Disneyland. This famous amusement park is why most people travel to Anaheim, to see the happiest place on earth, go on the rides, and see favorite film and TV characters. But there’s more to Anaheim than just this theme park. It also contains several sports stadiums that are home to popular teams and Disneyland California Adventure Park.
Located in Orange County in California, the areas around Anaheim are usually forgotten by tourists. So, you might have trouble finding the best places to stay in Anaheim if you don’t want to stay close to the park. This Anaheim neighborhood guide will help with that. It will help you find somewhere to stay that’s close to the places you most want to see and go to.
Road tripping through California and stopping over in Anaheim? Great choice – now you just need to sort your accommodation, Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Anaheim.
Eden Roc Inn & Suites | Best Hotel in Anaheim
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Anaheim on a budget, then this is a good choice. It’s right next door to Disneyland and offers comfort and convenience at a bargain price. The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, tour desk, baby sitting services and rooms with kitchenettes and private bathrooms. This is our top recommendation for all the backpackers in California!
Anaheim Marriott | Best Luxury Hotel in Anaheim
This hotel in Anaheim is perfect if you have a little extra money and want to be close to everything. It was renovated in 2004 and now includes an outdoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, a gym, sun deck, and valet parking. The rooms include a private bathroom with a spa bath and there’s a restaurant and bar on site. It’s also within walking distance of Disney land and the Convention Center.
Private Room in Townhouse | Best Airbnb in Anaheim
This townhouse is one of the best places in Anaheim to stay if you want to be close to Disneyland. It’s only five minutes from the famous amusement park and offers a private bedroom in a bright, modern apartment with all the usual amenities.
Anaheim Resort
Anaheim resort is one of the largest neighborhoods in the city. It’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in anaheim for one night as it’s close to all the most popular attractions in the city.
Southwest Anaheim
Southwest anaheim is the best neighborhood in anaheim to stay in if you want to be close to the Disneyland area but far enough away to avoid the tourists.
Platinum Triangle
If you want to stay away from the amusement parks and the bulk of the tourists, then this is the best neighborhood to stay in anaheim. It’s an up and coming area that contains the angel stadium, where you can watch the city’s sports teams go head to head.
Because of Disneyland, most of the neighborhoods in Anaheim are set up for travelers and tourists. This isn’t a large city, but it is densely populated as well as popular, so you can expect crowds wherever you go.
As part of this Anaheim neighborhood guide, we’ve tried to include areas that should be a little quieter as well as some choices that are right in the middle of all the action. So, no matter how you prefer to travel, you should be able to find a neighborhood that suits your tastes.
Obviously, if you want to be close to Disneyland then you’ll probably want to stay in the Anaheim resort area. This area offers the widest range of the coolest places to stay in Anaheim as well as lots of shopping and nightlife options.
If you’d prefer a quieter and slightly cheaper area, then try Southwest Anaheim. This area is mostly residential but is still well connected to Disneyland and other popular landmarks. This is where you’ll find more budget friendly Anaheim accommodation.
If you’re looking for an up and coming area away from the main tourist drag, then try the Platinum Triangle. This is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim for families as it offers a great mix of activities and lifestyle.
Want to save money on accommodation?
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
We got you. For reals.
Anaheim’s 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
If you’re looking for a hotel or hostel in Anaheim, then there’s where to start your search.
#1 Anaheim Resort – Where to Stay in Anaheim First Time
Anaheim Resort is one of the largest neighborhoods in the city. It’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim for one night as it’s close to all the most popular attractions in the city. This is where you’ll find the Disneyland theme parks as well as Disneyland Resort. So, if you want to visit the happiest places on earth, then you need to stay in this area!
This part of the city gets a lot of tourists, particularly in the peak season. So, you’ll find a huge range of Anaheim accommodation options close to the park and other attractions. The neighborhood is well set up for visitors too, with lots of restaurants, shopping centers, and activity centers to suit every age and taste.
7 Mins to Disneyland | Best Airbnb in Anaheim Resort
This home can hold up to 5 guests, which makes it one of the coolest places to stay in Anaheim if you’re traveling with friends or family. It offers a fully furnished bedroom, full bathroom, small kitchen, and living area. And it’s close to local shops and restaurants for easy access to food and entertainment.
Residence Inn by Marriott | Best Hotel in Anaheim Resort
This hotel is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim with kids. It offers a kids’ pool and lots of recreational facilities to keep every member of your family happy. It’s also close to Disney land and has an indoor pool and comfortable, fully equipped rooms.
Disneyland Hotel | Best Luxury Hotel in Anaheim Resort
This hotel in Anaheim provides a sauna, Jacuzzi, outdoor pool, terrace, kids’ club and pool and spa. There’s also a wellness center on site, so you can have a relaxing massage while the kids are being entertained. This is also a great choice if you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim for nightlife as the hotel is a short walk from the area’s hottest nightlife district.
Things to See and Do in Anaheim Resort:
- Check out the local eateries.
- Grab your friends and head out for a night at trendy local bars.
