Top Attractions for…
Garden Grove is filled with family-friendly entertainment, wallet-friendly dining spots, and cultural delights around every corner. The only question is, where do you start? That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up the absolute can’t-miss Garden Grove attractions for all types of visitors. Going on a group trip with a bunch of kids? Check out our top picks for families. Looking for some creative inspiration? See what’s on tap for art lovers. Just have a huge craving for delicious food? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the tastiest restaurants in town. So get your bucket list ready and let’s dive into the best of the best that Garden Grove has to offer!
Families & Kids
It’s easy to keep the little ones entertained in Garden Grove. Kick off your family vacation at the famously fun Adventure City. This kid-focused theme park packs a big punch with a classic wooden roller coaster, spinning cup rides, a mirror maze, miniature golf courses, and plenty of carnival games to win oversized stuffed animals. Cap off your day by catching a performance at the striking GEM Theatre, a gem of the historic Main Street District. This 800-seat venue hosts live theater, concerts, and other engaging family shows year-round. Looking for an educational adventure? Head over to Atlantis Play Center, where kids can explore an indoor play structure designed like an underwater wonderland. Let their imaginations run wild as they clamber through tunnels and caves surrounded by vibrant ocean-inspired decor and larger-than-life whale sculptures.
Arts & Culture
Creativity flows through the veins of Garden Grove. Just take a look at the ambassador statues scattered throughout the downtown streets or the colorful murals that decorate the city streets. It all comes together with the International West Coast BBQ Classic, an annual festival celebrating tasty international eats and local artisans. Get your fill of barbecue while browsing works of art from talented crafters, painters, and sculptors. Don’t leave without checking out the live bands and buskers, either! Art connoisseurs should schedule their visit around one of the Garden Grove Art Association’s art shows and exhibitions held several times a year. From paintings and pottery to sculptures and mixed media work, you’ll have your choice of hundreds of local artistic creations on display. Pop into the Courtyard Center and discover your new favorite masterpiece.
Foodies
With its diverse culinary influences that span Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, and beyond, Garden Grove is a bonafide paradise for foodies. The city’s Little Saigon district has earned renown for its bounty of authentic Vietnamese restaurants and is widely regarded as the capital of the Vietnamese culture in the US. Don’t sleep on classics like the gigantic broken rice plates at Tay Ho Bistro or the Instagram-worthy stacks of thick-cut bacon at Dos Bravos Bacon Truck. For a more upscale indulgence, splurge at Pür Haus Wine Bistro, where the seasonal small plates and international wine selection are just as enticing as the modern industrial-chic ambiance. Or maybe just satisfy your sweet tooth at Pandor Bakery, a beloved local institution that’s been baking up French-inspired cakes, pastries, cookies, and more for over 30 years.
Sports Fans
You may not have realized this, but Garden Grove packs quite an athletic punch. It’s the home turf of the Garden Grove Argos, an arena football team that splits its season between their city stadium and the Honda Center in Anaheim. So grab your face paint and draft beer and get ready to cheer on these hometown heroes. If you prefer your sports a little more…frozen, the city hosts a variety of youth hockey tournaments and leagues at The Rinks Anaheim Ice. This family-friendly facility offers public skating sessions for casual skaters and a training facility for potential Olympic champs alike. No hockey fan will want to miss the memorabilia and hands-on exhibits at THE RINKS Shot Hockey interactive museum adjacent to the rink.
Outdoor Explorers
Get your daily dose of sunshine and adventure at some of Orange County’s most pristine outdoor spaces, all just minutes from the heart of Garden Grove. Walk among ancient oak trees and native plants at the family-friendly Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. This 86-acre reserve offers fantastic nature trails and horticultural education programs for kids and budding botanists alike. On the hunt for more rugged terrain? Test your stamina on the East Ridge Trail at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, a moderate 5.5-mile loop that weaves around sandstone formations and offers prime OC skyline vistas. Keep an eye out for the local critters, including hawks, deer, and the park’s shredder lizards. Beach bums and birders will delight in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, a beautiful estuary and wetlands area full of hiking trails, pristine beaches, and ideal spots for birdwatching. Over 300 species have been recorded here, so don’t forget your binoculars!
