The Golden State is a conglomeration of five other smaller themed areas including: Condor Flats, Bountiful Valley Farm, Golden Vine Winery, Pacific Wharf, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area and The Bay Area. Each of these areas represent a portion of California, from the Yosemite backwoods to the decommissioned Air Force test bases that dot the desert landscape.

Modeled after Cold War era Air Forces bases and air test locations, Condor Flats leads Guests down an old runway though an air test center. Test engines as well as old airport equipment are sprinkled throughout this themed area. The restrooms and Fly N' Buy shop are themed to look like old garages seen on the side of many airfields. Soarin' Over California and Taste Pilots Grille are housed in hanger-like structures.


The themeing in this area is second only to that of Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. Lights and runway numbers are included in the runway theme of the walkways. Red lights adorn the top corners of all the buildings, and the sign at the entrance is attached to an old radar antenna.

Continuing in the high quality tradition of Condor Flats, Soarin' Over California is one of the most memorable experiences Guests will have at the park. Unlike any other attraction at either California Adventure or Disneyland, Soarin' Over California takes guests on a breathtaking journey over many sites from the Golden State.

The trip begins as Guests board oversized hang gliders, where their feet dangle freely below them. After the all clear is received from the tower, the amazing flight begins. The hang gliders are lifted into the sky with clouds flying past to reveal a view from high above the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The journey continues on past mountain ranges, Yosemite Valley, Palm Springs, and through many other destinations throughout the state ending up at Disneyland Park with fireworks launching high above.


Those with a fear of heights will find this an even more exhilarating experience, as there are numerous times were it feels as though the glider is going to tilt forward and sweep the back side of a mountain peak, with only a small seat belt restraining Guests. This thrill only adds to the amazing and relaxing feeling created by this one of a kind attraction. The combination of picturesque sites, wonderful musical score and other added touches such as scents make this attraction a must see for every Guest to the park. This is one attraction that no words can describe and must be experienced to feel the true scope of what is presented.

"Bear[ing] Left" as the large billboard reads leads guests into the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area from Condor Flats. Being a fan of the Sierra backcountry of California, this land helps to add part of the state's natural beauty to California Adventure.

Any nature lover will immediately notice the little details in signage and props throughout this land. Dark brown signs are present throughout, warning Guests to "Watch for Rocks" or letting them know if Grizzly Pass is open or closed due to snow. Even the walkways are old dirt covered roads, with patched over potholes and off road areas.

Towering above it all is Grizzly Peak and Grizzly River Run. This water thrill ride is run in old logging and mining areas by a modern day white water rafting company. Guests board eight seat rafts to embark on a journey where everyone is bound to get dizzy and wet.

The first trip is up the ramp, where old leaky pipes and equipment spray Guests with water. From there the real adventure begins. Along the way one drop gives the first truly drenching experience and helps to start the spinning that doesn't seem to stop until the end. Signs and props are found throughout. The final thrill comes as rafts approach the drop where they are spun as they begin to descend. They continue to spin through the geyser area and until they are stopped near the unload area.


On cooler winter days many of the wet water effects are turned down so that Guests do not get as soaked, but during the summer expect to get completely drenched. Even with the lessened effects many walk off the attraction much wetter than those walking off Splash Mountain in Disneyland. Once temperatures reach summer level in the Disneyland area, Grizzly River Run will be an extremely popular attraction.

This children's play area is the Tom Sawyer Island of California Adventure. From its rope walkways to rope swings, this is the perfect place for kids to explore and get out that extra energy. The attraction offers many different games for children to play with. Younger guests can spend time identifying animal footprints and learning about redwood trees. There is also the Awhanee Camp Circle where storytellers and rangers come to tell stories and give informative lessons.

Creating a pathway from Grizzly Peak Recreation area to Paradise Bay, this miniature recreation of a street from San Francisco creates a home for the Golden Dreams history of California movie.

The history of California presented in this attraction will be loved by some and hated by others. Many have found this to be a very emotional film, with its stories on California's oppression and checkered past. Others left with a bad taste from the film while looking for a more patriotic review of the states history.


