Getting There
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the primary gateway for Anaheim, sitting roughly 13 miles from the city's sports venues and about 20-30 minutes by car depending on traffic. Rideshare via Uber or Lyft runs approximately $35-55 from SNA to the stadium area, while shared shuttle services like Prime Time Shuttle offer a more affordable flat-rate alternative. OCTA bus routes are available from SNA for around $4-6 but require one or two transfers and take well over an hour, making them impractical for most sports travelers.
Getting Around
Anaheim is a car-friendly, spread-out Southern California city where having a rental car gives you the most flexibility, though rideshare is plentiful and practical for game-night trips when parking is a concern. The ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center) on Katella Avenue is a major transit hub directly adjacent to both Honda Center and Angel Stadium, served by Metrolink, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, OCTA buses, and the local Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) system. ART operates 12 fixed bus routes connecting area hotels, the stadium district, and the resort area — however, note that ART has announced the end of its service effective March 31, 2026, so travelers should confirm current availability and check with OCTA for alternative bus connections before relying on it as a car-free option.
Where to Stay
The Platinum Triangle neighborhood, centered around Katella Avenue between Angel Stadium and Honda Center, is the best base for sports fans, putting you within easy walking distance of both venues and the ARTIC transit hub. The Resort District near Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland is another strong option, with a dense cluster of hotels ranging from budget properties at $100-150 per night to full-service hotels at $200-350 per night. Visiting fans should book early for weekend series and Ducks playoff runs, as the resort-heavy hotel market means prices surge quickly when demand is high. Mid-week games during the MLB season tend to offer significantly better hotel rates than weekend matchups.
Sports Fan Notes
Anaheim punches above its weight for a traveling sports fan, offering two major professional franchises, the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) and the Anaheim Ducks (NHL), whose home venues sit less than a quarter mile apart, making a multi-sport weekend trip uniquely easy to pull off. The Ducks carry a passionate and knowledgeable local fan base, and a Honda Center crowd for a rivalry game against a Pacific Division opponent is a legitimately loud NHL experience. Angels fans are a laid-back, family-oriented crowd, and the stadium's open concourse and Southern California weather make it one of the more relaxed ballpark environments in the league. Angel Stadium also hosts AMA Supercross events in the off-season, so check the schedule if motorsports are your thing.
Venues in Anaheim
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from SNA to downtown Anaheim?
The fastest and most practical option is a rideshare (Uber or Lyft), which covers the roughly 13-mile trip in about 20-25 minutes and costs $35-55 depending on time of day and demand. Shared shuttle services like Prime Time Shuttle offer flat-rate door-to-door service and can be more economical for groups. OCTA public buses (Routes 76 and 43) connect SNA to Anaheim for around $4-6, but the trip involves at least one transfer and takes 75 to 95 minutes, making it best suited for budget travelers with flexible schedules.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Anaheim for a sports trip?
The Platinum Triangle, the mixed-use district surrounding the Katella Avenue sports corridor, is the top pick. It puts you walking distance from both Angel Stadium and Honda Center, directly next to the ARTIC transit hub, and gives you easy access to the bars and restaurants that cluster around the venues on game nights. The Resort District near Harbor Boulevard is a solid backup with more hotel inventory and price competition, though it adds a short rideshare or ART bus ride to the stadiums.
Which sports teams play in Anaheim?
Anaheim is home to two major professional franchises: the Los Angeles Angels (MLB) at Angel Stadium and the Anaheim Ducks (NHL) at Honda Center. Both venues sit less than a quarter mile apart near Katella Avenue, making it genuinely feasible to catch an Angels afternoon game and a Ducks evening game in the same day during the brief overlap of the MLB and NHL seasons in October and April.
Is Anaheim a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Anaheim is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Los Angeles, California, approximately 30 miles northwest, which is one of the primary U.S. venues for the tournament.
Sports cities near Anaheim
Close enough to pair with a Anaheim trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.