Vacationers in Southern California looking to save a few dollars have plenty of options for free things to do in Anaheim. Instead of heading to Disneyland, travelers can put the top down on the convertible and cruise around the several historic architectural districts or head over to one of the many parks to enjoy the beauty of the Santa Ana Canyon.
The Oak Canyon Nature Center provides visitors a year-round wildlife preserve featuring scenic woodlands spread across 58 acres. The public nature area has four miles of trails to explore, while an on-site museum offers exhibits in natural history, including live animals. The nature center is open seven days a week and the interpretive museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as of 2010. Family and outreach programs are also available, along with group tours. Picnicking, smoking and loud music are prohibited on the nature preserve grounds to help promote conservation.
Oak Canyon Nature Center
6700 E. Walnut Canyon Rd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-998-8380
anaheim.net
Visitors can take a trip back in time on self-guided tours through one of the four historic districts in Anaheim. The Colony District is highlighted by its well-preserved Craftsman bungalow houses, providing a legacy to the architecture of the area's early 1900s settlers. The Five Points District has 38 historic structures among the many refurbished buildings in the area, while the Hoskins District, adjoined to the end of the Colony District, offers architectural buffs a look at some of the interesting homes built in the 1940s and 1950s. There are 53 structures in the district, including 43 with a qualified historic status. The area known as the Palm District is dotted with a mix of Spanish, English and French architecture. Of the 516 structures in the Palm District, 181 are considered historic.
Opened in 1976 as part of the Orange County bicentennial project, Yorba Regional Park consists of 175 acres of recreational space for outdoor enthusiasts. Throughout the year, fishing and horseback riding are popular in the park, and visitors often relax with picnics by the lake. More than 20 miles of wooded trails along the Santa Ana River are explored by hikers, while bicyclists commonly share the pedestrian trails. Families with small children enjoy the playground area and ball fields. The park opens at 7 a.m. daily, as of 2010, and there is no entrance fee.
Yorba Regional Park
7600 E. La Palma
Anaheim, CA 92807
714-973-6615
ocparks.com