The Spirit of California, Califia is played by Whoopi Goldberg, who leads Guests on the historic journey. Those who enjoy Whoopi will probably find some enjoyment in the film while others will probably be waiting for it to finish. Guests who are part of the vast right wing conspiracy of Orange County citizens will find the attraction summed up perfectly by a comment made by a small child while exiting the attraction: "Daddy, didn't California have two men who became president, I didn't see any?" The father then noted that he did see one of the two and members of the Intercot West staff have seen the second, but those in the aforementioned group will understand the small child's comment after seeing the attraction.

The Bountiful Valley Farm attempts to recreate California's Central Valley, which is one of the largest pieces of farmland on the West Coast. This area is meant to be an educational experience for those locked in the urban and suburban sprawls of Los Angeles and the rest of the country.


Created in much the same spirit as agrifuture in Disneyland's Tomorrowland, the Farm lets Guests see first hand how many of the fruits and vegetables they eat daily sprout from small seeds into their more recognizable forms. Many adults and children alike have never seen carrots growing other than in the cartoons or on television. Caterpillar tractors are available for Guests to climb into and take pictures. A small water play area allows Guests to cool off on hotter days.

This very entertaining attraction has burrowed its way into California Adventure from Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. The attraction itself is unchanged, keeping all the bugs that were present in the Orlando version.

The bugs have decided to give us humans a preview into what their world is like. Along the way we also learn what stink bugs smell like, get shot by the terminator and watch as Hopper, the grasshopper from A Bug's Life takes over the show.

It's Tough to Be a Bug continues in the fully interactive 3D movie style attraction, with very little limit on the amount of real life effects. Because of this younger Guests may find the show very frightening, not to mention adults who aren't the biggest fans of creepy crawlies.

Hosted by Mondavi, the Golden Vine Winery acts as a micro-winery, wine tasting bar, sit down restaurant, deli shop and minor attraction. The Winery is in nestled against Grizzly Peak in a Spanish mission style traditional of the Mondavi winery in Napa, California. The building hosts a second floor restaurant, which is home to a Napa style food restaurant. Guests purchase a full meal, selecting from options for each course and the wine they would like at each time. Service is family style, with all sharing from the same dishes served.


On the first floor of the Winery building the Wine Country Market offers a deli for very nicely done sandwiches and meals. The lower area is also home to the wine tasting, which runs seven dollars on up for tasting. This price is comparable to that of the Mondavi Winery in Napa.

A large stone structure sits across from the micro-winery and hosts the Seasons of the Vine movie, which teaches guests about the process that goes into raising grapes for wine. The structure is designed to recreate one of many storage facilities used to store the barrels of wine in Napa Valley.

Another one of the very well themed areas of California Adventure, the Pacific Wharf is the food center for Guests looking for a place to eat. Guests can choose from Mexican, Chinese and soup bread bowls. Also in this area are the two bakery attractions, the Boudin Bakery and Mission Tortilla Factory.


Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill offers a very nice selection of Mexican food. The style food is a blend between fast food and higher quality sit down restaurants. Portions are a good size for theme park food, which continues with the trend in the rest of the park. The Lucky Fortune Cookery sits across from the Mexican Grill and offers a slightly different selection than Hollywood & Dine in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Prices and portions are about the same, but the selection is smaller and Guests may only choose one type of food, rather than the two different types and a choice of noodle offered at Hollywood and Dine. There is also a small Fortune Cookie location where Guests may purchase the cookies fresh.

The tours give Guests an opportunity to see how sour dough bread and tortillas are made. The Mission Tortilla factory even offers free samples of the tortillas right off the assembly line. Guests can also purchase fresh bread bowls made at the Boudin Bakery from a cart in the Pacific Wharf Area.

The Golden State area of Disney's California Adventure offers some extremely well themed lands and some very memorable attractions. If there is one thing that is a must in any trip to California Adventure it is Soarin' Over California. This attraction is an experience not to be missed. This area also provides many different dining experiences, enough to fit any taste.

Part IV: Paradise Pier