Explore the wonders of the state of California – and the worlds of some of your favorite Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters – at Disney California Adventure Park, the second theme park of the Disneyland Resort. Located just across the esplanade from Disneyland Park, California Adventure (or DCA, as it’s colloquially known) is just a short walk away, making park hopping a breeze. 

California Adventure opened its gates to guests in February 2001, and it’s changed radically since its very first days of operation. Originally dedicated to the sights, sounds, and incredible wonders of California, the theme park has since added lands that delve into other worlds, such as Radiator Springs from the Disney/Pixar Cars franchise. Plus, throughout the year, California Adventure is a hub for exciting seasonal events, from annual festivals to exciting holiday celebrations.

Inside the park, you’ll find eight themed areas to explore, each filled with attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping. With something for everyone, from thrill seekers to outdoor explorers, there are plenty of opportunities to step inside different worlds as you move throughout California Adventure. With a similar footprint as Disneyland Park, you’ll want to take the time to explore all California Adventure has to offer over multiple days – and if you’re an adult who’s a foodie or festival fan, this is definitely the theme park for you!

Explore Disney California Adventure Park

• California Adventure Lands
• California Adventure Dining
• California Adventure Shopping
• California Adventure Entertainment
• California Adventure Transportation

California Adventure Lands

Avengers Campus

Photo by Dom Tabon

Step into the headquarters of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at Avengers Campus in California Adventure. This sleek and futuristic land is a former Stark Industries and Strategic Scientific Reserve complex, with Easter eggs straight out of Marvel movies. Here, you might run into Tony Stark – Iron Man – himself, as well as other Avengers like Dr. Strange, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, and more.

Home to one attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, the real heart of Avengers Campus is its cool theming. You’ll feel like you’re in an Ant-Man film when you dine at Pym Test Kitchen or watch Spider-Man soar over buildings. 

Buena Vista Street

Once you step beyond the turnstiles and enter California Adventure, you’ll find yourself on Buena Vista Street. It’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time thanks to the 1920s-inspired theming of the area, which is designed to evoke the period during which Walt Disney himself arrived in Los Angeles. Here, you’ll spot nods to Disney history, like the iconic Carthay Circle Theater (the site of the world premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937) and the Hyperion Bridge (which was under construction when Walt lived in Atwater Village). 

Home to attractions like the Red Car Trolley, which lends an authentic 1920s vibe to the area, and plenty of entertainment from character encounters to live performances by the residents of Buena Vista Street, there’s always something to explore in this lively, bustling area of the park. 

Cars Land

Photo by Nick Barese

Head down Route 66 and enter Radiator Springs from Disney/Pixar’s Cars franchise! A favorite of kids and kids at heart alike, Cars Land brings the scenery, characters, and stories of Cars to life in almost unbelievable ways, from the stunning rock formations of Ornament Valley to the shops and restaurants of the town’s main drag. It’s so realistic, you’ll hardly believe your eyes – especially when Lightning McQueen himself rolls down the street.

Home to attractions straight out of the films and animated shorts, you can join Lightning McQueen and the rest of the Cars cast on race day at Radiator Springs Racers, take a spin with Tow Mater in Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, or even dance with Luigi at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Rollsters. 

Grizzly Peak

You’ll feel like you’ve entered the towering redwood forests of Northern California or the Sierra Nevada mountain range when you visit Grizzly Peak. Themed to look like California’s National Parks in the 1950s, you can explore both a bit of state history and some incredible recreated landscapes. As you walk from Grizzly Peak Airfield deeper into the “wilderness,” you can follow trails with waterfall views – and of course, you can’t miss the giant stone bear looking over the area.

Home to attractions like the thrilling Grizzly River Run (which will get you wet!) and exploration-driven areas like Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, this area of the park is shady, rich with touches of nature, and a great place for a quiet respite.

