A Visit to the Newly Opened Anaheim Packing District

Inside the Packing House

Last month, I went with my family to check out the Anaheim Packing District, which had just opened up only two weekends before.  In addition to being open for business, being a Sunday, the Anaheim Packing District was holding their third weekly farmers’ market. Although we parked a bit further away than we needed to and ended up parking in a pay-to-park garage (tip: try parking right near the packing district – not only is it closer walking, but it may be free), it was a nice experience.

A scene from the third Farmers’ Market at the Anaheim Packing District

Upon reaching it, we saw the Packard Building, which houses Umami Burger and Anaheim Brewery, followed by the farmers’ market, which was taking place in the Farmers Park.  The farmers’ market was situated along a path of nice-looking wood and rails of some sort.  As the website describes it, it is “a beautiful two-acre park featuring a grassy knoll, redwood boardwalk, community gardens and olive grove.”  There was a nice selection of fruits, vegetables and more from over a dozen different vendors.

The Packing House has two floors and exposed beams

Then we proceeded inside into the Packing House, which houses all sorts of food and beverage options.  That’s really the focus of the Packing House – food.  Although one immediately notices the outside being a former warehouse, they have certainly done a nice job with it and, inside, it matches up nicely with the common current visual aesthetic of exposed beams, etc., with a lot of wood and metal.  As the website nicely describes it: “The restored Packing House is a food hall reminiscent of the great public markets of South America and Europe. … The two level Packing House features a large central atrium with communal dining surrounded by cafes and kiosks of varying sizes as well as outdoor picnic gardens and a building-length dining porch looking out to the outdoor marketplace, Farmers’ Park.”

Some shops are still opening

While most of the vendors inside have opened up shop (and some were only just opening that day), some have yet to open, so it’s not even totally there….

Musician at Farmers Market

They had music playing, both inside the packing house, as well as out by the farmers’ market, which gave the spaces some extra energy, which was a nice touch.

While we didn’t really eat, there seemed to be a nice variety of beer options there, especially at the Iron Press, with a nice amount of California (especially Southern California) beers on-tap.  There was also a very cool-looking bar, in the hardware/barn style, which was pretty novel. I’m certainly looking forward to returning to try out the beers there 🙂