Is Anaheim Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On September 8, 2022
Anaheim, United States
Safety Index:
73
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
92
* Rated 92 / 100 based on 5 user reviews.

There’s a good chance if you’re heading to Anaheim, California, you will go to Disneyland.

More than 25 million people come through this Southern California city each year.

Anaheim holds more than just Disneyland, including the home to two major league sports franchises and quick access to some of California’s best wilderness parks.

Just to make sure you’re in the right place – Disneyland is in California and is next door to California Adventure Park.

Disney World is in Florida and is home to four theme parks and two water parks.

FWIW – Disneyland opened first in 1955, with Disney World opening in 1971.

Anaheim is also where you can find a district called The Platinum Triangle.

This is the area around Angel Stadium, where the Angels play baseball, and the Honda Center, where the Ducks play hockey.

There’s been a community battle brewing for years about a “Tale of Two Anaheims.”

The tourism corridor looks vibrant and lush, while some of the neighborhoods are more run down with few amenities a wealthy city Anaheim should provide.

Then you have the upper-class Anaheim Hills, nestled up to Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve.

Warnings & Dangers in Anaheim

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Looking at the crime data, there's a low risk. Violent crime is lower than the national and state average, but property crimes are higher due to an increased theft rate.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Anaheim Regional Transit (ART) is the public bus system throughout the city. Download the A-Way WeGo app to see routes and fares. OCTA is the public bus and rail system around Orange County. Most hotels are going to offer a shuttle service to and from airports. Rental cars are available, and taxis and rideshares are everywhere. There's low risk with any option but search for free rides before you start paying for them.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

This is a high risk here, with a staggering 730 pickpockets reported in 2020. With so many tourists here, and conventioneers bringing high-value equipment, pickpockets are experts at blending in with the crowds and finding the perfect chance to steal something. The average loss from a pickpocket theft was $8,300. Wow.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

I'm writing this over Labor Day weekend as Anaheim is facing an Excessive Heat Warning, so there's definitely a risk there. Wildfires and earthquakes are other big risks in this region. Winters are mild, snow is extremely rare, and tornadoes are unlikely.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The robbery rate is about 40% higher than the national average, but there's a much larger risk of being pickpocketed or having your car broken into. With so much security around Disneyland and the convention center area, violent crimes aren't quite as common.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk as Disneyland and Disney World are two of the top potential targets in the United States. On top of that, Disneyland is part of the second-largest metro area in the country.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The city of Anaheim lists scam alerts on its website, but the majority of complaints are about utility scams and IRS scams. Here's something I cannot stress enough - do NOT take anyone up on their offer to give you "discounted" Disney tickets. These scams keep happening over the years, breaking the hearts of children and parents. Yes, tickets are expensive, but you should only buy them from Disneyland's website to make sure you'll get access to the parks.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

There is a low risk for women traveling here, and many of them have no choice but to do so for business. I can tell you, as a woman in my 30s, I visited Anaheim twice - once for a convention and once for work, and I never felt unsafe. I also used standard safety precautions and didn't leave the convention or Disney area. You'll need to be smart when walking at night and stay aware of your surroundings. Don't park in dimly-lit areas and use valet if you can, so you're never alone in a parking garage.

Tap Water Risk

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance in a long list of tests, but there was one violation for failure to report during a one-month period in October 2021. There is no reason to indicate any water quality was compromised, as this was a reporting error. However, there's no way to be certain of that. Testing before and after the missed month showed the water met all the required standards.

Safest Places to Visit in Anaheim

Disneyland and California Adventure Park will be the top places to visit here, but you want to do plenty of planning ahead of time.

There are so many different levels of passes and length of visit options, plus the add-ons for meals or lightning lanes.

If you want to see the Avengers Campus, you’ll need access to Disney’s California Adventure Park, while Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is at Disneyland.

The parks have special attractions and events that happen during Halloween and Christmas.

The Anaheim Packing District is history, nature, and food adventures all wrapped up into one section of town.

There are two stories of food options in the Packing House, and reservations aren’t allowed.

Live music plays almost every day and night of the week, so check the schedule before you go if there’s an artist you’d like to see.

Flight Deck in Anaheim is a great way to explore your inner Maverick and fly like the team in Top Gun.

You get a full suit, training, and a virtual experience you won’t soon forget.

You can also fly a Boeing 737 if you want a less rigorous ride.

Head to South Anaheim for a trip to Little Saigon, where you can shop and eat Vietnamese specialties.

Be sure to arrive hungry because Pho is one of the most popular dishes here.

You can get food to go or dine in.

The Resort District is just south of Disneyland and full of hotels with an abundance of dining options.

The Anaheim GardenWalk is also in this district, with a bowling alley, House of Blues, and plenty of nightlife options.

I walked from the bowling alley here to my hotel across from Disney at night without a single concern.

There were plenty of other people on the streets, and I even got a great view of Disney’s fireworks on the way back.

Near the Anaheim Hills neighborhood, visit Oak Canyon Nature Center or explore the Santa Ana Mountains.

