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Anaheim Gay City Guide – Find Your Next Home in the Happiest Place on Earth!

Located in Orange County, California, Anaheim is technically part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area – but it’s certainly a city worth talking about in its own right. While Anaheim is well-known for being the home of Disneyland, there’s far more to this city than simply being the home of Mickey and friends. Anaheim is also the corporate headquarters for a number of major companies, including AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Panasonic, and others. It’s also home to a diverse and thriving LGBTQ community and offers plenty for residents and visitors alike to see and do. Truly, those who call Anaheim home have plenty of reasons to be happy.

A Look at Anaheim’s History

Anaheim was founded by fifty German families in 1857 and was incorporated as the second city in Los Angeles County in 1876. Orange County, of which Anaheim is now a part, split off from Los Angeles County in 1889. Anaheim was largely an agricultural community until 1955, when Disneyland opened, leading to the construction of several hotels and motels in the area, and eventually, many residential neighborhoods. Anaheim also eventually developed into an industrial center, best known for producing electronics, aircraft parts, and canned fruit, among other goods. Today, it is a trendy, thriving, welcoming, and diverse city, where all can be a part and find their place.

A Few Fun Facts About Anaheim

  • The name Anaheim comes from the Santa Ana River nearby, and “heim” which is the German word for “home”.
  • Disneyland makes its home in Anaheim and sits on 160 acres of land that was formerly orange and walnut groves.
  • Angel Stadium, where the Major League Baseball team the Anaheim Angels play, is the 4th oldest active baseball stadium in the country.

Read more fun facts about Anaheim here.

Anaheim’s LGBTQ Community

Anaheim is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ with a variety of community resources. Some of these include:

LGBTQ Center of Orange County

Since 1971, the mission of the LGBTQ Center of Orange County has been to empower Orange County’s LGBTQ community through a variety of programs and events, and through offering resources, support, and networking and educational opportunities that help the LGBTQ community to thrive and grow. The Center is proud to provide services to thousands of individuals annually.

PFLAG Orange County

PFLAG Orange County is Anaheim’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the United States, and it plays a very important role in providing advocacy, networking opportunities, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community. It also offers monthly support meetings and other events for the LGBTQ community, and its friends and allies.

What’s the Weather Like in Anaheim?

Anaheim receives 14 inches of rain, on average per year, and no snow. It also receives plenty of sunshine – an average of 280 days a year in fact. Summers are warm and pleasant with highs in July averaging around 84°, and winters are fairly mild, with lows in January averaging around 46°. Fall and spring are also very pleasant and mild – generally, Anaheim weather can be counted on to be sunny and enjoyable for most of the year.

Can’t-Miss Anaheim Events

Gay Days

Each year, there is one special weekend where nearly a hundred thousand LGBTQ people and their families, friends, and allies fill Disneyland Park to celebrate unity and to have fun. Although it is not an officially sanctioned Disneyland event, each year it receives great support and participation from the community – it’s always guaranteed to be a happy weekend at the happiest place on earth!

OC Pride

Orange County Pride is Anaheim’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s always an event well worth attending. The event, which celebrates all that the LGBTQ community adds to the city, offers parades, parties, events, networking opportunities, and more. It’s truly a celebration of all that makes the gay community in Anaheim wonderful.

Where to Live in Anaheim

When it comes to choosing a neighborhood, it’s hard to go wrong in Anaheim. The entire city is very LGBTQ friendly, and choosing a neighborhood will be largely a matter of personal preference and what best fits your lifestyle. A couple of the most popular Anaheim neighborhoods include:

Anaheim Hills

Anaheim Hills is a popular and affluent neighborhood that offers plenty of green space, including both the Oak Canyon Nature Center, Yorba Regional Park, and Deer Canyon Park, among others. It also offers plenty of dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities. The median home value in Anaheim Hills is currently $816,000.

The Colony

In addition to being home to Disneyland, The Colony is a beautiful historic district where a number of other lovely Anaheim homes, stores, and restaurants are located. It is known for its walkability, it’s trendy Packing District marketplace, and plenty of green space. The median home value of homes in The Colony is currently around $585,000.

Arts and Entertainment

Stage Door Repertory Theatre

Stage Door Repertory Theatre is Anaheim’s gay and lesbian performing theatre company. The theatre itself has a raised stage with raked seating and an intimate setting where every seat provides an excellent view. A variety of shows of all styles and genres are offered, and guests are sure to be delighted every time. You won’t want to pass up your chance to get tickets to a show yourself!

Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center

The Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center was initially the city’s Carnegie Library and was constructed in the early 1900s. Today, it is a museum of local culture, history, and art, with rotating exhibits sure to inspire and educate visitors. It is truly a local historical treasure, and well worth a visit.

Parks and Recreation

Disneyland

No one can fully experience Anaheim without at least one trip to The Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland, founded in Anaheim by Walt Disney in the 1950s was Disney’s first amusement park. Though many would later follow, Disneyland will always hold its special status as the first. Those who love Disneyland can also enjoy the nearby Disney California Adventure Park – a park that celebrates the fun, history, and adventure of California with a special Disney flair.

Chino Hills State Park

Chino Hills State Park, located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon enjoying all of the natural beauty that Anaheim has to offer. As an important part of the Chino-Puente Hills wildlife corridor and a major botanical reserve, majestic wildlife and beautiful scenery are never in short supply here.

Anaheim Nightlife

Uva Bar

Uva Bar is an upscale bar serving Mediterranean food and a variety of drink options, located in Downtown Disney. Along with strong drinks and good company, Uva Bar also offers a great, free view of Disneyland’s spectacular fireworks show each evening. What’s not to love?

Frat House Bar

Frat House Bar is a popular Anaheim LGBTQ bar that offers a lively dance floor, weekend drag shows, strong drinks, friendly staff, and the chance to enjoy an evening hanging with friends, enjoying the evening, dancing, and perhaps playing a game of pool. You’ll want to be sure to stop by when out on the town for the evening.

Contact an Anaheim Realtor Today

Without a doubt, Anaheim would be a wonderful place to call home. If you are ready to begin the search for your own perfect place in Anaheim, you’ll need the help of a realtor who knows the city and can help you find a neighborhood and home that you love. If you’re ready to get started, contact an Anaheim gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!