Attractions

Universal Studios Hollywood

Legoland California

Disneyland (both parks)

Knott's

Medieval Times

Dana Wharf Sportfishing

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Entertainment

The Grove of Anaheim is at 2200 E. Katella Ave. Concerts are a regular feature of this 700-seat venue. Call: (714) 712-2700

COMMUNITY ARTS

The Anaheim Ballet , a local company, offers dance classes, including hip hop, jazz and ballet at its downtown facility, 280 E. Lincoln Ave. Call: (714) 520-0904.

The Ana-Modjeska Players are always a strong bet for good community theater. They put on shows throughout the year. Actors are always wanted for upcoming shows Call (714) 991-4135 or e-mail Gail at gjstrach@aol.com for more information.

The Insurgo Theater Movement , 4883 E La Palma, Suite 506. Bold and stunning theatrical productions in a unique and intimate setting (less than 100 seats). Insurgo has earned critical acclaim for its vision, high-caliber acting, brutal stage combat sequences, and sheer scope of production.
Call: (714) 517-7798

SHOPPING

Anaheim Plaza
501 N. Euclid St., Anaheim; near Loara Street
Phone: (714) 635-3431
Hours: Vary by store
Stores: Wal-Mart, Mervyn's, Ross Dress for Less, CompUSA, Orchard Supply Warehouse, Office Max
Parking: Free lot parking

Arden

The canyon is named for Helena Modjeska, a famed Polish actress who emigrated to what was an extremely remote area in the late 1800s. After a failed attempt at communal farm living with a group of fellow Polish emigrés -- none of whom had any agricultural experience -- she went back to the stage and became one of the most acclaimed actresses in America in the 1880s and '90s. Arden, the Stanford White-designed home she occupied at the end of her life, still stands; you can see it on tours given by the Heritage Hill Historical Park with an advance reservation.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve beckons wildlife-lovers and bird-watchers with an 1,180-acre salt marsh that is home to 315 species of birds, including great blue herons, snowy and great egrets, and common loons. Throughout the reserve are trails for bird-watching, including a comfortable 1½-mi loop. Free guided tours depart from the walking bridge the first Saturday of each month at 9 AM. Free. Daily dawn-sunset.

Casino

On the northwest point of Avalon Bay (looking to your right from Green Pleasure Pier) is the majestic landmark Casino. This circular white structure is considered one of the finest examples of art deco architecture anywhere. Its Spanish-inspired floors and murals gleam with brilliant blue and green Catalina tiles. is the Italian word for "gathering place" and in this case has nothing to do with gambling. Rather, Casino life revolves around the magnificent ballroom: the same big-band dances that made the Casino famous in the 1930s and '40s still take place on holiday weekends. The (310/510-1520) is hugely popular and sells out well in advance. Santa Catalina Island Company leads tours of the Casino, lasting about 55 minutes, for $9. You can also visit the in the lower level of the Casino, which investigates 7,000 years of island history; or stop at the to see works by local artists. First-run movies are screened on weekends at the noteworthy for its classic 1929 theater pipe organ. Museum $2.50, art gallery free. Museum: Apr.-Dec., daily 10-4; Jan.-Mar, Fri.-Wed. 10-4. Art gallery: mid-Mar.-Dec., daily 10:30-4; Jan.-mid-Mar, Tues. and Thurs.-Sun. 10:30-4.

Cook's Corner

Continue on Santiago and you may see a gleam of chrome where Live Oak Canyon Road forks off to the left -- the shine from rows of motorcycles parked in front of Cook's Corner, a gritty, decades-old roadhouse. Kick back with a beer or a burger in the dark bar or out on the patio -- it's a friendly, no-fuss place, a favorite with "weekend warrior" bikers. Soak it up while you can; encroaching development is threatening this classic canyon spot.

Corona del Mar Beach

Corona del Mar Beach is actually made up of two beaches, Little Corona and Big Corona, separated by a cliff. Facilities include fire pits, volleyball courts, food stands, rest rooms, and parking. Two colorful reefs (and the fact that it's off-limits to boats) make Corona del Mar great for snorkelers and for beachcombers who prefer privacy.

Crystal Cathedral

In Garden Grove the main attraction is the Crystal Cathedral, the domain of television evangelist Robert "Hour of Power" Schuller. Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the sparkling glass structure resembles a four-pointed star, with more than 10,000 panes of glass covering a web-like steel truss to form transparent walls. Two annual pageants, "The Glory of Christmas" and "The Glory of Easter," feature live animals, flying angels, and other special effects. www.crystalcathedral.org. Tickets for the pageants $17-$35. Guided tours Mon.-Sat. 9-3:30; call for schedule. Sun. services at 9:30, 11, and 6.

