Explore Orange County

You're in Southern California for Thanksgiving weekend — make the most of it.

Thursday is a free day. Here are some of our favorite spots in the area.

Disneyland & Disney California Adventure

Walking distance from JW Marriott · Anaheim, CA

The JW Marriott is literally next door to the Happiest Place on Earth. Whether you're a first-timer or a regular, a day at Disneyland or California Adventure is a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving. Buy tickets in advance — the parks fill up fast over the holiday weekend.

Knott's Berry Farm

~10 minutes · Buena Park, CA (near the Gurudwara)

America's oldest theme park. Great for thrill rides, funnel cake, and a more relaxed vibe than Disneyland. It's right by Singh Sabha Gurudwara in Buena Park — easy to combine with a pre-ceremony visit to the neighborhood on Thursday.

Artesia — Little India

~20 minutes · Artesia, CA

Southern California's South Asian hub. Pioneer Boulevard is lined with Indian and Pakistani restaurants, sweet shops, jewelry stores, and fabric boutiques. Ideal for picking up last-minute wedding attire, loading up on mithai, or just grabbing a proper chai and paratha. Highly recommend if you haven't been.

Newport Beach & Balboa Island

~30 minutes · Newport Beach, CA

One of Orange County's most beautiful coastal towns. Walk the Balboa Peninsula, grab a famous Balboa Bar ice cream, or just sit on the beach and enjoy the Pacific. The harbor is stunning, and there's no shortage of great restaurants nearby.

Huntington Beach (Surf City USA)

~25 minutes · Huntington Beach, CA

Wide, sandy, quintessentially SoCal. Walk the pier, rent a bike along the strand, or just find a spot to relax. The downtown area has good food and coffee within walking distance of the beach.

Old Town Orange

~15 minutes · Orange, CA

A charming historic downtown built around a traffic circle — one of the only intact historic downtowns in SoCal. Great for antique shops, local restaurants, coffee, and a slow afternoon walk. A nice contrast to the theme parks.

Downtown Anaheim / The Packing District

~10 minutes · Anaheim, CA

Anaheim's local food scene centered around a converted 1920s packinghouse. Food halls, local vendors, craft beer, and a farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays. A great spot for breakfast or a casual lunch away from the resort area.