1. No, Everyone From Anaheim Doesn’t Hang Out At Disneyland All The Time
But everyone knows someone who works there. Buying tickets to Disneyland is like buying a ticket to the movies. Plus, most Anaheim residents try to avoid extra tourist interactions when they can.
2. But Downtown Disney Is Kind Of Magical At Night
It’s a great place to people watch, stop in some overpriced stores, and maybe even grab a fancier meal. Plus, unlike Disneyland, it’s free.
3. Umami Burger Makes The Kind Of Burgers You Eat With Your Pinky Up
These burgers are not drive-thru fare. This is the kind of place you go when you want to pair your truffle burger with a house pickle plate and an IPA rather than limp fries.
Basically, if the Queen of England wanted a burger, she’d fly to Anaheim with her corgis and go to Umami Burger.
4. Anaheim Brewery Is The Best Place To Grab A Beer After Your Fancy Burger
Conveniently located a few steps from Umami Burger, Anaheim Brewery, first opened in 1870, is the perfect place to grab drinks after dinner.
5. You Learn To Stop Jumping At The Sound Of Fireworks
Nope, it’s not gunshots. It’s just Disney fireworks again. Go back to sleep. You’ll learn to tell the difference eventually.
6. The Mighty Ducks Are Not Just A Feel Good Movie
Disney seriously upped its franchising game with this one. The Anaheim Ducks, formerly The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, are card carrying NHL members. Disney founded the team.
7. Every Distant Relative With Kids Asks To Stay At An Anaheim Local’s Place
If you live in Anaheim, expect a call from every distant relative you’ve ever spoken to asking if they can stay at your apartment so they can take their kids to Disneyland. Sometimes living so close to the action has its downsides.
8. Yorba Regional Park Is The Perfect Oasis For Nature Lovers
Strolling along the Santa Ana River through Yorba Regional Park is a great way to escape all the chaos (read: tourists) and just enjoy the natural beauty of Anaheim.
9. Punjabi Tandoor Makes The Greatest Comfort Food On Earth
Nothing beats the blues on a cloudy day better than spicy Rogan Josh and hot, fresh naan. You also can’t find a better cure for the common cold or a cure to the common meal.
10. The Packing District Is Where You Take Picky Eaters
You know how mall food courts were the best thing ever as a kid because you could get McDonalds fries and egg rolls and a burrito for lunch? The Packing District is like a mall food court for people with adult taste buds.
11. Everyone From Anaheim Has A Gwen Stefani Sighting Story
Folks from Anaheim may not get to brag as much about celebrity sightings as people from Los Angeles, but No Doubt started in Anaheim, and frontwoman Gwen Stefani comes back to her roots occasionally.
12. Catching An Angels Game At Angel Stadium Isn’t Just About Baseball—It’s About History
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is 4th oldest ballpark in the country, and home to The Los Angeles Angels baseball team. Take in the American pastime and a little American sports history with it.
15. The Santa Ana Winds Are A Far Cry From A Cool Breeze
On a hot summer day, nothing sounds more refreshing than a nice strong wind. But the Santa Ana winds are far from refreshing, unless you consider heat waves and a lot of blown up dust refreshing.
14. Beyond The Grind Is The Perfect Place To Get A Jolt
This local coffee shop even sells whole bean coffee you make at home if going out for a cup a day isn’t in your budget, but it’s nice to enjoy the atmosphere every once and awhile.
15. Getting Lost In The Anaheim Convention Center Is A Right Of Passage
With 1.6 million square feet to get lost in, don’t feel bad if you find yourself hopelessly wandering for awhile. If you keep one hand on the wall and keep walking you should find your way out eventually.
16. Farmers Park Market Is A Locavore’s Heaven
Located in Downtown Anaheim at the Packing District, Farmers Park Market is the perfect place to stock up on fresh local foods. Plus, after you shop you can catch a live musical act in the park every week.
17. There’s A Reason Locals Call It Disneyheim
Sometimes Disney can be an overwhelming presence. You start seeing Mickey Mouse everywhere you go. You can’t escape his ears, staring at you from billboards like the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg. Such is life in Anaheim.
18. But Fantasmic! Is Totally Worth Seeing Before You’re Disney-ed Out
If you’re in from out-of-town, you should see the show that even locals won’t miss. It’s ridiculous and flashy, but totally awesome.
19. There’s Going To A Movie, Then There’s Going To A Movie In Style
UltraLuxe totally lives up to its name. This isn’t a cramped seats and popcorn kind of movie theater. You can get popcorn—but it’s gourmet popcorn. Plus, you can order a Panini and a glass of beer to go with it.
20. The Best Orange County Bands Play At Chain Reaction
This laid back venue is the place to go to see the best local bands, and you don’t have to be a certain age to enjoy awesome music. Chain Reaction is an all ages venue.
21. You’ll Spend Half Your Day In Traffic During Tourism Season
People from Anaheim curse the tourists every summer when you’re trying to drive to work behind five billion rental minivans. Then, once they’re at work, they smile at and help the tourists.
22. But The Love/Hate Relationship With Out-Of-Towners Leans Toward Love
One of the coolest things about living so close to such a major tourist destination is that the people of Anaheim get to meet people from all over the world. It makes for some interesting stories.
23. MUZEO Lets You Get In Touch With Your Artsy Side
MUZEO is a smaller art museum that hosts three traveling exhibitions per year. Their rotating exhibitions mean there’s always something new to see when you get an artistic itch.
24. You Can Fulfill Your Childhood Dreams Of Flying Planes
Flightdeck Air Combat Center offers visitors the chance to participate in realistic flight simulations, so you can fulfill your fantasy of becoming a pilot without doing all the hard work.
25. Adventure City Is Just The Tiny Off Brand Disney
Let’s be honest for a second. Adventure City is not a first choice amusement park. But it is way cheaper than Disneyland, and if your kids are young enough you can probably just lie to them and they’ll never know the difference. At $17 a person, it’s still a steal.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Anaheim? Tell us in the comments below! 