Hollywood Land

Photo by Brian Shih

Indulge in some Old Hollywood glamour and revisit the Golden Age of the city! Inspired by Hollywood in the 1930s, Hollywood Land is where you can go behind the scenes of movies, stepping into some of your favorite films and shows while also taking a peek at how they come to life. Part backlot and part recreation of Hollywood Boulevard, a mix of beloved characters are known to pop up in this area of the park.

Home to attractions like Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! and Disney Junior – Live on Stage!, this land is a great destination for guests with little ones. From entertaining shows to opportunities to play and learn, it’s a hub for those who may be too small for thrill rides (and you don’t want to miss Turtle Talk with Crush!).

Paradise Gardens

Stretched along Paradise Bay and into California Adventure’s back corner, Paradise Gardens is a lively area filled with entertainment, exciting dining options, and rides for guests of every age and interest. Whether you love a classic corn dog or want to experience cultural celebrations like Dia de los Muertos and Lunar New Year, Paradise Gardens plays host to plenty of limited-time offerings.

Home to attractions like Goofy’s Sky School, a classic wild mouse-style coaster, the soaring Golden Zephyr that flies over Paradise Bay, and the kid-friendly Jumpin’ Jellyfish, this land is filled with rides, entertainment, and activities. But don’t overlook the food! As one of the park’s festival hubs, there’s always something exciting happening in the area.

Pixar Pier

Photo by Dom Tabon

Pixar fans of every age will adore the colorful and fun-filled Pixar Pier area within California Adventure. Whether you’re someone who loves Toy Story or your kids can’t get enough of Bing Bong from Inside Out, this is where you’ll encounter larger-than-life Pixar theming. Characters come to life at every turn, and there’s something for guests of every age along the pier, from classic midway games to scenic views from the Pixar Pal-A-Round to giant chocolate chip cookies.

Home to thrilling attractions like the Incredicoaster, which speeds along Paradise Bay along with Dash from The Incredibles, to the spinning emotions of the Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar’s most beloved characters dot the pier in rides, restaurants, and character encounters.

San Fransokyo Square

Hiro Hamata’s hometown in Big Hero 6 comes to life inside California Adventure! San Fransokyo Square, which opened in 2023, blends together the vibrant cities of San Francisco and Tokyo and infuses touches from this Disney animated film. Here, you’ll find a mix of cultures as well as nods to Baymax and Hiro’s epic escapades. Keep an eye out for Baymax himself, too; he’s known to pop into the square!

Here, you won’t find much in the way of traditional attractions, but you will find plenty of delicious food. Home to multiple quick-service restaurants, foodies will want to stop by San Fransokyo Square to grab a bite or a drink – though be prepared for crowds during peak meal times.

California Adventure Dining

At California Adventure, you’ll have a wide range of different dining options. You can choose from:

• Quick-service restaurants, which offer speedy, time-saving meals you can order and carry to a table of your choosing (or enjoy on the go)
• Table service restaurants, which offer a more traditional dining experience, with servers; these typically require an advance dining reservation
• Snack carts and stands located throughout the park, including popcorn and churro carts

While table service restaurants can require reservations, most restaurants offer same-day walk-up availability. Just keep in mind that these openings can be especially limited at California Adventure’s most popular restaurants, like Lamplight Lounge on Pixar Pier and high-end dining at Carthay Circle on Buena Vista Street.

California Adventure Shopping

Each land offers at least one store to browse, though the variety of options can vary quite a bit. Through the lands within California Adventure, you’ll encounter shops themed to their location. 

For example, shops line Buena Vista Street inside 1920s-inspired buildings – and each storefront offers a different mix of items, from holiday decor to home goods to sweet treats made by candy artists. Head over to Grizzly Peak, and you’ll find National Parks-themed shops with a selection of items inspired by the great outdoors and camping adventures.

California Adventure Entertainment

World of Color in action at Disney California Adventure Park. Photo by Jaysen White

There’s a wealth of entertainment to be experienced across Disney California Adventure Park – and it’s available all day long! While the “E-ticket” entertainment might take place later in the evenings, there’s plenty to see and experience during the day for guests of all ages, giving you a wide range of options. 

