📖 About Anaheim

Anaheim is home to the Disneyland Resort, the original Disney theme park that opened in 1955 and has since welcomed hundreds of millions of visitors. Located in Orange County, Southern California, the city is synonymous with family entertainment and holds the title of "The Happiest Place on Earth."

Starting May 16, 2025, Disneyland Resort celebrates its 70th anniversary with a yearlong "Celebrate Happy" event spanning both parks. Expect dazzling decor including a commemorative medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle, special character costumes, and exclusive experiences running through summer 2026.

Beyond Disney, Anaheim offers Knott's Berry Farm, the Anaheim Convention Center (one of the largest on the West Coast), and professional sports with the Angels baseball and Ducks hockey teams. The free Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) makes getting around easy and cost-effective.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Tourism drives Anaheim's economy, with Disneyland Resort alone employing over 30,000 people. The Anaheim Convention Center attracts major trade shows and events year-round. The city hosts diverse industries including hospitality, sports, and increasingly, technology companies attracted by Southern California's innovation ecosystem.

Anaheim's culture blends family-friendly entertainment with growing diversity. Seasonal events like Lunar New Year (January-February) and the Food & Wine Festival (February-April) celebrate multicultural heritage. The city's downtown area features craft breweries, restaurants, and nightlife beyond the resort district. Orange County's beach lifestyle adds to the appeal.

📜 History

Anaheim was founded in 1857 by German colonists who established vineyards and named it after the Santa Ana River ("Ana") and German word for home ("heim"). The wine industry thrived until disease destroyed the vines in the 1880s, leading to citrus farming and later suburban development.

Everything changed on July 17, 1955, when Walt Disney opened Disneyland on 160 acres of former orange groves. The park revolutionized entertainment and transformed Anaheim into a global tourist destination. Since then, the resort has expanded to include Disney California Adventure (2001) and continuous additions. Today's 70th anniversary celebration honors seven decades of magic that put Anaheim on the world map.