- Head down to the Anaheim Garden Walk complex for live music, games, and bowling.
- Spend at least a day at Disneyland.
- Try some of the elegant local restaurants like 21 Royal or Napa Rose.
- Get your adrenalin up at the Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI#2 Southwest Anaheim – Where to Stay in Anaheim on a Budget
Southwest Anaheim is the best neighborhood in Anaheim to stay in if you want to be close to the Disneyland area but far enough away to avoid the tourists. This part of the city is part of what’s known as ‘Anaheim Island’ and it’s a mostly residential area where you’ll get the chance to live and look like a local during your stay.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll get bored when you stay in this area. It’s close enough to Disneyland that tourist shops and restaurants have sprung up all over the place. So, you definitely won’t run out of places to eat and things to do while you’re in the area. This is one of Anaheim’s best neighborhoods for events, so make sure you check out what’s on while you’re in the city.
Private Room | Best Airbnb in Southwest Anaheim
This quiet room is one of the best places to stay in Anaheim if you’re traveling on a budget. It offers proximity to local attractions as well as a comfortably decorated room and private bathroom at a very reasonable price. There are several local restaurants nearby as well as a shopping center where you can grab essentials.
Best Budget Inn Anaheim | Best Hotel in Southwest Anaheim
This hotel is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim on a budget. It offers clean, basic rooms with private bathrooms and fridges close to Knotts Berry Farm. It’s also within a short drive from Disneyland and other local attractions.
Days Inn by Wyndham Anaheim Near the Park | Best Luxury Hotel in Southwest Anaheim
This hotel is close to the local attractions and includes an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, and a kids’ pool. This makes it a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Anaheim for families. The rooms are comfortable and include a small kitchenette and the hotel serves a delicious continental breakfast every morning.
Things to See and Do in Southwest Anaheim:
- Of course, you absolutely must spend at least a day at Disneyland.
- Visit Knott’s Berry Farm for roller coasters and other attractions the whole family will love.
- Look for local events during your stay and make sure you show up to have some fun!
- Try the local restaurants like India Table or Mi Casa Mexicana.
- Get out of the heat at the local water park, Soak City.
- Enjoy some drama with your dinner at the Medieval Times Dinner Theater.
#3 Platinum Triangle – Best Neighborhood in Anaheim for Families
If you want to stay away from the amusement parks and the bulk of the tourists, then this is the best neighborhood to stay in Anaheim. It’s an up and coming area that contains the Angel Stadium, where you can watch the city’s sports teams go head to head. There aren’t as many hotels in this area, but you still shouldn’t have any trouble finding somewhere to stay that suits your budget.
This part of the city is more residential than the area close to Disneyland. It’s a trendy area for young professionals, who flock to the local bars and breweries, and you’ll also find several interesting cultural attractions as well. And if you still want to go to Disneyland even if you don’t want to stay near it, you’ll be able to. The Platinum Triangle has good transport connections to the rest of the city, so you can explore at your leisure.
TownePlace Suites Anaheim Maingate Near Angel Stadium | Best Hotel in the Platinum Triangle
This hotel is in the best area in Anaheim to stay in if you want to be close to everything. It’s close to Angel Stadium and has babysitting services, a BBQ area, a shopping mall, and hair salon on site. The rooms are fully equipped and charmingly decorated and include a small kitchenette and movies-on-demand.
Ayres Hotel Anaheim | Best Luxury Hotel in the Platinum Triangle
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Anaheim for your first time, this is a good choice. It’s close to the train station for easy access everywhere and the hotel include an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and luxurious rooms with fridges and private bathrooms. There’s also a restaurant and bar on site for a quick drink or meal at the end of a long day.
2 Bedroom Apartment | Best Airbnb in the Platinum Triangle
This apartment is in one of the best areas to stay in Anaheim for a more local experience. It’s close to local attractions, shopping centers, and beaches and offers spacious rooms with modern furnishings. There’s enough space for up to 6 guests and the rooms are bright and welcoming.
Things to See and Do in Platinum Triangle:
- See a game at the famous Angel Stadium.
- Check out what’s on at the Honda Center Arena.
- Take a walk, jog, or ride your bike along the Santa Ana River Trail.
- Try some of the local trendy breweries or bars like the Calivino Wine Pub, the Catch, or Zov’s.
- Check out what’s on at The City National Grove of Anaheim for comedy acts, rock bands, and musicals.
- Go picnicking, hiking, or just sit by the lake at the Yorba Regional Park.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Anaheim
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Anaheim and where to stay.
What To Pack For Anaheim
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Anaheim
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Anaheim
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Anaheim with kids, then the obvious choice is close to Disneyland. But if you’re looking to explore some other parts of the city, then try the neighborhoods that are a little further away from this busy center. Otherwise, you might find yourself contending with the lines at Disneyland every time you head into a restaurant, shop, or bar. And nobody wants a holiday like that!
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around California.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in USA.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in California instead.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in USA to plan your trip.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for USA.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
