Garden Grove, CA

Travel Guide
Crystal Cove State Park showing a beach, signage and landscape views
Visit the extraordinary Crystal Cathedral, which houses one of the world’s largest musical instruments. See a show at the theater and explore the museum.

Garden Grove is a small city in Orange County that is home to the Crystal Cathedral, possibly the largest glass building in the world. Admire this innovative structure, watch a performance in one of the city’s theaters and enjoy local cuisine at a restaurant on Harbor Boulevard. The city is also famous for hosting the annual Strawberry Festival, which celebrates the area’s agricultural roots.

Make your way to the Crystal Cathedral, a glass structure designed by Philip Johnson and built in 1981. Move around the building to observe changes in the reflective exterior that resembles a giant mirror. Walk around the church’s spacious interior and enjoy the view of the sky through the glass. Marvel at the Hazel Wright Memorial Organ, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Its intricate design includes more than 16,000 pipes.

Head to the Stanley Ranch Museum to learn about some of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to the 1800s.

Visit the restaurants and shops along Harbor Boulevard. The city is renowned for its Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine. Sit down, relax and enjoy tostadas and a fruity margarita.

Attend May’s annual Strawberry Festival. Ride Ferris wheels and roller coasters and taste local produce in celebration of the city’s agricultural prominence. Watch the festival parade and see marching bands, floats and local celebrities.

Garden Grove is 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Anaheim and 29 miles (47 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. Reach the area by bus from either city or get there faster by driving or taking a taxi.

Orange County’s beautiful beaches are just a short distance from Garden Grove. Take the 15-minute drive to Huntington Beach and relax on the sand or surf the waves. The affluent town of Newport Beach is an additional 15-minute drive south. Disneyland® Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm are also nearby.

Where to stay in Garden Grove

Best pho in town

Koreatown

While Koreatown isn't home to many top sights, Garden Grove Park and Vietnam War Memorial are some notable places to visit nearby.

Koreatown
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Rustic Lane

When in Rustic Lane, you can plan a visit to Adventure City and Hobby City Doll and Toy Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Rustic Lane
Residence Inn By Marriott Anaheim Resort Area
Residence Inn By Marriott Anaheim Resort Area
3 out of 5
11931 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
The price is ¥19,575 per night from May 29 to May 30
¥19,575
per night
May 29 - May 30
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Garden Grove. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Perfect
"Customer service was excellent! Front desk people were super polite & nice ! I would definitely stay here again . Also rooms are super spacious perfect for a small family. They also have a tram that takes you to Disney which is a plus !!!"

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Residence Inn By Marriott Anaheim Resort Area
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Hyatt Regency Orange County
4 out of 5
11999 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
The price is ¥20,889 per night from May 20 to May 21
¥20,889
per night
May 20 - May 21
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Garden Grove. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,789 reviews)
"Beautiful atrium, clean rooms, excellent service!"

Reviewed on May 15, 2024

Hyatt Regency Orange County
Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA
Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA
3.5 out of 5
12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA
The price is ¥30,675 per night from May 20 to May 21
¥30,675
per night
May 20 - May 21
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly resort in Garden Grove. Enjoy 5 restaurants, water park access (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The staff in the hotel, restaurants and water park were all above what I expected. They were on a Disney level! My kids loved the stay and they are 13, 11 & 9 if that helps."

Reviewed on May 13, 2024

Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
3 out of 5
149 Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA
Stay at this 3-star historic aparthotel in Long Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and an attached winery. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (827 reviews)
"It wasn’t clear as to how to enter the property the first time to get your parking space and key."

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

The Historic Broadlind Hotel at Long Beach Convention Center
Work from home in paradise near Disney and Beach
Work from home in paradise near Disney and Beach
Garden Grove
Stay at this condo in Garden Grove. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Downtown Disney® District and Disney California ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Nice stay
"Nice and quick response. Very flexible"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2023

Work from home in paradise near Disney and Beach
Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach
Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach
3.5 out of 5
316 E Shoreline Drive, Long Beach, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach houseboat in Long Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and furnished balconies or patios. Our guests praise the clean rooms in ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (177 reviews)
"Would definitely stay here again. Clean, well maintained. Would recommend to anyone else thinking about this area."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Dockside Boat & Bed Long Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Garden Grove

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
439
" "5 - Excellent 39.30170098478066%
4 - Good
468
" "4 - Good 41.89794091316025%
3 - Okay
150
" "3 - Okay 13.42882721575649%
2 - Disappointing
35
" "2 - Disappointing 3.1333930170098476%
1 - Terrible
25
" "1 - Terrible 2.2381378692927485%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 19, 2020

There is a problem when I go on to look and book my flight not my flight I'm sorry book my motel only it'll give me one price and then when I proceed to the checkout it gives me a price and I did not book with you because of this today and it happene

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 3, 2020

I loved it! We will come again 殺

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Feb 23, 2020

I would recommend to friends and family to go in groups lots to do.

3/5 - Okay

BJ
Feb 16, 2020

It wasn't awful. But I'd rather stay somewhere where the doors are in the outside.

4/5 - Good

Veronica
Feb 4, 2020

Will visit again, thank you.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 8, 2020

Easy access to Universal Studios, San Diego Zoo and to Orange County Outlet mall.

Cities near Garden Grove