Anaheim and Orange County, with its bevy of beaches and cool theme parks, is clearly on the radar of planners considering a West Coast locale. And a recent media visit revealed even more reasons to put the OC front-and-center in any SoCal considerations.
Organizing a large affair, perhaps with some fresh-air elements? We began our visit at the Anaheim Convention Center, where the massive National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) annual show had the scene absolutely pulsating. The real news though was the official unveiling of the Grand Plaza, a prominent promenade neighboring the convention center and adjoining Hilton and Marriott hotels. The new setting is built around three fountains and lined with towering palm trees and some orange trees as well, and offers 100,000 square feet of space for events.
Our group saw it put to full use during a Tower of Power concert that was part of the NAMM show. The classic group—known for hits such as You’re Still a Young Man—absolutely rocked a packed promenade of cheering fans, and the event really showed the promise and potential of the new plaza. The neighboring Hilton and Marriott have both undergone major upgrades as well, and the Hyatt’s lobby—formerly a rather bland setting—now boasts a snazzy bar and cool concierge area.
Among the dining options in the convention center area, Morton’s Steakhouse is a great choice. Our group enjoyed a tasty lunch in its private dining room, where we also had the chance to meet with Jay Burress, incoming Anaheim/OC CVB director. The new CVB head is not only an incredibly nice guy, but also seems to have the perfect seasoning for the job. His previous position was heading the visitors bureau in Arlington, Texas, a community that has actually followed the blueprint that has done so well for Anaheim. PageBreak
Disney’s Delights
A definite highlight of the OC visit was an evening at Disney’s California Adventure, where two major new additions were at the crux of the fun.
We started with a reception at the very appealing Carthay Circle Restaurant, set inside a stunning Art Deco palace modeled after the L.A. movie theater that played host to the 1937 premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The handsome structure—which opened last summer—serves as the iconic centerpiece of Disney California and is perhaps the most “adult” offering in the park.
A fabulous bar serves handcrafted cocktails downstairs, while the main seating area and a superb reception space await upstairs. Our gathering was hosted in the reception area, with its ample balcony overlooking the main thoroughfare, with a talented artist “cast member” creating on-request sketches of classic Disney characters.
We also headed over to Cars Land, where the main attraction is a stellar racing simulation ride—Radiator Springs Racers— that is kid-friendly but not a bad adrenaline rush for adults too. The entire new area was inspired by the 2006 animated feature Cars, and in true Disney fashion goes above and beyond in its attention to the details. Just strolling through the reimagined town of Radiator Springs is a joy, with its fantastic neon signage the highlight of the fictitious town, which looks like it was plucked straight out of the 1960s Southwest.
To wrap up the evening’s excitement, we headed to California Adventures’ Paradise Pier to take in a show that has quickly become a Disney tradition—the World of Color. The show’s rather tame name doesn’t foretell the impressive scope of the breathtaking presentation, which—among other elements—showcases 1,000 fountains, expansive projections of clips from Disney classics onto a “mist screen” and dramatic flames being shot up to 50 feet in the air. For the finale, the colors of the spectacle somehow sync with the light-up mouse ears available as part of the show, adding yet another cool touch.
Dynamic District
While Disney was its usual happy place, just as satisfying was the chance to get an up-close look at a burgeoning neighborhood that is on the cusp of becoming a thriving destination district. The Anaheim Packing District and Center Street Promenade should be on every planner’s OC radar, with its cool shops, funky eateries and growing gamut of event venues.
Our group started off with a breakfast at the Gypsy Den on Center Street, a hip little vegan cafe that personifies casual dining, with walls brimming with items that look a bit like rejects from Antiques Roadshow. Another highlight of the street is a trio of unique establishments offering shoes (Heart & Sole), hats (The Good California Haberdashery) and a combination bar and barber, the Barbeer Shop. It’s hard to picture a cooler place for a shave, haircut and beer. PageBreak
A few blocks away, the Packing District has reinvented the industry of bygone days into a short stretch of group-friendly offerings. The Old Packard building, for example, has been transformed into the handsomest burger joint (Umami Burgers) this writer has ever encountered. A particularly intriguing touch is the re-use of salvaged license plates unearthed on the property, now serving as shabby-chic wall designs and lightshades.
In the rear of the attractively revamped manse awaits the Anaheim Brewery, which aims to be a gathering place where people can actually have a good conversation. There is no TV or music in the Spartan, high-ceilinged establishment, and a pleasant patio is an ideal setting for a small to midsize affair.
Next door, a Farmers Park is in the works that will surely become a hive of community activity and group visits. It will be host to a weekly farmers market, two cafes and countless concerts and festivals. It’s slated for a summer 2013 debut, as is the 1919 Packing House next door. The building’s finalized restoration looked imminent during our tour, and it’s intended to serve as a kind of grand food hall inspired by those in South America and Europe.
Other Anaheim highlights included a stop at the Honda Center—home to the National Hockey League’s Mighty Ducks—where the buzz was building for the new Grand Terrace slated for a fall opening. The new 15,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor space will include a 250-seat public restaurant, an elegant bar and a new team store. We also had a chance to pop by the City Grove of Anaheim, which was looking nothing short of dazzling as it was all made-up for an imminent dinner affair.
Cuisine on the Coast
For our final day and evening we headed west for Orange County’s captivating coast, where a pair of fantastic dining experiences awaited.
Following some down-time in lovely Laguna Beach, we stopped by Crystal Cove, one of my favorite California settings and home to the fantastic Beachcomber restaurant. (See Editor’s Pick sidebar.) Crystal Cove itself offers a quirky mix of cool old cabins right on the beach, and its three-mile stretch of sand is unspoiled and inviting.
Then it was on to the enchanting Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, where a top-notch massage and a soak in a saline Jacuzzi added up to a superb spa visit. Before calling it a night, we were treated to a four-course feast in the hotel’s Patron room, where the stellar private setting was equal to the superb cuisine.