Shoppers
Retail therapy, anyone? Garden Grove’s family-friendly shopping destinations offer wallet-friendly steals and plenty of opportunities to shop local. Set aside some time to browse the open-air SoCal Village, an outdoor mall brimming with antique stores, clothing boutiques, and mom-and-pop eateries. Hunt for unique curiosities and vintage treasures at Antique Centre Mall, a distinctive pink-colored antiques emporium. Or pick up some fresh California produce (and maybe some freshly baked bread too) from the stalls at the Garden Grove Farmer’s Market every Sunday. Need a convenient indoor shopping fix with big-box variety? Swing by The Promenade, a sprawling retail complex anchored by department stores like Marshalls, Old Navy, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. This central hub has everything from beauty salons to burger joints to cover your mall marathon.
How to Get Around Garden Grove
Garden Grove is car-friendly suburb within easy reach of major Orange County cities like Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and more. But that proximity comes with cons like traffic congestion and limited public transportation. Renting a car is always an option, but parking rates and driving logistics can quickly become a headache for larger groups. That’s where private transportation like buses and shuttles from Party Bus Garden Grove comes in. We’ll match your group size with the perfect sleek minibus or spacious charter bus, complete with experienced team who knows the Garden Grove area like the back of their hand. Everyone in your crew can relax in reclining seats with AC, free WiFi, and entertainment systems as we whisk you straight to your destination—no traffic drama or wrong turns necessary. Don’t stress the logistics; leave that to us!
Public Transportation
While Garden Grove does have a public bus system, it’s very limited in coverage area and service frequency. Most routes run Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with significantly reduced service on weekends and major holidays. For visitors and locals alike, the Garden Grove bus system is not a very convenient or time-efficient way to travel. That said, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) does have several bus lines that connect Garden Grove to neighboring cities like Santa Ana, Anaheim, and even as far as Long Beach. So public transit can get you to major regional attractions if you have ample time and patience. Just don’t expect to zip around the different corners of Garden Grove itself very easily using the city buses alone.
Taxis and Rideshares
Ridesharing services have become increasingly common in Garden Grove and offer a bit more convenience than the public buses. Frequent promos make Uber and Lyft tempting options for smaller groups traversing shorter distances. But even these services have limitations. During peak hours and holidays, surge pricing can cause rates to skyrocket unexpectedly. Finding an Uber or Lyft that can accommodate very large groups is also difficult. Traditional taxi companies offer a flat-rate alternative to the rideshares, but you’ll once again face capacity constraints. Most taxis can only seat 3-4 people comfortably. And as anyone who has been stranded curbside waiting for a taxi can attest, availability is not guaranteed and fares add up quickly over multiple trips. For groups, these fragmented travel options are rarely ideal.
Charter Buses
Why not travel as a complete group while enjoying optimal comfort and convenience? No more splitting up rides or racking up excessive costs. Party Bus Garden Grove’s selection of late-model charter buses and minibuses can accommodate groups of all sizes—from a modest 18-person shuttle to a palatial 56-passenger motorcoach tricked out with individual TV screens, WiFi, and even an on-board restroom for long-haul journeys. Best of all, your group will have a personal team to seamlessly shuttle you between Garden Grove hotels, top attractions, Orange County theme parks, and any other destinations while you sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ll help you discover the highlights while creating one less hassle to worry about. Call 323-380-3987 today to experience group travel made easy!
Ready to Get Started?
From the excitement of exciting attractions to the mouthwatering flavors of global eats, Garden Grove is bursting with undiscovered gems waiting to be explored. But there’s no need to navigate this suburban oasis alone! Party Bus Garden Grove has you covered with comfortable group transportation solutions and knowledgeable guides to ensure your Garden Grove adventure goes off without a single snag. We’ve spent years mastering group travel across Southern California, from the glitz and glam of LA to the beachy vibes of San Diego. Let us leverage that local expertise to bring Garden Grove’s many wonders to life, your way. Just imagine—your crew zipping around in a sleek motorcoach, snapping selfies in front of the GEM Theatre, stuffing your faces with Vietnamese street food, maybe even catching a few fly balls at the Garden Grove Stadium. Whatever Garden Grove experiences top your list, we’ll get you there in style. After all, you’re on vacation—kick back and leave the driving to us! Our 24/7 reservation team is ready to make it happen. Come see what this OC hidden gem has in store.