The Colony

Also known as the Anaheim Colony Historic District, The Colony encompasses roughly the same borders as those of the original German colony that was founded here in the mid-nineteenth century. During the late 1990s, the City of Anaheim adopted the historically focused name for the neighborhood and established preservation measures that would help to ensure that it would retain many of its historical structures and unique character. Following the boom years that were experienced for decades across the entire region after the opening of Disneyland in the mid-1950s, Downtown Anaheim, like many cities across the nation, experienced urban decay beginning in the 1970s. By the turn of the twenty-first century, however, serious revitalization efforts by the city helped to transform this community into the eclectic, vibrant and trendy mix of urban living that it is today. “The central location is great if you really want to enjoy what the city has to offer,” says local Realtor James Randolph of Candid Real Estate, says, “There are tons of attractions, from nationally famous spots Disneyland and Angel Stadium to smaller spots like The Grove," a popular music venue that hosts local, national and international acts.

The Colony has a mix of both renters and those who own their own homes. The housing stock in the neighborhood ranges from small bungalows and craftsman houses built in the early twentieth century to modern, amenity-filled condominium structures that have been recently constructed. A 1,400-square-foot townhouse in the neighborhood typically sells for $750,000 to $850,000, while single-family homes in The Colony usually offer between 2,000 and 3,500 square feet, and sell for between $1.1 and $1.5 million.

This relatively small, square-shaped neighborhood does not lack for choices when it comes to things to do and places to go. Filled with trendy restaurants, bars and upscale, walkable shopping districts, The Colony has something for everyone. From the photo-worthy Packing House, a former citrus warehouse-turned food hall, to the shops and restaurants of the historic Center Street Promenade, there is much that has been carefully redeveloped in the neighborhood. Given its origins as the center of the original Anaheim, the community also has museums and historic sites such as the Mother Colony House, the Muzeo Museum and the Anaheim Heritage Center. There is also a public ice-skating rink and several parks dotting the community, while the neighborhood has no shortage of grocery stores and pharmacies to serve residents as well.

The Downtown Anaheim Association hosts a series of regular events in the neighborhood throughout the year. One of the most popular is its weekly Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market, but it also hosts regular movie nights, pet adoption events, street markets, fitness events, children’s play opportunities and much more. There are also regular events at the Muzeo Museum and at other venues throughout the neighborhood.

While The Colony could never be accused of being the greenest section of the city, the one major exception is Pearson Park. This 20-acre community space is located in the northwestern quadrant of the neighborhood, opened nearly a century ago as Anaheim’s first city park in the 1920s and currently offers recreational opportunities for people of all ages. The park even houses Anaheim’s only public pool, in addition to a range of sports fields and playgrounds for children. The park’s historic feel gives it an extra bit of charm as well. The area has a number of additional, much smaller parks as well, mostly located in the southwestern section of the neighborhood and generally provide a playing field or two and playgrounds for children.

The local public schools are overseen by Anaheim Unified School District, and include Westmont Elementary and Sycamore Junior High. Anaheim High School, located in the neighborhood, is the third oldest high school in Orange County and has a B grade on Niche.

The Colony’s central location also makes it particularly ideal as a starting point to get almost anywhere in Anaheim and across Orange County and Southern California. A trip to Los Angeles to the northwest or San Diego to the south is relatively easy from the neighborhood. Despite its label as ‘downtown,’ the neighborhood is now largely residential and most major employers operate from elsewhere in Anaheim and beyond.

The Colony is highly walkable, making a visit to the shops and restaurants of the neighborhood easy by foot. The surrounding region is well-served by a significant system of freeways and roads so, in spite of its walkability, residents will require a car to get around. John Wayne Airport is about 16 miles south of Downtown Anaheim and LAX, in Los Angeles, is about 35 miles to the northwest.

While much of Southern California in general has the long-held reputation of being essentially suburban, made up of quiet and well-planned cookie-cutter neighborhoods, The Colony has its own unique vibe. Unlike much of the surrounding region, the neighborhood is very walkable and the wide range of trendy restaurants, bars, breweries and shops that serve the community give the neighborhood a vibrancy and uniqueness that is often difficult to come by in a region that is largely suburban.

Written By

Andrew Moreno

Photography Contributed By

Michael Rutt

Video By

TJ Wengert