There are great opportunities for wildlife viewing, skyline views, and unique California plants and flowers.

From Anaheim, you’re also about 30 minutes from the beach, with Huntington Beach and Newport Beach being the closest options.

Places to Avoid in Anaheim

West of I-5 (or “The 5” as it’s called) has lower crime rates than east of I-5, but overall, you shouldn’t run into a shady neighborhood by staying in the tourist corridors.

There are plenty of places to explore in this area, and unless you are heading to the mountains, you don’t need to go east of the Orange Freeway.

You might want to avoid finding a hotel farther away from Anaheim just to get a lower price.

The costs you’ll spend on parking, transportation, and sitting in traffic will far override the benefit of a lower price.

I was concerned when I went to Anaheim for the first time without a car, and it turns out I wouldn’t have used it if I had one.

Everything was just so easy to get to.

Remember those fireworks I mentioned?

They go off every night.

One night was cool, the second night was a novelty, and by the third night, I was over it.

Ask if you can get a room that faces away from the park if you don’t want to hear and see the fireworks every night.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Anaheim

  1. Download the My Anaheim app to have a direct line of contact with the city. You can report suspicious activity, make note of a pothole or broken street light, and ask questions during your visit.
  2. Disney has several variations of its app, and some levels of access cost more. For example, the Disney Genie app is free to help organize your trip, but the Genie +(plus) service will cost $20 per ticket per day with some additional bells and whistles. The costs can add up quickly because it seems around every corner there’s a way you can pay more for something.
  3. The Anaheim Police Department has a live crime mapping tool on its website where you can search for crimes like car break-ins, pickpockets, robberies, and sexual assaults near your hotel or a district you want to visit. It’s updated every 24 hours and checked for accuracy.
  4. While you’re on that section of the website, sign up for crime alerts. You’ll get notified of police activity that impacts public safety or impacts traffic.
  5. During the summer, when the heat gets intense, there will likely be advisories from the utility company to conserve power and limit use as much as possible. It will be recommended to keep the A/C at 78°(F) or higher and limit cooking during busy times, like dinner hour. This is all to avoid rolling brownouts or blackouts, so do your part to help conserve energy.
  6. Look for the “Be Ready” section of the Anaheim city website. This is a great resource for how to handle earthquakes, wildfires, or rain. (Yes, even a little bit of rain can throw SoCal for a loop!) Heavy rains can also lead to flooding or mudslides, especially in places previously impacted by wildfires.
  7. During the fall and winter, you can expect the possibility of Santa Ana winds. These winds can range from annoying to destructive and are dreaded because they can spread wildfires quickly. They also kick up a lot of pollen and other allergens.
  8. You can call 311 at any time in Anaheim to ask questions about city services in general. Representatives are available to speak English or Spanish. In Orange County, you can dial 211 if you have a need for services like a crisis situation.
  9. If you are going hiking, be aware there are coyotes in this region. While the animals will generally stay away from you, sometimes they might give you a good scare. Wildlife officials recommend flailing your arms and screaming at the coyote – a movement known as “hazing.” Never turn your back on a coyote or try to outrun one. Don’t leave any food containers open during your visit, and never leave food trash behind.
  10. You’ll notice a lot of homeless people around Anaheim, trying to get money or food from tourists. If you have a complaint or safety concern about a homeless person, call the Community Care Response Team at (714) 820-9090. They are expertly trained to help homeless people.

So... How Safe Is Anaheim Really?

For a tourist or visitor on business, your biggest safety concern will be pickpocketing or theft of personal belongings.

With thieves going for laptops and other valuable devices, don’t be so worried about your wallet that you’re not paying attention to your tablet.

Avoid putting your wallet in your briefcase, since that could give a thief a two-for-one.

Using a device like an Apple AirTag is a great way to keep track of your stuff if it goes missing or gets taken.

Always have a copy of your mobile device codes and unique numerical identifiers.

It’s easy to get a false sense of safety in Anaheim, with everything appearing so shiny and clean.

There are neighborhoods in Anaheim where people live off of food stamps and feel there’s a disparity in the sharing of resources across the city.

In August of 2022, a teenager was walking home from work when a car pulled up, asked if he was in a gang, and shot him to death when he said no.

Those aren’t headlines you’re going to see outside Disneyland.

It’s still part of Los Angeles’ metro area, which has gang problems.

You might be in the Happiest Place on Earth, but the crime rates not only change by the city in the Los Angeles Metro Area – they can also change just a few streets over.

The best advice is to stay where the tourist attractions are and avoid going into the neighborhoods.

Don’t walk alone at night and always carry as little as possible when you are walking around.

How Does Anaheim Compare?

CitySafety Index
Anaheim73
San Diego67
Miami55
Honolulu65
Chicago65
Dallas64
Memphis54
Melbourne (Australia)80
Montreal (Canada)81
Sydney (Australia)80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)71
Vienna (Austria)88
Hong Kong (China)70

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

You'll need a passport and a U.S. Visa if you visit from outside the country. This process can take several months, so start planning early. If you rent a car, keep your passport on you as Anaheim police are known to do random driver's licenses and DUI checks.

