thrive, thanks to dozens of galleries, museums and well-known events such as the Festival of Arts.

Southern California is a great place to spot whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea lions and seals in their natural habitats.

Featuring more than 100 incredibly life-like replicas of past and current Hollywood actors, all made entirely from wax, the Hollywood Wax Museum is a must for movie fans.

With all-new shows, exhibits and rides, Sea World San Diego has something to please everyone. See playful sea lions, majestic killer whales and acrobatic pets and enjoy eight thrill rides.

Wander through herds of giraffe, take a jeep tour that brings you within feet of rhinos and buffalo, or come face to face with a lion in this unique, open-enclosure animal park.

This world-famous 107-acre zoo contains more than 4,000 animals representing 800 species. It is one of only a few zoos in the U.S. with giant pandas.