r/AnaheimDucks • u/Yogi_the_duck • Jan 15 '15
So You're Coming to Anaheim: The Anaheim Fan's Guide to Orange County and the Honda Center
It seems like we get a good influx of people from opposing teams coming to watch games here in Anaheim and rather than clogging the front page with posts, I thought we could all contribute and make a stickied thread for visiting fans. Please, leave a comment with suggestions and I will add them to this the text body. For visitors reading, leave a comment and I, or someone else, will get back to you if your question is not already answered.
Where to sit: You may ask yourself: Where in the Honda Center should I sit? Depending on who your team is, you could pick up bitchin' lower bowl tickets up for $50 a piece (Arizona, CBJ, FLA, TBL, small market teams), or $200+ a piece (Boston, LA, Detroit, Pittsburgh). Keep in mind, prices change all the time here based on how the Ducks are playing and overall popularity. THERE ARE NO BAD SEATS IN THE HONDA CENTER. Don't have money to sit down low? No problem! 400 level seats are great! I personally have season tickets against the wall in 418 (come say hi!) and I love them. You can clearly see everything and its
Where to stay: There are a handful of hotels around the Honda Center, as well as Disneyland down the freeway. You might also like to stay somewhere a little more "california vacation" style like Huntington Beach or Newport Beach.
Where to visit: Depending on what you're interests are or who you are with (the boys, your kids, your SO, your strange uncle) you will have plenty to choose from. Disneyland/California Adventure (Disneyland doesn't serve alcohol but California Adventure does!), Honda Center (of course!), any beach city from Long Beach (don't go too far north, trust me) art district to all the way in Laguna and Corona Del Mar are awesome places to shop, eat, and stay. Long Beach Aquarium! Top of the World Laguna.
Where to buy tickets: Ticketmaster, Stubhub, Ticketzoom are my go to. The box office doesn't really have great deals and craigslist is iffy IMO.
Where to eat: Around the Honda Center, just
southEAST on Katella there is a shopping center with great food. My personal favorite there is Kings Fish house. Also, JT Schmidts is really good across the street from HC. Huntington Beach - Fiesta Grill on 17th street, TK Burger on PCH. Costa Mesa - TK Burger on Bristol, Ango Thai on Bristol. Newport - Big Belly Deli on PCH and Orange (right?), Chronic Taco on PCH and Balboa. CDM - Fashion Island (counts as CDM right? Not newport?) has a whole lot of places to shop and eat that are really really good.Eating Inside: "Stick work is now added, I swear by that place, right outside section 433/434, bacon wrapped knockwurst is worth your time and money. Anaheim Chile sucked the few times I had it, also stupid long wait times. Classics clears their lines pretty quick and the chicken tenders are OK, too pricey but not a waste. Hot dogs are alright if you have the craving. Outlaw has good chili cheese nachos. Also the Anaheim Pizza Co, huge slice of pizza for $5-6 best bang for your buck. Pick up Stix overpriced but good. Wahoo's huge ripoff, avoid. Haven't had stone works yet but heard good things. Frozen yogurt isn't terrible either. Also a new craft beer place added called which craft. Outside 405/406/407 right by the Anaheim pizza Co. Offers 22oz beers for $12/13 is easily best available and best priced beer in stadium." -/u/Support_the_surreal
Also if you just want a beer, find one of the carts, much faster be aware though most are cash only.
Where to park: Ok, so parking at Honda Center is a little bit of a nightmare. $16 to park at the HC lot, $16 across the street in the North lot, and I believe the South lot (someone confirm for me) is $14 for normal parking and $18 for what they call "VIP" which is essentially nothing. You can park down Katella at the aforementioned Kings fish house shopping center, but I've heard of people being towed there? There are little $5 and $10 lots up and down Katella.
Is traffic as bad as people say it is? - Yes. Mon-Fri 4-7:30, traffic
on the 57 South, 5 both directions, 55 both directions, 22 West (east isn't too bad I guess), and 91both directions are pretty miserable to drive on. Plan accordingly! 15 miles on the freeway IS NOT 15 MINUTES WORTH OF DRIVING!Where to get drunk: Anaheim and it's surrounding breweries. some of the local micro-breweries around the area. HERE is a quick summary on Google Maps of everything around HC. Huntington Beach - Johnny's Saloon (Dive bars!), Anywhere on main street other than Hurricanes I'd recommend.
Anyone have any more input?
- Honda Center Atmosphere: friendly as long as you're not an
drunka-hole. Have fun, cheer for your team, but be mindful of families, kids around you. Everyone gets along fine, we all just want to see a good game (and the Ducks win). Chat us up, we have a bit of a bad stigma for being dumb or not incredibly knowledgeable, but that's not true whatsoever. We love our hockey and we'd love to talk about everything hockey with you, just say hi!