Currency

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here and don't carry cash around with you. Disneyland does offer a contactless way to pay for everything. Every business is going to take credit cards. Set spending limits per day on your card to avoid fraud, and check your purchases each night to ensure everything lines up with what you spent.

Weather

Weather

This area gets nice weather throughout the year, and you can generally get by in shorts and a t-shirt, with a couple of hoodies, just in case there are cool nights or mornings. Be sure you have comfortable walking shoes as you'll be on your feet a lot.

Airports

Airports

The most popular airport for a trip to Orange County is John Wayne Airport. The only caution there is that the takeoff is a bit rough. Planes must reach a certain altitude quickly to comply with the noise ordinance, so it can feel more like a rocket taking off than a plane. Long Beach International Airport, Ontario Airport, and LAX are other options, with LAX being the largest.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

You'll want travel insurance, and make sure you have protection and insurance plans for your mobile devices here. Driving in LA is a thrill ride in itself, so confirm what accident protection you have if you're renting a car.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Anaheim Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 15° C
Feb 15° C
Mar 17° C
Apr 18° C
May 20° C
Jun 22° C
Jul 24° C
Aug 25° C
Sep 24° C
Oct 22° C
Nov 18° C
Dec 15° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
212123242527303130282421
Low
°C
991112141618181715119
High
°F
707073757781868886827570
Low
°F
484852545761646463595248

California - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Alameda86
Alhambra84
Anaheim73
Bakersfield66
Barstow62
Berkeley64
Burbank86
Chino Hills82
Chula Vista81
Compton41
Concord74
Costa Mesa83
Daly City76
El Cajon86
El Monte76
Escondido91
Eureka87
Fairfield85
Fontana68
Fremont74
Fresno38
Fullerton74
Garden Grove78
Hawthorne62
Hayward87
Hemet65
Huntington Beach78
Indio89
Inglewood68
Irvine82
Lake Forest83
Lancaster64
Livermore87
Long Beach63
Los Angeles56
Merced92
Milpitas91
Mission Viejo85
Modesto64
Moreno Valley82
Mountain View87
Newport Beach84
Norwalk79
Oakland57
Oceanside85
Oxnard63
Palm Springs65
Palmdale78
Pasadena78
Pomona61
Rancho Cucamonga91
Redding71
Redlands86
Redondo Beach88
Redwood City85
Rialto58
Riverside57
Sacramento51
Salinas64
San Bernardino63
San Diego67
San Francisco61
San Jose58
San Leandro78
San Luis Obispo88
San Mateo84
Santa Ana71
Santa Barbara72
Santa Clara82
Santa Clarita76
Santa Cruz94
Santa Monica64
Santa Rosa91
Simi Valley84
South Gate63
Stockton38
Sunnyvale87
Temecula87
Thousand Oaks86
Torrance86
Union City88
Vallejo65
Ventura76
Victorville63
West Covina88
Yreka93

Where to Next?

5 Reviews on Anaheim

  1. Pretty safe

    Spent 3 days in Anaheim coming from one of the Safest Asian cities, and felt quite safe. Neighborhoods were quiet but not desolate. Most people were very friendly, and the streets were clean. The packing district was great and there were lots of things to do here. Ended up walking around at night and in the early morning and still felt safe. The only issue is that there was lots of traffic.

  2. J
    Jordyn Salazar says:

    The city is well-maintained, and I encountered friendly locals. It’s always essential to stay vigilant, but overall, I had a positive and secure experience.

  3. M
    Malia White says:

    Anaheim is a fantastic destination with a strong emphasis on safety. During my stay, I explored various attractions without any concerns.

  4. M
    Micah Lee says:

    From theme parks to downtown areas, the city is well-managed, and we felt comfortable exploring every corner. A great choice for a worry-free vacation!

  5. I
    I live in Orange County says:

    Streets I would avoid in Anaheim unless you have a destination to go to (like a store or clinic):

    Junction of Brookhurst and Ball

    Glenoaks, Glencrest, and Greenleaf aves near Euclid, behind the Jolibee area, those apartments are not the safest. If you are visiting someone and have a destination to go to you should be fine, especially at Anaheim Plaza, but these aren’t places I would wander aimlessly around.

    Beach Blvd: Adventure City is on Beach Blvd, and it’s safe if you are going to a shopping center or to Adventure City, but there is a lot of sketchy activity on Beach Blvd. I wouldn’t wander around Beach Blvd after sunset

    All or almost all of the parks have a homeless community. Avoid the parks at night, but during the day you should be fine

    Stanton is sketchier than Anaheim. I had an extremely sketchy time at Stanton Park on Beach and Katella. They had to shut down the bathrooms there due to stuff happening

    Overall, its ok in Anaheim. I would avoid wandering the streets at night. Anaheim Hills is much fancier than Anaheim proper.

Anaheim Rated 4.6 / 5 based on 5 user reviews.

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