Attractions in Orange County

Knott's Soak City USA
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park
The park is a 10-minute ride north on I-5 from Disneyland. From I-5 or Calif. 91, exit south onto Beach Boulevard. The park is about half a mile south of Calif. 91. Open May through September. Orange County's wildest water adventure park! Thirteen water-logged acres packed with 21 of the most intense water rides, all themed to the surf woodies and longboards of the 1950s Southern California coast.

Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park. The park is a 10-minute ride north on I-5 from Disneyland. From I-5 or Calif. 91, exit south onto Beach Boulevard. About 1/2 mile south of Calif. 91. Knott's Berry Farm's hours vary both during the week and week to week, so call ahead. The park is usually open during the summer daily from 9am to midnight.. Special hours and prices are in effect during Knott's Scary Farm in late October (a hugely popular event). Stage shows and special activities are scheduled throughout the day. Pick up a schedule at the ticket booth. This park focuses on newer and faster thrill rides that target Southern California youths and families instead. With 165 fast-paced amusement rides, shows and attractions. Enjoy Wild West stunt shows, thrilling roller coaster rides, and the children's favorite: Camp Snoopy.

The Motts Miniatures Museum & Dollhouse Shop
7900 La Palma Ave.
Buena Park
Just up the street from Knott's Berry Farm. The museum showcases the History of America in miniature from the Pilgrims to modern times. Some exhibits are so small that they must be viewed under magnifying glasses. There are dressed fleas, rice carvings, 350 hand-carved ivory elephants in a bean shell, portraits of U.S. Presidents on the heads of pins, the world's smallest folding pocket knife, and more.

Richard Nixon Library
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm
This presidential library, located in Nixon's boyhood town, celebrates the roots, life, and legacy of America's 37th President. The 9-acre site contains the modest farmhouse where Nixon was born, manicured flower gardens, a modern museum housing presidential archives, and the final resting place of Mr. Nixon and his wife, Pat.

Anaheim Indoor Market
1440 S. Anaheim Blvd. The marketplace, Orange County's largest indoor swap meet, has more than 200 stores selling merchandise at 50 percent to 70 percent below retail price. It is open six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed on Tuesdays. The marketplace has a food court, and shoppers can enjoy mariachi music, 3-5 p.m. Saturdays, and live concerts, 1-4 p.m. Sundays.  Believe it or not, you can also watch professional wrestling in the marketplace's back lot arena, 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Call: (714) 999-0888.

Anaheim Museum
241 S. Anaheim Blvd.
10 a.m.-4 Wednesday-Friday; noon-4 Saturday, and by appointment Sunday-Tuesday. The Anaheim Museum houses a combination of history, culture, and art in its 1908 building. Children can visit the Communications Room for interactive activities. The Anaheim Room has displays of pictures and tools essential to Anaheim's settlers.

The Farmers Market and Crafts Fair, at Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street. Every Thursday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Farmers Market features more than 60 vendors selling fruit, vegetables, baked goods, flowers and craftwork.

Hobby City
1238 S. Beach Blvd.
Families can enjoy 10 acres of hobby, craft and collector shops. A half-scale replica of the White House offers rare dolls and toys. Hobby City also has a theme park called Adventure City, where children can enjoy rides, face painting and puppet shows.

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
(Los Angeles County)
(This internationally renowned aquarium creatively examines the treasures of the Pacific Ocean, the planet's largest, most diverse body of water. The Aquarium of the Pacific explores three regions of the Pacific Ocean: the Southern California/Baja Pacific, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific. The aquarium features futuristic design and technology.

Discovery Science Center
This 59,000-square-foot facility is filled with fun, hands-on exhibits for children and adults. Visitors can experience an earthquake in the "Shake Shack," lie on a bed of 3,500 nails, walk through a tornado, engage in live science demonstrations, watch a 3-D laser show and more.

Crystal Cathedral
The Crystal Cathedral is situated in Garden Grove less than two miles from Disneyland. Located at the southwest corner of Chapman Avenue and Lewis Street between Harbor Boulevard and The City Drive.

Guided tours every half-hour, Monday through Saturday, from 9 -3:30. Sunday church services are at: 9:30 AM and 11 AM, plus an Hispanic (Spanish-speaking) service at 12:45 PM, and an evening (English-speaking) service at 6:30 PM.

Each year, the Crystal Cathedral presents two major pageants: The Glory of Christmas. (in December), and The Glory of Easter (in March). These feature a cast of 200 in Biblical period costumes, a choir, angels, live animals, and joyous music from a 70-piece orchestra.

The largest glass building in the world, the Cathedral was built by the Rev. Robert Schuller. Schuller started out in 1955, as pastor of California's first "drive-in" church, in Garden Grove. It was originally located in a drive-in movie theatre, and Rev. Schuller preached from the roof of the concession stand. After his radio broadcasting success, Rev. Schuller opened the Crystal Cathedral in 1980.

Universal Studios
Located in Universal City, Hollywood, about a 40 minute drive northwest of Anaheim
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City
Hours fluctuate seasonally. Open everyday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Universal Studios Hollywood, the world's largest movie studio and theme park, allows guests an exhilarating opportunity to experience a genuine working movie studio through their thrill rides, one-of-a-kind attractions and live shows based on movies actually filmed at its fully functioning movie studio.

Themed rides and shows propel the visitor into the exciting worlds of their favorite movies. Among these are the new rock n' roll Spider-Man Rocks,