Best Things To Do in Garden Grove, California

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Garden Grove, this blog is dedicated to everything there is to see and do in and around Garden Grove, CA. Garden Grove is a terrific spot to stay if you want to experience Orange County while being close to the big attractions Anaheim is known for.

California’s Orange County is home to Garden Grove, established in 1874. This was formerly a central agricultural region of the country. The city became recognized for its local food, such as walnuts and oranges. Garden Grove agriculture is still alive today, thanks to events such as the annual Strawberry Festival hosted here.

Garden Grove is a beautiful city with so much to offer. Many activities are suitable for all ages, from parks and gardens to museums and events. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity or adventure tour, we’ve got you covered! We have gathered a list of our favorite things to do in Garden Grove.

Things To Do In Garden Grove, CA – Activities & Attractions

1. Take in the Beauty of the Christ Cathedral

Christ Cathedral, formerly Crystal Cathedral, used to be the most significant glass building in the world in 1981. Today, it remains one of the most picturesque places of worship in Southern California. The Christ Cathedral campus is a prominent beacon. It is an expanding spiritual center for Orange County’s Christian faithful.

Crystal Cathedral is a Diocese of Orange American church in Garden Grove, California. The reflective glass structure has a capacity of 2,248 persons. The Hazel Wright Organ, one of the world’s most prominent musical instruments, is housed in the structure.

The structure served as Crystal Cathedral Ministries’ (now Shepherd’s Grove) main place of worship. In October 2010, Crystal Cathedral Ministries declared bankruptcy. The structure and its accompanying property were sold to the Diocese of Orange in 2012. Johnson Fain refurbished the building, particularly the inside, to serve the Catholic liturgy. It was inaugurated in 2019 and formally designated “Christ Cathedral.” It is the seat of the Diocese of Orange following the completion of construction.

Crystal Cathedral is home to the fifth largest pipe organ in the world: the Hazel Wright Memorial Organ. It has nearly 300 ranks, more than 300 stops, and more than 17,000 pipes. It provides listeners with a “surround sound” experience by playing from all four corners of the structure.

The original version of Hazel, as the instrument is popularly known, was created in 1982 by the Rev. Robert Schuller in the Crystal Cathedral. She was given her name thanks to the kindness of a donor from the Chicago region named Hazel C. Wright. Thanks to Schuller’s “Hour of Power” broadcasts, which millions of people watch each week, Hazel is possibly the most heard organ in the world.

2. Explore the Beauty of the Haster Basin Recreational Park

Haster Basin Recreational Park is a Garden Grove community park, formerly Twin Lakes Park. It contains jogging routes, soccer grounds, picnic shelters around the lake, and fitness stations. The park includes a large kid’s play area, a recreational and sports station, and complex equipment, and it is designed to engage children of all ages.

Haster Basin Recreational Park develops destinations and links people with nature. There are plenty of parking spaces at the park. The park features lit tennis courts, sports grounds, a shelter, and a gazebo. The park is handicapped accessible. The youngsters can use playground equipment.

There is a lovely loop route that circles Haster Basin. From Aspenwood Lane in the south, there is an access trail (gate open daylight only). Restrooms, a drinking fountain, parking, and a picnic area are located on the north side of this park.

3. Wander through the Charming and Historic Garden Grove Main Street

Visit Historic Main Street in Garden Grove to taste the city’s past. Here, you’ll find many period buildings and other cultural treasures.

Aside from the beautiful old town atmosphere and pleasant people, you’ll encounter Historic Downtown Garden Grove on any given day. You’ll also find fun! There are many attractions on the historic Main Street in Garden Grove. Live events and a trip down memory lane at the Classic Car Show every Friday night are just a few.

The region between Garden Grove Boulevard and Acacia Parkway is famous for its concentration of interesting antique shops. You can look for vintage artifacts and period pieces that will make good keepsakes there!

4. Watch Shows in the Festival Amphitheatre

The Festival Amphitheatre is a fantastic theater operated by the City of Garden Grove. An outside entity maintains it, and it is open to the public. Shakespeare Orange County plays wonderful Shakespearean works at the Festival Amphitheater.

There are no terrible seats in the house. There is a wonderful Courtyard with a snack area for intermissions and after-parties of the premier locations for the Garden Grove-based Indie Fest USA International Film Festival.

5. Explore the Stanley Ranch Museum & Historical Village

There are 17 historic structures total in the Stanley Ranch Museum & Historical Village, some authentic and some copies. Each building has its theme and coordinating antiques. Many of these buildings and artifacts are from the 19th century. Agnes Stanley donated them to the Garden Grove Historical Society in 1970.

Locals and historians in Garden Grove collaborated to protect the historical significance of these structures. Surprisingly, most of the elaborate decorations on the historic buildings in the village still have their original fixtures. Even the lamp posts along Main Boulevard are still original.

The focal home at the museum is the Ware-Stanley House, which was finished in 1892. Homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s are also in the location. The displays include Garden Grove’s earliest post office, established in 1877. You’ll also see the Electric Shoe Shop/Barber Shop and Garden Grove’s top fire engine, a 1926 American La France. The Walt Disney Studio Garage, which was moved to the old ranch site in the 1980s, is one of the most well-liked attractions.

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6. Join the Annual Strawberry Festival

This is one of the best things to do in Garden Grove to experience its local culture. Every year during Memorial Day weekend, Garden Grove’s main attraction arrives. One of the nation’s largest communal Memorial Day celebrations is the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival. The celebration honors the region’s agricultural roots.

If you’re in town over Memorial Day weekend, don’t skip the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, which is held here every year. You will be in excellent company. This is one of the biggest festivals in the western portion of the United States, drawing about 250,000 visitors each year.