During the day, you can catch everything from cavalcades and parades to performances of the Buena Vista Street residents. After the sun sets, California Adventure’s Paradise Bay comes alive with projections, music, and stunning water displays with World of Color.

Just note that entertainment offerings do change regularly, so you may find that parades, nighttime spectaculars, and daytime shows change both in frequency and scheduled times. Always check the Disneyland app for the latest information about what’s available during the days you’re visiting. 

California Adventure Parades

Parades are less common at California Adventure than at Disneyland, but throughout the year parades and cavalcades do appear. Typically, this theme park will play host to parades during special seasonal events, such as the annual Lunar New Year Celebration or Pixar Fest. Unlike Disneyland, though, California Adventure rarely has a “staple” parade that returns year after year.

Here’s an overview of the parades and cavalcades that typically pop up throughout the year at California Adventure:

• Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration, which is a brand-new parade offered during the 2024 Pixar Fest
• Frightfully Fun Parade, an exclusive parade for the specially-ticketed Oogie Boogie Bash at Halloween Time
• Mulan’s New Year Processional, which features the year’s zodiac character and is hosted by Mulan and Mushu during the Lunar New Year Celebration

You can find out which parades are currently running at Disney California Adventure Park in the Disneyland app.

California Adventure Shows and Spectaculars

Don’t want to wait for a parade? You have other entertainment options, including stage shows, that take place throughout the theme park. California Adventure is home to the Hyperion Theater, which hosts long-running stage shows that guests absolutely love. Once home to Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular and Frozen – Live at the Hyperion, everything that’s appeared at the Hyperion has been a must-see engagement. 

Additionally, you can catch seasonal or limited-time shows during festival and seasonal celebrations at California Adventure. For example, during the annual Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs offers multiple shows daily. Little ones also adore the long-running Disney Junior Dance Party! show, which features preschoolers’ favorite characters and shows year-round. 

And you can’t forget about nighttime spectaculars – or, the sole nighttime spectacular at California Adventure, World of Color. This epic, color-infused show takes place on Paradise Bay and is an absolute can’t-miss. While it does change somewhat, with new limited-time iterations like World of Color – ONE and World of Color – Season of Light, every version of the show shines a stunning light on Disney characters, stories, and songs. 

California Adventure Characters

Daisy Duck and the rest of the Fab 5 are often found on Buena Vista Street. Photo by Danny Shuster

Whether you’re hoping to encounter Mickey Mouse himself in a special 1920s-themed outfit for some iconic photos in front of Carthay Circle Theater or want to see whichPixar characters are greeting guests during your visit, there are quite a few different ways you can meet and greet your favorite characters at California Adventure. 

You’ll find that you can meet characters one-on-one via experiences like:

• Character encounters throughout the park
• Designated character meet and greet locations

While some character meet and greet opportunities may require waiting in line, most of them are as simple as waiting in line! For example, you can often find Mickey Mouse, Daisy Duck, and other characters hanging out on Buena Vista Street, where guests can line up for an individual meet and greet. Pixar characters can also be found over in the Pixar Pier area – and don’t forget about your favorite superheroes who might be around in Avengers Campus.

California Adventure Transportation

If you’re looking for transportation that’ll get you to Disney California Adventure Park, you have just a few options:

• Walking from a local hotel or drop-off spot
• Driving your car (or a rental car)
• Taking a hotel or airport shuttle
• Taking an Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus

Most guests either walk from their nearby Anaheim hotel or drive in. If you’re driving, you can park at either the Mickey & Friends or Pixar Pals parking structures or the Toy Story parking lot. Once you park in these designated areas, you’ll either take a Disneyland tram or bus to the esplanade, where you can enter either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park.

If you’re taking a shuttle or using ART buses, you’ll be dropped off at the entrance to the esplanade to make your way into the theme parks.