Exploring the best of Austin, with cheap flights from Anaheim

Looking for a trending new city to explore? Consider Austin, Texas, one of the fastest growing large cities in the country and U.S. News & World Report's #1 place to live in the U.S. for the past two years running.

The self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is home to many students, artists and musicians, along with a booming tech industry and a classic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex food scene. Despite its growth, Austin seeks to maintain its eccentric local vibe, with plenty of independent businesses and a strong commitment to the local environment. Austin hosts numerous festivals throughout the year and boasts more music venues per capita than any other city in the U.S. The list of local attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways.

Thankfully, there are plenty of regular, relatively-inexpensive flights between Anaheim and Austin. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Cheapest Austin flights

The cheapest flights between Anaheim and Austin are if you leave on July 24 and return from Texas on July 29. Frontier Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $107.

There are also deals to be had in September. If you fly out of Anaheim on Sept. 16 and return from Austin on Sept. 20, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $174 roundtrip.

Top Austin hotels

To plan your stay, here are some of Austin’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center (1900 University Ave.)

For an all-around top recommendation, consider The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The hotel has a 4.8-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $129.

Located on the south side of the University of Texas campus, the AT&T Education and Conference center offers luxury hotel amenities and full conference center facilities, including intimate meeting rooms with arena seating smart classroom technology.

The Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande)

Another 4.8-star option is The Hotel Ella, which has rooms for $199/night.

The Driskill - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt (604 Brazos St.)

A third option is The Driskill - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. With a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, the hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city. Rooms are currently listed for $129/night.

A landmark in downtown Austin, this legendary hotel was built in 1886 as the showplace for cattle baron Jesse Driskill and has since become synonymous with traditional Texas hospitality.

Featured Austin food and drink

Don't miss Austin's food scene, with plenty of popular spots to get your fill of local cuisine. Here are a few of the top-rated eateries from Skyscanner's listings.

Uchi (801 S. Lamar Blvd.)

If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Uchi, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 104 reviews on Skyscanner.

"Amazing sushi," wrote visitor Katie. "It's up there against anything you'll have in San Francisco, New York City or elsewhere. They don't take reservations and it can get crowded."

Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.)

Also worth considering is Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

"Ahi Tuna Burger [and] handmade buns," wrote Wendy. "This place is popular so there may be a line but it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it."

Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.)

Finally, there's Home Slice Pizza.

Home Slice Pizza is an independent neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic New York-style pizza by the pie or by the slice.

"Whether you're into spinach pizza or the traditional cheese, this place is funky and fun," wrote Tiffany."People watch while you wait for your slice. Try the rice crispy treats."

Featured Austin attractions

To round out your trip, Austin offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews.

Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road)

First up is Barton Springs Pool.

As one of Austin's finest attractions, Barton Springs Pool is the perfect outing for those hot Texas days or even the cool ones.

"A must visit within Austin, especially in the summer," wrote visitor Nici. "This natural pool in the center of the city is provided [with] 76 degree water from a natural spring."

Zilker Metropolitan Park (2100 Barton Springs Road)

Then, there's Zilker Metropolitan Park.

Patrons will enjoy a huge variety of activities at Zilker Park. You can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, the Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, riverboat rides on Town Lake, concerts, festivals and even a miniature train.

"A great place to take a break from the bustling downtown," wrote visitor Tyson. "The large open space makes this a great place to play soccer or frisbee."

Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail (Lady Bird Lake)

Lastly, consider checking out Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail.

"Paddle boarding and kayak/canoeing are the most popular activities around Lady Bird Lake and I do suggest trying them at least once," wrote visitor Nici. "However, if you don't feel like being in the water, didn't pack a suit, or the weather isn't right, then I highly suggest biking around Lady Bird Lake."

This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.