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Exploring Anaheim

Vicky Uhland

February 10, 2010

4 Min Read
New Hope logo in a gray background | New Hope

After leaving the show floor, most attendees can be described in one word: weary. Don’t let your sore feet and busy schedule keep you from getting out to enjoy Expo’s host city, though. Natural products fans can find healthy, homegrown fun in and around Anaheim.

Getting around
Unlike neighboring Los Angeles, people actually do walk in Anaheim. The city’s tourist bus, Anaheim Resort Transit, basically takes you anywhere you can walk, but if you’re tired, it’s worth the $3 per trip. Check out the schedule at rideart.org. Other transit options include a public bus and Metrolink (a train that takes you to various Orange County cities). Schedules can be found at octa.net. Otherwise, hail a cab at your hotel or the convention center.

Dining
To get a taste of Anaheim’s restaurant scene, check out these organic or vegetarian eateries, all within 20 miles of the convention center.
Anaheim

Mother’s Market & Kitchen
5759 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road 714.974.6667, mothersmarket.com
Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Natural foods store with restaurant and juice bar, also featured in the Expo West Retail Store Tour on Thursday, March 11
at 8 a.m. Start your day with Ma’s tasty gluten-free blue corn flapjacks.

Fullerton

Karma Cafe
305 N. State College Blvd.
714.992.2332, loungekarma.com
Open 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 5 p.m. to 2 a.m Sunday
Mediterranean food, plus a hookah lounge and belly dancing on the weekends. Be sure to check out the authentic Lebanese pizza pitas.

Z Pizza
1981 Sunnycrest Drive
714.738.4249, zpizza.com
Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Gluten-free, organic and vegan pizzas featuring unusual ingredients like roasted eggplant, pine nuts and truffle oil.

Irvine

Greens Cafe
15435 Jeffrey Road, Suite 110
949.653.1241, thegreenscafe.com.
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday
Organic and vegan casual dining, including an all-day Sunday buffet.

La Sirena Grill
3931 Portola Parkway
714.508.8226, lasirenagrill.com
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and SundayOrganic Mexican food featuring blackened salmon tacos and carne asada fajitas made from grass-fed beef.

Wheel of Life
14370 Culver Drive, Suite 2G
949.551.8222, wheelofliferestaurant.com Call for hours
Vegan Thai food—try the spicy bamboo shoots or eggplant with basil.

Costa Mesa

118 Degrees
2981 Bristol St., Suite B5
714.754.0718, shop118degrees.com
Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
Organic, raw food in a sophisticated setting. Tapas include Garden Dippers made of squash flax filled with tahini cheese, carrots, red chard, beets and cucumber, served with avo-lime dipping sauce.

Avanti Cafe
259 E. 17th St.
949.548.2224, avantinatural.com
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday
Casual, local, organic dining featuring imaginative sandwiches like the Sloppy Giotto: Bolognese sauce, Havarti cheese and falafel-roasted eggplant on olive-rosemary foccacia.

Nightlife
For a family friendly atmosphere, Downtown Disney—
a collection of shops, restaurants and clubs, including House of Blues and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen—is a good option. If you’d rather go out without Mickey Mouse ears, check out these after-hours attractions.

Ember Cafe & Music Club
401 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim 714.991.3686, emberofanaheim.com
This massive club’s South Beach–style décor includes VIP cabanas surrounding the dance floor, bottle service and a Swarovski chandelier that changes colors with the DJ’s beat.

Heat Ultra Lounge
321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim
714.776.4328, heatultraloungeoc.com
This GardenWalk hot spot opened in August and features two dance floors, three bars, bottle service and a $20 cover charge. Dance with 800 beautiful people—hip hop and house music all night long.

Tumbao Salsa Dura Zanzibar Lounge
1301 5th St., Santa Monica
310.451.2221, 2umbao.com
Salsa dancing, California style. Don’t know how? Try the lessons held by instructor Christian Oviedo.

25Si Karaoke
8851 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove 714.638.2525
This Korean-style karaoke club features
rooms that can hold anywhere from a handful of people to 30 of your colleagues or clients. Each room has a karaoke machine with a selection of English, Korean and Japanese songs, a fog machine and laser lights. Prices range from $30 to $60 per hour per room.

The Continental Room
115 W. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton
714.526.4529
This 1920s bar, reputedly the oldest in Orange County, has a Sinatra-esque vibe and is known for its martinis and bartenders’ generous pours. Music atmosphere is everything from ‘60s soul to ‘80s punk.

Wine Cellar
1150 Magic Way, Anaheim
714.956.6755
Don’t let the Disneyland Hotel
location fool you—this civilized
setting is Cinderella-free and has
an impressive California wine list.

About the Author

Vicky Uhland

Vicky Uhland is a writer and editor based in Lafayette, Colorado.

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