Anaheim GardenWalk - Anaheim, Ca - The Shops, Restaurants, Directions - Review/Photos

The Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor shopping, restaurant, and movie theatre trilogy located in the heart of endearing Anaheim California. A neatly organized and condensed entertainment oriented venue which encompasses several square blocks where other world renown, iconic tourist attractions maintain longstanding tenancy. The list of international favorites or landmarks include Disneyland, Major League Baseball World Series Champions the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and premiere international event facilities such as the centrally located Anaheim Convention Center. Two of which are visible and easily accessible from various points within the GardenWalk's outdoor shopping section and along the seamlessly integrated "Restaurant Row". From the main entrance perimeter, street side along Katella Avenue looking in toward the mall, the grounds resemble a tightly interwoven group of individual establishments and entertainment venues linked in contiguous fashion rather than the traditional, rigidly structured indoor shopping center, hence, one of the obvious reasons for the aptly titled "GardenWalk". A perfect moniker to describe this neat, well kept, and meticulously manicured high end Orange County attraction, complete with inviting indigenous flora landscaping which is always artfully arranged and skillfully trimmed to the "Nines".

The pristine and well maintained grounds coupled with boutique style architectural design, a grooming characteristic which is typically reserved for upper echelon establishments, provides an atmosphere which might resemble a distinct feeling that you are about to embark upon a significant purse or wallet shrinking experience, and considering the prime entertainment driven location which includes the frequent cameo appearances by movie stars, television personalities, and talented sports figures, I can understand why this might be the initial impression for first time local visitors and international tourists. However, aside from a few upscale shops that offer an exquisite line of quality apparel, shoes, jewelry, and wide range of other products at what we would deem exquisite price tags, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find the shopping experience in addition to the fine dining fare, when judged in its totality, is quite reasonable and relatively affordable considering the top quality merchandise on display at the many shops and mouth watering cuisine served up by premiere OC mainstays such as "The Cheesecake Factory" , "P.F. Chang's China Bistro", and an entire row of fine dining establishments. All restaurants at the GardenWalk are immensely popular regional eatery favorites that never seem to disappoint while consistently providing a delectable budget friendly menu of diverse appetizers and entree's.

> > THE SHOPS/STORES AT THE ANAHEIM GARDENWALK

APPAREL* ACCESSORIES * JEWELRY * SHOES * HEALTH & BEAUTY

The Body Shop - Express Your Cell - Fresh Produce - G Stage - Georgiou - Got Shirts - Harley Davidson of Anaheim - Hollister - Hot In The Shade - Lush Cosmetics - Lux Aveda Salon & Spa - Madison & Company Fine Jewelers - O'Neill - Rebel - Red Apparel - Skechers - Sunglass Hut - 24 Hour Fitness - White House/Black Market

>> RESTAURANTS AT THE ANAHEIM GARDENWALK

A diverse menu intended to please a multitude of palates is offered by several different restaurants. P.F. Chang's as previously mentioned, is an extremely popular choice for locals and tourists transitioning from their invigorating Disneyland adventures. The entire lineup of establishments offer their own unique style and flavor and together this "Restaurant Row" is a major reason why customers return on a regular basis.

>> AMBIANCE

Strolling past the subtle, lush, non intrusive gardens and floral displays on exhibit at the "Walk", is a refreshing change of proverbial pace in contrast to the typical enclosed concrete dominated "Garden Variety" shopping mall found in most cities across the nation. Almost every establishment adjacent to the main entrance has beautifully integrated outdoor landscaping which is custom designed to accentuate the building facades, and certain areas have alternating or changing botanical scenes which seem to magically appear, disappear, and then reappear once again right in harmonized sync with the seasons. The size and scope of each arrangement in my opinion, is just right, large enough for guests to notice and admire, but not excessively imposing to the point of impeding your walking stride, or overhanging and descending too far below the rooftops or walls from above to act as a botanically induced nuisance that needs to be ducked or side stepped in order to avoid a soft leafy splash to the face as you maneuver your way through the sidewalks. Photo opportunities are charming and plentiful, try to see how many majestic palm trees you can squeeze into one wide angle digital frame. A soothingly cool, precisely sequenced roadside display of breathtaking natural canopy which extends for at least one quarter of a mile is clearly visible to add a special California flavor and nuance to the outdoor scenic ambiance. When you visit I think you'll see what I mean.

Precise measurements would presumably reveal the GardenWalk to be small, quaint, and moderately compact in comparison to other Orange County California mega malls such as "Main Place" and "Fashion Island" located in southern OC, and the developed square footage I would estimate to be considerably less than the average goliath unless I'm experiencing an optical illusion when I visit which is perhaps a possibility. Specialty shops and stores that focus on a specific market are prevalent, so you won't see major department stores like Nordstrom or Macy's at the GardenWalk, instead, a cozy, off the mainstream path is more the experience. The same holds true for the restaurants which primarily serve specialty items, and this pinpoint focus certainly pays off with excellent cuisine.

>> ACCESS/PARKING

Easy and seamless access via the main parking garage located right off of and adjacent to Katella Avenue. Standard machines deliver tickets via automatic activation, just take one and utilize validation if available. The structure is spacious and easily accommodates the largest of crowds. Several lanes at the entrance and exits provide a smooth transition to and from the GardenWalk and Katella Avenue.

> > REVIEW/OPINION

If you're looking for a monstrosity of a mega mall with outdoor pitchmen speaking hastily through amplified microphones in a futilely annoying, or at times, successful attempt to sell the latest gadget, or a twelve piece brass band playing classical sing along songs, or amusement apparatus for the children to run around and play on to stay busy while parents shop, unfortunately, The Anaheim GardenWalk might be somewhat of a disappointment. A more realistic expectation would be to envision a fun filled afternoon visiting all the smaller undiscovered specialty shops and boutiques that offer a unique line of quality products at reasonable prices. Walking the cobblestone paths provides a warm and cozy distinct ambiance that is usually abscent at some of the larger, overwhelming sized commercial Orange County malls, even though there is certainly a time to shop these dynamic retail outlets as well. The restaurants are few but offer superb cuisine and just the right setting to meet up with family, friends, or acquaintances to engage in a favorite activity of simply enjoy the day or evening in the company of each other. The location also provides the potential to interact and share a story or two with international visitors who travel mainly from European countries such as France, Italy, Germany, England, to Disneyland, which as previously mentioned, is also situated in Anaheim.

To sum it all up and render an opinion, The Anaheim GardenWalk is truly an Orange County original located in the pulsating entertainment heart of Anaheim. Unquestionably smaller in geographical size verses many Southern California shopping venues, but gigantic in personality, ambiance, and specialties. Enjoy the day.