7. Learn History at the Southern California Indian Center

The Southern California Indian Center aims to preserve the heritage of American Indians in Southern California. So if you want to learn more about this great culture, this is the place to go.

The center contains a variety of displays that will walk you through the history and culture of the American Indian people in Southern California, and you can even read a tribe newspaper here.

8. Shop for Asian Food at A.R Super Market

Eating Asian food makes visiting Garden Grove a much better trip. Garden Grove still has a strong Asian impact, with Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean inhabitants. Many Vietnamese refugees fled to Garden Grove after Saigon fell in the 1970s.

As a result, the city offers a plethora of great Asian eateries, Asian supermarkets where you can pick up imported goods, and even Asian bakeries that provide both conventional sweet delicacies and those with a Vietnamese-inspired twist.

Many people are unaware that Garden Grove has a sizable Asian population, and it would be a shame not to try some of the diverse produce on sale. Garden Grove is at the center of Little Saigon, North America’s largest and most active Vietnamese community.

Orange County’s Little Saigon is among the most populous and wealthy ethnic enclaves in the country. Vietnamese bakeries, cafes, and diners are abundant in the local shopping areas. Don’t forget to try some Bahn mi sandwiches and some creamy, buzzy Vietnamese coffee before you leave.

The A.R. Super Market has a wide selection of Korean specialty goods and a delectable Korean deli, making it the ideal destination to grab lunch or shop for a picnic in one of Garden Grove’s many beautiful parks.

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9. See the Historic Garden Grove United Methodist Church

Being the city in California with the most churches per resident is one of Garden Grove’s claims to fame. With that in mind, make a journey to the city’s oldest church, the United Methodist Church, which has existed for an astonishing 140 years. You can not only admire the church’s old architecture, but you can also attend worship while you are in town.

10. Have a great time at the Atlantis Play Center

Garden Grove Park is home to the Atlantis Play Center, also known as Atlantis Play Park. It’s a large public park with a play area. Adults are not permitted without children, and children are not permitted without adults. It is an ideal opportunity for quality time together. Atlantis Play Center is a dream for kids.

Parents have always favored taking their children to Garden Grove’s Atlantis Play Center. The four-acre park, themed after the lost city of Atlantis, has been amusing children since it opened in June 1963.

The concrete creatures and the sea serpent slide are great for kids to play on. There are also typical playground features, such as swings and climbers. There are many picnic spaces under the trees and a picnic area for parties or large groups.

The center is separated into various play zones with plenty of shady resting areas. Atlantis Play Center is the model for children’s parks. There is plenty of open space, clean facilities, inventive play spaces, and security. Bring your children for a day of fun or to celebrate a birthday.

This park is suitable for children to roam and explore. Around every corner, there’s something whimsical and unexpected. It’s a nice area to hang out in because of the old shade trees. The ocean theme quickly draws children in. A fun rhyming symbol accompanies each animal.

Live animals are roaming the grounds. There is fun play equipment for all ages. The benefits of solitude, privacy, and security are numerous. There are adorable clam shell drinking fountains embedded in rock. During the summer, they also offer a snack bar to get Otter Pops for 25 cents and other cheap meals.

11. Spend Your Day at Village Green Park

Village Green Park is one of the city’s oldest parks, making it one of the most well-liked. The park is noted for its calm atmosphere, which makes it a great spot to stroll around in the afternoon sun, and several locals come here to enjoy the grassy picnic places that abound.

The Village Green Park is the greatest spot to go if you want to enjoy your afternoon lying on green grass. It has a serene ambiance that immediately puts you in the mood to relax, and you may bring food and drinks for a fantastic picnic. Bring a blanket and some refreshments to enjoy the pleasant California weather and views.

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12. Have Fun at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

The Great Wolf Lodge Garden Grove is a popular family attraction. This water theme park and resort in Southern California has hundreds of exciting water slides and swimming pools.

Aside from its water features, it also has areas for an arcade, mini-golf, laser tag, a Build-A-Bear Workshop, and a complete calendar of fun events, classes, and entertaining shows for children.

13. See a Show in the Gem Theatre

The GEM Theatre in Garden Grove is one of the leading locations for both traditional and contemporary theatrical productions and is located along Main Street. This venue’s talent roster, consisting primarily of stage actors from Hollywood, is another reason to go.

In the 1920s, the GEM Theatre first opened as a vaudeville house. It was converted into a cinema theater in the 1930s. In 1979, the GEM Theatre was reopened as a location for live theatrical productions. After that, it continued to be known as one of Garden Grove’s top locations for live concerts.

14. Indulge in SteelCraft Garden Grove

The SteelCraft Garden Grove is a neighborhood food hall. It has some of the greatest restaurants in the area, with various cuisines to sate your appetite. It is located between Acacia Parkway and Garden Grove Boulevard on Euclid Street.

The collection of restaurants became one of Garden Grove’s most popular destinations. Hungry customers seeking a delectable supper go here to be satisfied. Everyone can find something they like in SteelCraft, from Mexican comfort food to American classics.

Choose from its featured vendors while you’re there! These include The Penalty Box, Bird Talk, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, Duck Donuts, La Taqueria Brand, Beachwood Brewing, and Barrio. You now have a place in mind to visit if you get hungry while exploring Garden Grove.

15. Enjoy a Meal at Route 22 Restaurant & Bar

Enjoy a fresh, modern, and trendy American restaurant in the “Uptown” neighborhood. A popular classic selection of dishes is offered in an American restaurant, satisfying both families and business travelers. Kids’ menu is available in this restaurant, too!

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