Anaheim, California is often only known for its tourist industry, such as the Disneyland Resort and Angels Stadium, but this city is so much more than that. Founded in 1857 by 50 German families, the name “Anaheim” essentially translates to mean “Home by the Santa Ana River” in German.

Today, Anaheim is Orange County’s most populous city and the second largest in terms of land area. It stretches from Cypress on the west all the way to the Riverside County line on the east, and it neighbored by several cities such as Fullerton to the north and Orange to the south.

There are several main districts within Anaheim, and each with their own character and personality. The most well-known is of course the Anaheim Resort area. This area includes much of the tourist attractions previously mentioned, such as the Disneyland Resort, Angels Stadium – home of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, the Honda Center – home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, and the Anaheim Convention Center. 

The neighborhood called Platinum Triangle surrounds Angels Stadium and is said to be Anaheim’s up-and-coming neighborhood. This area is very urban, mainly made up of condos and apartments, which makes it less family-friendly but perfect for social, working adults.

The neighborhood of Southwest Anaheim is near this part of the city as well and has more homes than Platinum Triangle, so it is a little more family friendly, but still retains a fairly urban feel.

If you head northwest, you will reach more residential areas of Anaheim. North Anaheim is a family-friendly neighborhood comprised mostly of modest single-family homes. Though this neighborhood is mainly residential, there are still a good number of shops, restaurants, and parks.

In West Anaheim, homes start getting larger, and Anaheim Hills is where some of the wealthiest Anaheim residents live. Homes in this neighborhood are much more luxurious and tend to be very large. Styles range from Spanish to Mediterranean to Tudor and more. There is still a homey feel in the neighborhood as the majority of this area is residential.

The industrial district of Anaheim Canyon lies in between these two neighborhoods and is the second largest industrial park in Orange County.

For different style of living, head downtown to the Colony. This is the heart of Anaheim and includes three of the city’s historic districts. Homes in this area are much older than other parts of the city and include styles like Craftsman and Bungalow. This family-friendly neighborhood is also home to the Mother Colony House – the first house built in Anaheim and the city’s oldest museum, the Muzeo art and culture museum, the Anaheim Packing District, and Pearson Park and the Pearson Park Amphitheater. 

Throughout all of Anaheim one can find many public amenities. There are 84 public schools within 7 school districts, 8 public library branches, 2 golf courses, and 51 parks totaling over 600 acres. These parks include various sports fields and courts, bbq areas, and playgrounds. The largest, Yorba Regional Park, has trails that run right along the Santa Ana River and lakes complete with paddle boat rentals. Those living in Anaheim have dozens of opportunities for culture and entertainment.

Each of its areas provides unique atmospheres and opportunities to choose from. And for those wanting more, the Freeways 5, 57, and 91, easily connect Anaheim to every part of Southern California. Anaheim even has two sister cities, Mito, Japan, and Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, which only furthers its cultural connections. There is a reason why Anaheim is the largest city in Orange County, and it is not hard to see why so many people want to make this charming city their home.