🥾 Self-Guided Downtown Anaheim Walking Tour: History, Parks & Local Flavor
🗺️ Suggested Route — Numbered Stops
Founders’ Park — Mother Colony House, Woelke-Stoffel House & Moreton Bay Fig Tree
📍 400 N. West Street, Anaheim, CA 92801
Pearson Park — Boysen Cactus Garden & historic civic park
📍 400 N. Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805Anaheim Packing House — restored citrus packing facility turned food hall
📍 440 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805Broadway Avenue Historic Stretch — historic homes, churches & mid-century post office (walk between Anaheim Blvd & West Street)
📍 Start near 201 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805Center Street Promenade & Anaheim Central Library — shops, cafes & cultural hub
📍 Anaheim Central Library: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
📍 Center Street Promenade: 201 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
Enjoying wine at family gathering, Anaheim, circa 1860
Exploring Anaheim’s Past
If you want to experience Anaheim beyond its world-famous theme parks, try a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown Anaheim. This route blends early California history, German settler roots, and cultural landmarks into an easy stroll you can enjoy at your own pace.
Begin your journey at Founders’ Park (400 N. West Street). Here you’ll find the Mother Colony House, built in 1857 and recognized as the oldest wood-frame building in Orange County. Next door stands the Woelke-Stoffel House, an elegant Queen Anne-style mansion from 1894. Between them towers a massive Moreton Bay Fig tree, imported in the 19th century and designated as a historic landmark. This single park captures the pioneering spirit of Anaheim’s earliest years.
From there, head east on Sycamore Street toward Pearson Park, one of Anaheim’s most beloved green spaces. Originally known as City Park, it became the civic heart of Anaheim in the early 1900s. The park’s highlight is the Boysen Cactus Garden, created by horticulturist Rudolph Boysen—the same man who developed the boysenberry. With its unusual collection of succulents and desert plants, Pearson Park reflects Southern California’s botanical trends of the era while offering a peaceful place to stroll.
Next, make your way toward the Anaheim Packing House, a beautifully restored 1919 citrus packing facility that now serves as one of Orange County’s top food halls. Here, you can sample global cuisine, sip craft cocktails, and soak up the lively atmosphere. From the Packing House, wander along Broadway Avenue toward Center Street to admire a mix of historic homes, local shops, and the Anaheim Central Library. This final stretch showcases how Anaheim has evolved while still preserving its sense of place.
Whether you’re a local looking for a fresh adventure or a visitor curious about Anaheim beyond Disneyland, this self-guided walking tour offers a rich blend of history, architecture, and community spaces—all at your own pace.
🏡 Historic Walk, Modern Comfort: Where to Stay in Anaheim
✨ The Westin Anaheim Resort — modern and stylish with rooftop views of Disneyland fireworks.
✨ JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort — upscale and art-inspired with spacious rooms and a rooftop bar.
✨ Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort — family-friendly with resort pool and lush garden courtyards.
🚐 Need Help Planning Your Anaheim Adventure?
You don’t have to do it alone. From private tours of Anaheim’s historic core to airport pickups, hotel transfers, and day trips around Orange County, we can help you streamline every detail.
✨ Whether you want a custom itinerary, a reliable driver for Disney days, or insider recommendations on the best tours, dining, and local experiences, The Orange County Concierge has you covered.
📩 Contact us today to start planning your stress-free Anaheim experience—tailored just for you.