The Disney Resort is practically in my backyard. Throughout the years we learned a lot about Disney’s parks, hotels, shopping, and restaurants. In these pages, we will share our knowledge with you.

​California Adventure offers many dining options. You can get a quick snack from places like “Corn Dog Castle” or “Cozy Cone Motel” or you can get lunch for a casual dining place like “Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill” or “Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta”.

For an overview of California Adventure, go here.

Snacks and Casual Dining

If you are in the mood for something casual, go to “Award Wieners” where they serve delicious sausage and hotdogs.

For food truck experience, try the “Studio Catering Co.” for some corn dogs, chips or caramel popcorn.

For dessert head to “Schmoozies” for some great fruit smoothies.

Paradise Pier Ice Cream Company

For a snack, you have to visit this soft-serve ice cream stand. The lines are long, but it worth the wait. They serve the usual cup or cone – vanilla, chocolate or swirl. But they also serve coke or root beer floats.

Smokejumpers Grill

​Right next to “Soarin' Over the World” you can enjoy cheeseburgers, chicken and ribs. You can customize your burger by adding your own toppings.

Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

Grab your authentic Mexican tacos, burritos or tamales and take them to the shaded outdoor patio. 

Upscale Restaurants

If you really want to enjoy an upscale experience, try “Carthay Circle” or “Wine Country Trattoria. Those places require advance reservations and some offer the World of Color dine and show package. 

Carthay Circle

A fine dining restaurant that offers mouth water dishes like “Crisp Duck Confit” or “Herb-Crusted Lamb Scaloppini”.  For dessert, you should try the “Tahitian vanilla bean crème brûlée tart” or the “dark chocolate mousse bar”.

Mendocino Terrace

If you are thirsty from some beer or wine, you can order it from this counter service and find a place to sit and relax. Some standing only tables have a great view of the park. 

​Lamplight Lounge

For a luxurious sit-down dinner, try the Lamplight Lounge with seats on the lake and overlooking Paradise Pier and the Roller Coaster ride. 

The view is great but the food is even better. During my last visit, I had the Cheddar Burger with fries. The burger was cooked to perfection and fries were seasoned and very tasty. For my drink, I chose the Open Ocean - a frozen raspberry and rum drink. 

Wine Country Trattoria

Experience a Napa Valley Winery in a Mediterranean garden setting with delicious Italian dishes and a great wine selection. 

I love sitting on the patio overlooking the lake and Pixar Pier rides while sipping wine and enjoying great tasting food. 

On a recent visit, we tried the Osso Buco (Slow-braised Lamb) and the Veggie Lasagna. Both were very tasty. For dessert, we ordered the Wine Country Tiramisù and we loved it.

Storytellers Cafe

Another great option for dining when visiting California Adventure is this Buffet restaurant inside the Grand Californian Hotel.

The buffet offers quality salad, soup, pasta dishes, chicken, Prime Rib and Turkey cuts. 

The dessert station is also full of tasty treats and the cocktails were amazing.  

An added bonus to dining at storytellers is the special entrance into California Adventure. This entrance is inside the hotel and usually with very short security lines.