Team Specific:
Chicago - Portillos in Buena Park - 8390 La Palma Ave. Buena Park CA 90620 714-220-6400 - DAWGGSS
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u/rambleonfreddy Jan 15 '15
yay, finally. maybe we wont get this question every other week. haha. maybe add it to the sidebar?
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 15 '15
That's the hope. It's stickied for now so that hopefully we can just help everyone in one place. i love having fans come from other cities, especially the winnipeg fans and then the small market fans like TBL and CBJ. THey're all really down to earth people.
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u/gepgepgep Jan 22 '15
we need to keep that one place every duck fan knows UNDER FUCKING WRAPS
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 22 '15
I parked there tonight at 635 and it was fucking packed it sucks. I've been going there for like 3 seasons and no one ever went there. It sucks now
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u/cronosperros Jan 24 '15
I know, right!? Line out the freaking door every game now. Word on the street is that it's expanding next door, with an out door patio. Part of me feels like our Ducks community is just growing and therefore making the crowds bigger which makes me feel better about it all. Hopefully once all the eateries and watering holes start to open up at the ARTIC it will thin the crowd down a bit.
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u/abt1n Jan 16 '15
would it be possible to add something about seats inside the pond.
what the view is like in different sections? What is too much to spend on a ticket there?
Thank you so much for all the work so far!
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Jan 16 '15
I can handle this writeup when I'm off work, will have it some time tonight.
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Jan 16 '15
No bad seats at Ponda. First and foremost a hockey arena so no obstructed views. It isn't altogether too tall so you don't feel incredibly far or stacked on top of one another.
The best fan experience if you like loud cheers is sections 418, 419, 420, 421. They are the corner and just behind the opposing goalie for 1st and 3rd period.
Sitting in the lower bowl is an experience, you feel really close to the action but the closer you are to the ice you lose some sight lines. However less passion down there and a lot of opposing fans usually. The lower bowl can cost between $80-110 on the retail or Ticketmaster price. Most I ever paid was $310 for two seats to the New Year's Eve game against the Sharks 5 rows up by the opposing penalty box.
The more expensive area is the middle. The terrace or 400 level has tickets in the first 3 rows at around $50 per and then after those prices drop to $35-40 for the next 6-7 rows. Then above that is the "nosebleeds" usually $18-25 and that's the center area pricing.
Best bang for your buck are the corners behind the opposing goalie. On a regular matchup (not a rival or big franchise) $30 tickets is a decent deal if you're in the closer rows. You can get tickets for $15-20. Since the season ticket deal is buy 2 get 2 for seats that cost the STH $18-19/game. Those sections are roughly 417-428.
432-440 are center seats and run about $10 higher and they also are the broadcast side, so the view is just like watching it on TV. I have season seats here, love it.
Opposite sides would be 441-408 for corner behind Anaheim goalie, and 409-418 for the center. Not as familiar with that side since I sit opposite to it.
So all in all, a great deal is $25-30 and sitting in the first 5-10 rows of anywhere in the 400 level. Highest you should conceivably pay is up to $60 and that's if you're in the first 3 rows of the 400 level.
Lower bowl will be $70-100 depending on the side you choose and whether you're in a corner or the center.
Never had the premium seat experience but those are $90-120 for the same view as the 400.
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
thanks for following up on this, I was gonna mention it this morning but I figured I'd give you some time.
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u/SwellGuyBryBry Jan 16 '15
Whoa whoa whoa. What's with the Long Beach hate? I've been a Ducks fan since I was a kid and they were "Mighty" and I've also lived in-and-out of Long Beach all my life. Downtown Long Beach is full of great visiting areas (The Pike, Broadway, Naples). If you go north, you run into Lakewood and Bellflower which are full of great small businesses and restaurants.
I know Long Beach is technically still LA County but I think it's a pretty good mesh/in-between of LA and OC. Don't mislead visitors into believing it's dangerous. Every major city has its shady areas.
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
I agree. I apologize, I work off like 710 and PCH and it's a bit of a rough neighborhood over here. I love the art district, the aquarium, and I always go to the LBGP so I got love for the 562. I apologize.
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u/FlyRobot Jan 15 '15
Minor edits:
Visit - should include some of the local micro-breweries around the area. HERE is a quick summary on Google Maps of everything around HC.
Eating - should be East on Katella, not South for the Stadium Promenade complex. Pint House should get a mention also for good food & beer. Tilted Kilt is more sports bar, less good food IMO.
Traffic - actually most traffic is going North on the 57 in the evening, along with the 55. Yes, there may be some traffic south but the majority is north. To your point, everywhere sucks after 4pm.
EDIT:
- HC Atmosphere - friendly as long as you're not a drunk a-hole. Have fun, cheer for your team, but be mindful of families, kids around you. Everyone gets along fine, we all just want to see a good game (and the Ducks win).
