Could I use Anaheim as a base?

Question

Traveling to Disneyland end of summer. Want to see some tourist things in Hollywood/Santa Monica. Are day trips from Anaheim a pain? Should I move closer to Hollywood? I just hate having to change hotels during a trip but I also do not want to be stuck in the car all day either.

Answer

Using Anaheim as a base for a Disneyland-focused trip is very common and convenient, especially if the main goal of your visit is the parks themselves. The area has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and services catering to visitors, which makes it easy to stay in one place for the entire trip without needing to switch hotels.

However, if you want to take day trips to Hollywood, Santa Monica, or other Los Angeles attractions, there are some important factors to consider:

Distance and driving time: Anaheim to Hollywood is about 30 miles, and to Santa Monica roughly 40 miles. Depending on traffic, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each way. During rush hours (roughly 7–10am and 4–7pm on weekdays), travel times can be longer.
Traffic stress: LA traffic can be unpredictable, especially on the freeways connecting Orange County to Los Angeles. Midday or early afternoon drives are usually easier than peak rush hour.
Time in the car: For a day trip to Hollywood or Santa Monica, you could easily spend 2–3 hours total in each direction if traffic is heavy, which can eat into sightseeing time.

Alternatives and suggestions:

If Disneyland is the main priority and you want to avoid hotel changes, staying in Anaheim for the entire trip is fine. You can plan one or two full days for LA sightseeing, starting early to minimize traffic, and consider using ride-share services or even guided tours to reduce the stress of driving.
If sightseeing in Hollywood/Santa Monica is equally important, consider splitting your stay: a few nights in Anaheim for Disneyland and a couple of nights in a central LA area (Hollywood, West Hollywood, or Santa Monica). This reduces travel time for city attractions.
Another option is to focus on one day in LA, choosing a concentrated area like Hollywood or Santa Monica, so you can see major sights without feeling rushed.

In summary, Anaheim is a convenient base if Disneyland is your focus, but day trips to LA attractions can be long due to traffic. Splitting your stay or planning very focused day trips will help balance sightseeing and travel time.

Could I use Anaheim as a base?

More Anaheim Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions