Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [191]
If you’re heading to Disneyland or the Orange County beaches, you can avoid the always-busy Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by flying into the easily navigated John Wayne Airport (SNA; 949-252-5200; www.ocair.com; 18601 Airport Way) in Santa Ana. If you want restaurants and duty-free shopping, stick to LAX, but for get-in, get-out domestic travel, SNA is ideal. The airport is 8 miles inland from Newport Beach, via Hwy 55, near the junction of I-405 (San Diego Fwy).
Long Beach Airport (LGB; 562-570-2600; www.longbeach.gov/airport; 4100 Donald Douglas Dr), just across the northern county line, is a handy alternative.
Click here for details of the Disneyland Resort Express Airport Bus from LAX to Disneyland.
Bus
If you want to get around by public transportation, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA; 714-636-7433; www.octa.net; info line 5am-10pm Mon-Fri, 7am-7pm Sat & Sun) operates a fleet of buses serving towns and destinations throughout the county. The fare is $1.25 per ride or $3 for a day pass. Both types of tickets are sold onboard and you’ll need exact change. Look for maps at train stations and online.
Car
The easiest way to get around is by car but avoid driving on the freeways during morning and afternoon rush hours (7am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm).
Train
Fullerton, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano are all on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train route Click here. These cities, plus the City of Orange, are also linked by Metrolink ( 800-371-5465; www.metrolinktrains.com) commuter trains, which come from Downtown LA.
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ORANGE COUNTY IN TWO DAYS
If you’re saving Disneyland for another day, spend two days at the beach.
Day one, start in Seal Beach with a breakfast burrito at Nick’s Deli. Drive south to Huntington City Beach to soak in the beach rays and watch the surfers. Grab lunch downtown then wander the shops or rent a bike or surfboard and savor a full-blown beach day. Sip cocktails at Duke’s, then double back and enjoy top-notch seafood at Walt’s Wharf in Seal Beach or hearty Italian at Roman Cucina in Sunset Beach.
Day two, stop by Huntington Beach’s Sugar Shack for breakfast then continue south to Newport Beach, driving to the end of Balboa Peninsula to watch daredevils boogie-boarding the Wedge. If it’s a lazy day, ride the ferry to Balboa Island. Shoppers will want to head directly to Newport Beach’s outdoor Fashion Island or Costa Mesa’s sprawling South Coast Plaza. Later, stop by Ruby’s Crystal Cove Shake Shack for an afternoon shake and gorgeous ocean views. The art- and outdoor-minded should drive south to Laguna for an art stroll, seaside hike or mountain-bike ride. For dinner in Laguna, eat out-of-this-world rolls at 242 Café Fusion Sushi or scrumptious noodle dishes at tiny Thai Brothers.
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DISNEYLAND & ANAHEIM
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Mickey is one lucky mouse. Created by animator Walt Disney in 1928, this irrepressible rodent caught a ride on a multimedia juggernaut (film, TV, publishing, music, merchandising and theme parks) that rocketed him into a global stratosphere of recognition, money and influence. Plus, he lives in the Happiest Place on Earth, a slice of ‘imagineered’ hyper-reality where the streets are always clean, the employees – called cast members – are always upbeat and there’s a parade every day of the year. It would be easy to hate the guy, but since opening his Disneyland home in 1955, he’s been a pretty thoughtful host to millions of guests.
There are a few potholes on Main St – every ride seems to end in a gift store, prices are high and there are grumblings that management could do more to ensure affordable housing for employees – but even the most determined grouch should find something to warrant a grin, if nothing more than the beaming face of one breathless kiddy enjoying a magical day.
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HISTORY
In the 1990s Anaheim,