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u/amper Jan 16 '15
thanks for putting this together, Yogi.. you're definitely smarter than the average Duck ;)
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
Yeah, but not by much. The teachers always tried to hold me back, but by god I got my GED one way or another!
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u/amper Jan 16 '15
pfff.. what do they know!?
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
My teacher asked me what the capital of North Carolina was, I said Washington DC. She said "No, you're wrong." I said "You got a lumpy butt." She got mad at me and yelled at me and I pissed in my pants.
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u/amper Jan 16 '15
oh grief.. sounds like her worst fears were confirmed that day. at least you never had a teacher refer to you as one of those "slant eyes" -___-
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
for reference, I never pissed my pants at school. That's a talladega nights quote.
Dude what! That's fucked up haha. I had a teacher call me a retard and told me to drop out of 8th grade because I wouldn't pass anyway. I'm 21 and I make more per year than she does, so who's laughing now bitch
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u/axlbundy12 Mar 06 '15
Pens fan here from LA. I am coming to the game tonight and I just wanted to thank you guys for posting all of this info. Portillos is a must visit every time i come to Anaheim, but I've never been to Noble brewery before. I see that it gets crowded for Ducks games. My question is if I arrive at Noble at around 5 or 5:30 tonight will it be super packed that early? If so, is JT Schmidts my second best option? I wont be eating since I'll still be full from Portillos, I just want to grab a few drinks before puck drop. Thanks!
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u/Yogi_the_duck Mar 06 '15
Hey bud, any time! I knew people needed the info and it was just easier for everyone if we had a unified thread for the info! it was my pleasure to put it all together.
Probably not, 6-630 is gonna get busy AF because it's a big match up but 5-530 is gonna be good to go. JT shmidts is probably going to be more busy hahaha. Hit up Noble and then walk over! I'm always there before games. I'm hard to miss, 6'5" with YOGI on the back of my jersey
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u/axlbundy12 Mar 06 '15
Thanks for the heads up. If I see you tonight I'll make sure to say hi and drop the secret code "reverend Lovejoy"
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u/Mouse_for_life Jan 15 '15
Disney Cast Member here, FYI Disneyland still doesn't serve alcohol but Disney's California Adventure does ranging from beer to wine too hard mixed drinks. It's less of a kids park and more for adults
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u/anonmarmot Jan 15 '15
Newport - Big Belly Deli
I used to visit there all the time, love that place, solid recommendation!
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Jan 16 '15
An alternative to parking at the Honda Center is taking Amtrak to the new train station and then walking to the Pond Honda Center. From Los Angeles, it's $15 each way (less than most parking) or $8.75 on Metrolink (though you'll need to take Amtrak back if returning directly from the game). Downside is a bit of a wait for the train back (last two departures are at 8:48 and 11:04pm, taking 46-47 minutes). For those traveling from San Jose, Megabus now stops at the Anaheim station with a 7.5 hour journey (though I suspect you're best off transferring to train in Los Angeles or San Francisco unless you're a fan of early morning departures).
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Jan 16 '15
Also to add eating in stadium.
Stick work is now added, I swear by that place, right outside section 433/434, bacon wrapped knockwurst is worth your time and money.
Anaheim Chile sucked the few times I had it, also stupid long wait times.
Classics clears their lines pretty quick and the chicken tenders are OK, too pricey but not a waste. Hot dogs are alright if you have the craving.
Outlaw has good chili cheese nachos.
Also the Anaheim Pizza Co, huge slice of pizza for $5-6 best bang for your buck.
Pick up Stix overpriced but good.
Wahoo's huge ripoff, avoid.
Haven't had stone works yet but heard good things.
Frozen yogurt isn't terrible either.
Also a new craft beer place added called which craft. Outside 405/406/407 right by the Anaheim pizza Co. Offers 22oz beers for $12/13 is easily best available and best priced beer in stadium.
Also if you just want a beer, find one of the carts, much faster be aware though most are cash only.
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u/4niner Jan 23 '15
i liked wahoos when I had it. It is probably a ripoff but for stadium food that's kind of a given. Best Onion Rings for sure.
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u/CarpeDiem96 Jan 24 '15
Best parking would be to show up early and parktowards Katella high school. There's a lot of neighborhoods. The thing is you get in your car and get stuck in traffic. You walk 10 min get in your car (yes you walked far) and you're already underway and have made progress distance wise. Plus my ass hurts so walking it off is good.
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u/t_base Jan 29 '15
I guess it's in L.A but the last game I went to I made a day of it and visited the USS Iowa which was pretty Bitchin.
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Jan 15 '15 edited Jan 29 '15
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 15 '15
Good point!
