The American Sports Center in Anaheim, California is the largest indoor court facility in the world. It features 34 volleyball courts which can be converted into 25 basketball courts. If your team is headed to the American Sports Center to participate in a tournament, then you’ll be in close proximity to many popular amusement parks like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. That being said, you may not have time for a full day in one of these parks, so we’ve put together some other possible activities to fill the time in between your games at the American Sports Center. No matter what activities you choose, you’re all in store for a great time during your team’s visit to the Anaheim area.
Things to Do
Adventure City
Located right near the American Sports Center is Adventure City, the little theme park that’s big on family fun! Since the admission to Adventure City for a family of four costs roughly the same price as just one ticket to a big park, you can enjoy all of their 17 rides, shows, and attractions without breaking the bank.
While there, you and your team can experience high-flying thrills on their two towering roller coasters; take a relaxing ride on the Adventure City Express Train or get a little topsy-turvy on the Crazy Bus; meet some new animal friends in their petting farm; enjoy fun, engaging children’s shows; and so much more! For affordable family fun in Orange County, spend some time in Adventure City! 1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92804
Downtown Disney District
Like its Orlando counterpart, the Downtown Disney District offers all of the magical fun of a Disney amusement park without the hefty price of admission. Located on the grounds of the Disneyland Resort, the Downtown Disney District is a unique gathering place that offers plenty of fun things to do day and night. Featuring live musical performances and an eclectic selection of restaurants and shops to explore, there’s so much to see and do at this popular Anaheim entertainment destination. 1580 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Yorba Regional Park
Spanning one mile and 140 acres, Yorba Regional Park is situated in the mouth of Santa Ana Canyon in Anaheim. Yorba Park features a linear layout that follows the path of the Santa Ana River, which is located adjacent to the park. Another unique aspect of Yorba Park is that it’s home to an abundance of family and group picnicking facilities. You’ll come across more than 400 picnic tables in the park, many of which include permanent shade structures.
There are also four lakes located on the grounds of Yorba Park. Not only are these tranquil lakes nice to look at, they also provide visitors with opportunities to enjoy aquatic activities such as fishing and model boat sailing. Bicycle trails meander through the park as well. 7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807
Cross Roads Escape Games
Not your everyday team building experience, Cross Roads Escape Games was designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts with the goal of creating an escape room attraction unlike any other. If this will be your group’s first time visiting an escape room and you’re not sure what to expect, the concept is actually fairly simple. An escape room is an engaging, interactive experience that begins the moment you hear the door lock behind you.
Trapped in a room full of mind-bending puzzles and clues, it may seem as if there’s no way out. However, it’s these various puzzles and clues that are the “key” you need to escape. Find the way out in under an hour and you win! Cross Roads takes this novel concept and advances the idea with innovative game design and movie-quality sets so that players feel completely immersed while inside the room. 4245 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807
Long Beach
If you’ve got the time for a 20-mile trek west of the American Sports Center to visit the city of Long Beach, then be sure to put a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific in your team’s travel itinerary. At this world-class aquarium you’ll get the chance to meet more than 11,000 fascinating sea creatures. The Aquarium of the Pacific features over 50 exhibits showcasing fish native to the warm waters of sunny Southern California, the frigid Northern Pacific, the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific, and many other ecosystems all across the globe.
While there, you and your team will also have the chance to touch small shark and ray species, get up-close with penguins, feed colorful birds in Lorikeet Forest, explore environmental issues in the Ocean Science Center, and more.
Another popular attraction in Long Beach is the legendary Queen Mary. The Behind the Scenes Guided Tour of the historic ocean liner and World War II troopship will provide you and your team with the opportunity to see restored areas that have been under wraps since the vessel’s final voyage in 1967. These areas include the isolation wards and the aft machine rooms, just to name a few.
End your visit to Long Beach with a stroll along the Long Beach Waterfront. There, you and your team can take in the sights and sounds of the harbor while passing by plenty of great shopping and dining options to choose from. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802; 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802; Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA
Irvine Regional Park
In the city of Orange, about 15 miles east of Anaheim and the American Sports Center, Irvine Regional Park encompasses 160 acres of exceptionally well-maintained open space. Within the park there’s plenty to do. Visitors can rent bikes or paddle boats to enjoy the natural setting, or simply go for a hike on one of the park’s many trails. The park is home to a one third-scale railroad that transports both kids and adults along a scenic loop. Orange County Zoo is also located inside the park. This relatively modest zoo houses only animals that are native to California and teaches visitors about conservation in the Golden State. 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, CA 92869
To find hotel rooms closest to where your team is playing in Anaheim or any city, visit hotels4teams.com. Hotels4Teams – The Best Hotels at the Best Prices, Closest to the Action!
Places to Eat
Anaheim Packing District
A renovated fruit-packing facility that has recently been converted into a food court, the Anaheim Packing District features more than 20 local eateries selling every type of food you can imagine. It’s easy to cater to everyone’s unique preferences by letting every member of your group visit the booth that most appeals to them. The atmosphere of this local gem is also always alive with the bustle of diners enjoying their food in a spacious, airy environment. 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
The Pizza Press
The Pizza Press in Anaheim specializes in the build-your-own-pizza trend that is becoming more and more popular all across the country. Fresh, high-quality ingredients and a retro 1920s theme sets The Pizza Press apart from the competition. Their pizzas are all delicious and since they can be customized however you’d like, even the pickiest of eaters will find something to enjoy there. 1700 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Although it’s a chain, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a great choice for dining near the American Sports Center. With its kid-friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices, and sizable portions, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has got pretty much everything a team could want in a restaurant. The menu may be a bit heavy on shrimp dishes but there’s still plenty of other non-seafood meals to choose from as well. 321 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802
The Scratch Room
With a name like The Scratch Room, you’d expect the food to be fresh. Good news, it is. This popular breakfast and lunch spot has won Orange County Hotlist’s “BEST Breakfast” award in 2016 and 2017. Some of The Scratch Room’s popular menu items include the chorizo bacon breakfast burger served with onion aioli and a sunny side egg, and a corned beef benedict. While the menu is only one page, every meal is cooked to perfection. 2415 Lincoln Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
While Anaheim has a reputation for being the “city that Disney built,” the number of attractions and opportunities that have sprung up around it over the last 60 years have turned it into a true vacation destination. Whether your team visits one of the world-famous theme parks or simply enjoy some of the other activities in the area, you will find plenty to do in and around Anaheim and Orange County when you’re done competing at the American Sports Center.