How to Enjoy a Summer in Anaheim!
From thrilling theme parks, unique decadent desserts, themed craft beer bars, sizzling steakhouse and rooftop bars perfect for watching fireworks, Anaheim is our favorite spot for a quick weekend away from San Diego! We spent the weekend in Anaheim sampling a few familiar spots and some new ones. As usual, it was a blast and we have a few recommendations for how you should enjoy your time in Anaheim.
The Rides at Knotts Berry Farm
Thrilling Theme Parks
There are so many amazing activities in Anaheim and it’s surrounding neighborhoods! Right down the road from Anaheim, Knotts Berry Farm is an amazing family friendly park, perfect for a summer day! From their new Fiesta Village that was redesigned with beautiful décor, authentic food and immersive entertainment, to the new Ghost Town Alive where guests are invited to become the star of this summer's new action-packed storyline in the streets of Ghost Town.
Knotts Berry Farm
The summer adventure continues long after the sun goes down, with a nighttime summer party that livens up the evening. Knott's Summer Nights offers exciting ways to enjoy the nighttime festivities that fills Knott’s midway. With a hub of live music, unique summer food offerings, Instagram-able photo opportunities, interactive experiences and family-friendly games, Knott’s Summer Nights is an event to remember.
Knotts Summer Nights Live Music!
We got their Flavors of Summer Tasting Card, which includes 6 tastes from 40 limited edition bites from around the park. At $55 this is a great way to try new items that feel especially “summer like” , while saving some money! One of our favorites is the Beignets with Lemon Powdered Sugar at Gourmet Churro Factory in Ghost Town. For Mexican you have to get the Beef Nachos with Avocado Crema at Nacho Booth in Mission Row and the Elote Prepardo at The Elote Booth in Mission Row.
Lemon Beignets at Ghost Town!
These limited edition food offerings are a must try for any foodie, especially for those looking to try a new activity.
Villains Themed Craft Beer Bar
Villains Brewing Interior
Did you know that there’s a villain themed brewery in Anaheim? The all-new Villains Brewing Company recently opened up in the former Modern Times location and has quickly become the new hot spot in town. For those looking for a unique, entertaining, and tasty option for lunch, dinner, or just to hang, this needs to be on your list.
Villains Brewing Patio
From their Brethren of Filth Double West Coast IPA, to their Sad Mom Seltzer - a lemon lime crusher - you will have plenty of uniquely themed drinks to choose from. Their extra-large patio with a pool (currently not open) is by far our favorite spot in town to lounge in. It has a plethora of trees, umbrellas, and tables perfect for hanging with friends while you think of what to do next in Anaheim.
Villains Brewing Patio with Food from Smoke & Fire
For food you have some options. Villains Brewing has THREE food options in their mini food hall. First, Bird Haus a scratch made, deep friend chicken spot serving up tasty double fried wings, fries, and tenders. Then, One. Dope. Pizza, a sourdough Detroit style pizza and fresh pasta spot that has creative and fun dishes like Pie Hard With A Vengeance, a pastrami, dijon bechamel sauce, and dill pickle topped pizza. We chose to check out the last spot Hotbox Burgers & BBQ, a California themed BBQ spot serving up sliced tri tip, smash burgers, and loaded brisket potato salad. We really enjoyed their brisket tacos and smoked mac n cheese, perfect for filling us up as we drank a few pints of their craft beer!
Sizzling Steakhouses, Luxury Rooms, and Ravishing Rooftops
Rooftop Bar at Parkestry at the JW Marriott Anaheim
Where to stay in Anaheim? Well, we highly recommend the luxurious JW Marriott located right in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance of Disneyland, The Garden Walk, and so much more, this centrally located hotel is our top pick. The rooms are top notch as you can expect from the Marriott’s luxury collection. Everything is clean, large, and well appointed. We love their extra oversized walk-in shower, soaking tubs, and amazing views of the park.
Comfy beds at the JW Marriott Anaheim
The modern décor, elevated pool with cabanas, and views of the park are a nice touch. What we love the most is the food and beverage at the hotel. From Tocca Ferro, their Italian themed chophouse with smoked craft cocktails, Italian wine list, and well marbled steaks, to Parkestry, the rooftop bar that has arguable the best view in town for the Disneyland nightly summer fireworks.
Interior bar at the JW Marriott Anaheim
After checking in and settling down in our room, it was time for a stunning dinner at Tocca Ferro. The dining room overlooks their rooftop garden and makes a great spot for a cocktail as we looked over the menu. Their service team recommended trying their Lobster & Leek Ravioli, that came stuffed with ricotta cheese, adorned with a healthy amount of lobster claws, and then topped with Meyer Lemon Zest, Blistered Tomatoes, English Peas, Beurre Monte, Sweet Basil Oil, and Parmigiano Reggiano.
After enjoying a glass of Super Tuscan from their surprisingly extensive wine list, the entrees come. A 14oz Prime NY Strip Loin is brought out as a great show, smoked with applewood, and covered with a glass cloche, it is ceremoniously unveiled tableside enveloping the table with a slightly sweet meat smoke! The steak is cooked perfectly, medium rare, and much to my surprise the smoke adds a nice complex note! The sauces are my favorite so I ordered a few: Brandy Gorgonzola Cream Sauce, Super Tusan Demi Glace, and Blood Orange & Balsamic Glaze. As I enjoyed my steak, Ashley remarks that her choice is incredible and I NEED to taste it! As our resident pasta expert, Ashley has ordered the Fettuccini Al Tartufo with truffle butter, asparagus ribbons, grana padano, and black truffle. The pasta is hand cut here and has that subtle bite you get with fresh pasta. The dish has a simple complexity, but good cheese and truffles are so darn good together. It’s hard to not love this one.
Delicous food from Tocca Ferro at the JW Marriott Anaheim
Now it’s time to get freshened up after dinner and head over for your reservation at Parkestry, The JW Marriott’s rooftop bar. With daily fireworks from Disneyland, every night at 9:30pm, you need to make your reservation for 8:30 or 9pm so you can have time to get a drink and settle in. With a solid wine and cocktail list, small bites, fire pits, and even live music -- this is a great rooftop bar, perfect for ending your night in Anaheim!
Unique Desserts
Exterior of House of Chimney Cakes
Anaheim has some of the coolest and most unique desserts in town and we found a real gem in the heart of Anaheim! House of Chimney Cakes is located on Center St. Promenade in Downtown Anaheim. It’s a couple blocks north of the famed Anaheim Packing House, another must visit spot! Here they are crafting Kürtőskalács, the official dessert of Hungary. For those not familiar, imagine a blend of churro, waffle cone, and donut!
Press for House of Chimney Cakes
The sweet dough is wrapped over a wooden cone before being baked slowly to allow the sugars to caramelize! After a quick rest to cool, they are topped, rolled and garnished with a plethora of toppings such as fruity pebbles, Oreos, cinnamon sugar, espresso powder, matcha, and so much more! Then filled with ice cream and garnished with outrageous toppings, these over-the-top unique desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious!
The Everyday Birthday Cake at House of Chimney Cakes
We stopped by to sample a few and got the Everyday Birthday Cake -- a stunning pink cone topped with fruity pebbles, strawberry dole whip soft serve, and a whole mini cupcake that even had a candle!
The Mouse at The House of Chimney Cakes
Since we were in Anaheim we felt like we had to get a Disneyland themed one! The Mouse is an Oreo crusted chimney cake with vanilla bean soft serve, mickey shaped sprinkles, and Oreo ears -- talk about a cute dessert!