Help me plan my Anaheim itinerary

Question

We are heading to Anaheim June 15-19. We have an early arrival, so I’m hoping to enjoy the beach or something fun on Sunday. We would like to visit Disney Adventure, maybe spend a day in San Diego or Hollywood. Not sure what’s really practical but would love some advice please. We are flying in and out of LAX. Our return flight on 6/19 is not until 7pm. How can we make the best use of our day before our flight home? Also I was thinking that I would just rent a car a couple of days in Anaheim, as needed. Does that make sense? Thanks in advance.

Answer

Arriving early on June 15 gives you a great opportunity to start your Anaheim trip with something relaxing or scenic before diving into theme parks. Since you’re flying into LAX, it makes sense to rent a car only for the days you’ll be exploring outside of Anaheim or doing beach trips, as traffic around Disney and Anaheim itself can be busy and parking is expensive.

Here’s a suggested itinerary:

Sunday, June 15 (Arrival Day): Drive to Newport Beach or Huntington Beach (about 45–60 minutes from LAX) for a relaxing morning or early afternoon stroll, sun, and maybe lunch along the pier. Return to Anaheim in the evening and settle into your hotel.
Monday, June 16: Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure (depending on preference). Arrive early to maximize ride time. Consider Genie+ for quicker access to popular rides.
Tuesday, June 17: The other Disney park (if you did Disneyland on Monday, do California Adventure today). Alternatively, use this as a half-day park and half-day at Downtown Disney for shopping and dining.
Wednesday, June 18: Optional day trip. Driving to San Diego is doable but requires 2–2.5 hours each way, making it a long day. If you prefer a lighter day, consider Los Angeles highlights (Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier) or a nearby beach day. Renting a car only for this day is practical.
Thursday, June 19 (Departure Day): With a 7pm flight, you have the morning and early afternoon free. Consider:

Visiting Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach for a final stroll and lunch.
Exploring Anaheim Packing District for a foodie experience close to your hotel.
Leaving for LAX around 3–3:30pm to allow for traffic, rental car return, and airport check-in.

Additional tips:

Car rental: Rent only for the day trips outside Anaheim; otherwise, rely on walking, Uber/Lyft, or shuttles around Disneyland.
Traffic: Southern California traffic is heavy; allow extra travel time, especially on I-5 and I-405.
Reservations: Book any Disney dining or popular restaurants in advance.
Packing: Bring comfortable walking shoes for theme parks and a small beach bag for your beach excursions.

This plan balances theme parks, beach time, and sightseeing while minimizing unnecessary driving and stress. You’ll get a mix of relaxation and iconic California experiences.

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