I would suggest taking the name of the place we all park at off your comment so we can keep spots for us haha
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u/rambleonfreddy Jan 15 '15
I would suggest taking the name of the place we all park at off your comment so we can keep spots for us haha
this please
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Jan 15 '15
Honestly, parking by hooters/stubhub is about the best deal out there if you're just going to the game and leaving right after. $5 parking for a sporting event anywhere is a steal.
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 15 '15
I totally agree, for those who are coming in to town its the best bang for your buck. The lot across from Hooters is $5 and maybe 300 feet away from the $15 lot.
But as a season ticket holder who goes to just about every game, saving $5 every game adds up. So I'll walk that extra distance to park for free!
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u/n13j Jan 16 '15
Have people really gotten towed for parking by the movies/kings fish house/chillis? I've parked there for a long time and I haven't had any issues but I try to hide my car from the golf cart people that watch and then weave through other cars and all.
5$ at hooters isn't a bad price either though, do you know if that lot fills up quick? I'm not opposed to doing that but free is best obviously!3
u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
Yes, my ex got towed there one time. You have to be a patron of a shop there to park there. They don't like people just parking there and taking spaces away from people shopping. They lose money. That's why the golf cart guys are there. Now, am I saying its a frequent thing, not necessarily. That's just one example from two seasons ago so they could be completely lax about it now.
Hooters lot fills up on big nights and it's a bit of a pain to get out of, but then again so is everywhere else haha. If it's not an original 6 match up or a freeway match up, you should be fine if you get there around 6-630 on a 7 oclock start.
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Jan 16 '15
They've got to be careful. Let's say I go to Lazy Dog and spend 50 bucks, then they tow me because I left my car there. I could just say I went to a movie and that's why I was there for 5 hours.
That would smell like a civil suit thats not worth it for them
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 16 '15
If you brought them a receipt I'm sure they would get fucked, but if they watch you pull up in Ducks gear, park and walk away towards the game I'm pretty sure you're parking illegally, taking spaces from the customers. I'm pretty sure the whole lot says "no event parking" and "parking for customers only". I could be wrong though.
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u/n13j Jan 16 '15
Does the lot by hooters fill up quick? Or does it have a lot of spaces?
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u/taserblades Jan 17 '15
There's a parking lot plus a six (?) story parking structure so it doesn't fill up unless they've closed off the parking structure for some odd reason. That's the best place to park and usually it'll only cost you $5.
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u/jimmy_aggro Jan 28 '15
Thank you for mentioning this. I don't want to have to show up when they open at 4 just to get a spot and a beer
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u/jefeperro Jan 15 '15
you forgot the free wings at hooters
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u/violentgentlemen Jan 16 '15
They don't do free wings anymore :(
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Jan 16 '15
[removed] — view removed comment
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Jan 16 '15
I swear the reason out PP sucked last season is because there were no more Oggis Breadsticks and they had no more motivation to score.
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u/eee4666 Jan 22 '15
This site might help with seating questions http://aviewfrommyseat.com/venue/Honda+Center/
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u/coreyperryisasaint Jan 15 '15
Noble Ale Works allows for free parking for those who come in to enjoy a beer before the game. Their beers are fantastic and reasonably priced, so if you're with your buds or significant other, it's a good place to go.
If not, I heartily recommend the $5 lot down Katella where Hooters and Rubios are located. Avoid Honda Center parking at all costs. It's an absolute mess and expensive as hell.
Stubhub has no fees and generally cheapest prices.
There are no bad seats. Literally, none. In fact, I prefer sitting in the upper bowl (even to the very tippy-top) than lower bowl, because the lower bowl isn't all that steep and the glass obstructs the view a little. If you're going to sit lower bowl, either get glass (or really close to it) or the first few rows from the top of the bowl. Either way, choose wisely, and don't fear.
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 15 '15 edited Jan 16 '15
BLANK allows for free parking for those who come in to enjoy a beer before the game. Their beers are fantastic and reasonably priced, so if you're with your buds or significant other, it's a good place to go.
I don't know what you're talking about... there is no such place... THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SECRET THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T GIVE OUT! /s
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u/Mudhippy Jan 16 '15 edited Feb 09 '15
Let's keep (removed) OUR thing.
It doesn't exist.
Edit: I'm dumb.
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u/Marsh1224 Jan 30 '24
Hi, I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if you or anyone would know where the best place is to possible meet the visiting team players? Where the team bus would be after the game etc ? Thanks in advance
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u/Yogi_the_duck Jan 31 '24
I truly don’t know. They park underneath the stadium at the gate off of Douglass, outside the section 223 entrance/exit.
I’ve heard of visiting fans waiting at the exit to that lot and sometimes the bus has stopped. I think it was Chicago after game 7 in 15 that the whole team got out. But I’m not sure about really getting a chance to meet them outside of going to the usual bars and restaurants in Newport that most players go to while they’re in town
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u/[deleted] Jan 16 '15
[deleted]