The California theme begins before you enter the park's gates, with 11.5-foot-high letters spelling california like an old-fashioned picture postcard and beautiful, mosaic tile murals flanking the entrance gate portraying California scenes. A model of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge spans the entry area, and beyond the gates, a 50-foot-tall titanium-and-bronze sun gleams above a flowing water fountain.

California Adventure is divided into five areas, similar to Disneyland's “lands.” Each has a theme, reflected in its rides, attractions, and shows. The park is laid out around Sunshine Plaza, and if you lose your way, you can go there to get to any other part of the park.

Sunshine Plaza

Many of the park's guest services are located in Sunshine Plaza. In this area, you'll find a few shops and places to eat, and you can often meet and greet popular Disney characters, get their autographs, and take pictures with them. During the Christmas holidays, Santa also holds his Beach Blast in Sunshine Plaza.

You'll find a Wait Time board near Guest Services, just inside the entrance, where you can find out how long ride and attraction lines are and see listings of times for the live entertainment (shows and parades).

If you have a few free moments in Sunshine Plaza, you can get a peek at how Disney makes sure that this spot always lives up to its sunny name. Since sunshine can't fall directly on the metallic sun all day long, the Imagineers erected a bank of mirrors opposite the sculpture that follow the real sun and always reflect light toward the sculpture.

“a bug's land”

By far the cutest part of California Adventure, “a bug's land” looks like the characters from the film A Bug's Life must have built it themselves. Walk through the entry to Flik's Fun Fair and you'll find an area created just for the little ones, with only one ride that has a minimum height limit. Adults will enjoy the cute way it's built as much as the kids like the rides. You'll see hot-air balloons made out of leaves and paths lit by fireflies, and even the entry tunnel looks as though it's made from a cardboard box. Just outside the entrance, Flik and Atta often greet guests, and next door, you can see the 3-D show It's Tough to be a Bug.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot

This fun-filled area salutes Hollywood's past and present. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at Disney animation, laugh through a 3-D movie starring the Muppets, help Mike and Sulley rescue little Boo on a chase through Monstropolis, drop in at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, watch musical shows, and chat with Crush the turtle from the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo.

Golden State

The rides and attractions in this area of California Adventure salute California's diversity and heritage. Golden State is divided into six mini-areas simulating the legendary Edwards Air Force Base, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the state's “salad bowl” agricultural areas, Wine Country, seaside fishing ports, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

In Golden State, you can soar over California, take a whitewater raft trip, learn how things are made, have a gourmet meal served with a flight of award-wining wines, or eat breakfast with Ariel, the Little Mermaid.

Paradise Pier

The largest area of California Adventure looks like a seaside amusement park and has a “fun in the sun” theme. If you enjoy traditional amusement park thrill rides, that's exactly what's in store for you. Some of the rides are suitable for people of all ages (including young kids), but some are much better suited for thrill-seeking teens and adults. Of course, if you want a totally mellow experience, you can always skip the rides and check out the carnival games and shopping area.

In Paradise Pier, you can ride a screaming fast roller coaster or a Ferris wheel with a surprise, go mad on Mulholland Drive, swing inside a giant orange or in a silver space ship, and drop through a colorful kelp forest. This area is especially pretty at night, when all the lights reflect in the water.