Crystal Cove State Park

Midway between Corona del Mar and Laguna, stretching along both sides of Pacific Coast Highway, Crystal Cove State Park is a favorite of local beachgoers and wilderness trekkers. It encompasses a 3½-mi stretch of unspoiled beach and has some of the best tide-pooling in Southern California. Here you can see starfish, crabs, and other sea life on the rocks. The park's 2,400 acres of backcountry are ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, but stay on the trails to preserve the beauty. Docents lead nature walks on most weekend mornings. Parking costs $3. www.crystalcovestatepark.com.

Dana Point Harbor

Dana Point Harbor was first described more than 100 years ago by its namesake, Richard Henry Dana, in his book At the marina are docks for small boats, marine-oriented shops, and some restaurants. www.danapointharbor.com.

Disney's California Adventure

The 55-acre Disney's California Adventure, which sprawls out right next to Disneyland (their entrances face each other), pays tribute to the Golden State with four theme areas. re-creates the glory days of California's seaside piers. If you're looking for thrills, the California Screamin' roller coaster takes its riders from 0 to 55 mph in about four seconds and proceeds through scream tunnels, steeply angled drops, and a 360° loop. The Sun Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel, provides a good view of the grounds at a more leisurely pace.

At the you can indulge in an "I want to be in pictures" moment. is a replica of the set where the popular game show is filmed, and where you can play for prizes. Disney Animation gives you an insider's look at the animation and how some of the characters were created. The Hyperion theater hosts a 45-minute live performance with terrific visual effects. Plan on getting in line about an hour in advance, but the show is well worth the wait.

inspired by the film skews its attractions to an insect's point of view. Kids can cool off (or get soaked) in the water jets and giant garden hose of Princess Dot Puddle Park, or hit the pill bug-shaped bumper cars. The short show gives you a 3-D look at insect life.

Disneyland

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about Disneyland is that they've "been there, done that" if they've visited either the more mammoth Disney World or one of the two Disney parks overseas. But Disneyland, the only one of the four kingdoms overseen by Walt himself, has a genuine historic feel and occupies a unique place in the Disney legend. There's plenty here that you won't find anywhere else: for example, Storybook Land, with its miniature replicas of animated Disney scenes from classics such as and ; the Pirates of the Caribbean ride; the Indiana Jones Adventure ride; and the Rocket Rods speed ride.

To give you an idea of Disneyland's geography, there are eight themed lands that comprise more than 60 major rides, 50 shops, and 30 restaurants. You enter the park through a re-created 19th-century railroad station, which opens onto Walt's hometown of Marceline, Missouri, was the inspiration behind this romanticized image of small-town America, circa 1900. Trolleys, double-decker buses, and horse-drawn wagons travel up and down the scaled-down thoroughfare, and the sidewalks are lined with rows of shops selling everything from crystal ware to sports memorabilia to photo supplies. If you want to save some of the walking for later, board the Disneyland Railroad at the park entrance; it tours all the lands.

Directly across from Main Street, Sleeping Beauty's Castle marks the entrance to where you can fly on Peter Pan's Flight, take an aerial spin with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, bobsled through the Matterhorn, and float through It's a Small World (whose theme song tends to get stuck in your head). The steamboat and the sailing ship both set sail from Here also, you can raft to Tom Sawyer Island for an hour or so of climbing and exploring.

Anaheim Beaches

Huntington Beach - Stretching more than eight miles, Huntington Beach is the biggest in Orange County. It faces southwest, offering great surfing waves year round. Huntington Beach has the longest concrete pier on the California coast (1,852 feet), numerous volleyball courts and a bike path that's ideal for roller-blading and jogging. It also has fire pits for cookouts, concession stands, surf equipment, bike and roller blade rentals. Within walking distance of the pier, you'll find great eateries and some of the best surf shops in the country.

Newport Beach - One of Southern California's most beautiful beach destinations, Newport Beach is located approximately 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Current population is approximately 70,000. The land mass is nearly 14 square miles and there are nearly 22 square miles of Ocean and Bay area. The fishing, surfing (one of the first surf contests in California, the Pacific Coast Surf riding championship tournament, was held in here in 1928) and beaches around Newport Beach are some of the finest in California.

Laguna Beach - Laguna Beach is Southern California's premier seaside artist haven. Mansions and quaint cottages amidst subtropical gardens line bluffs above sandy coves along a seven mile scenic coastline. Inland, luxuriant foliage and seaview homes cover lower canyons and ridges of hills that rise more than 1,000 feet above the ocean. Developed as a resort city more than a century ago, artists began arriving soon afterwards and enjoy almost year-round, picture-perfect weather. Enjoy the many superb Laguna Beach restaurants, art galleries and hotels, many with breathtaking sunset views .