From the beginning, the idea of California has captivated the world. Its sandy shores, diverse peoples and “anything goes” attitude all make up the California Dream. Disney?s “Imagineers” made this dream come true at its newest theme park in Anaheim, Disney?s California Adventure.

Forget about fairy tales and mouse ears that you expect from its predecessor, California Adventure is a fresh, new park that puts a pop-culture spin on the state?s scenic wonders, travel destinations and carefree spirit. This park is all about adventure while Disneyland is about dreams and fantasy.

The long awaited theme park, which opened early February, encompasses a 55-acre area that was once the Disneyland parking lot. Immediate visual stimulants include a nostalgic white, wooden roller coaster, a scale replica of the Golden Gate Bridge and a Sierra Mountain top known as Grizzly Peak.

Walking through the turnstiles, visitors pass through a colorful 210-foot long tile mural, where Southern California icons can be found on the left and Northern California landmarks on the right. This is the only spot in the park where Sacramentans can catch a glimpse of themselves and boast proudly, “Hey! Do you think this bear is supposed to represent the capitol? Maybe this could be the American River and that could be the Rainbow Bridge!” But then again, those landmarks could all be up to interpretation.

Continuing into Sunshine Plaza, visitors are immediately transported into a three-dimensional postcard where the surf tunes of yesteryear accentuate a 50-foot sun sculpture that appears to ride the crest of a wave from a fountain below. The bouncy, outgoing atmosphere sets the mood for a park where it seems to be summer 365 days a year.

Sunshine Plaza is a passageway to three very distinct lands?Golden State, Paradise Pier and Hollywood Pictures Backlot–where California highlights can be viewed, experienced and explored.

Golden State

The Golden State is the theme area dedicated to the diversity of the land and the people of California, including the fruits of our agricultural heritage, the wineries of Napa Valley, the arts of San Francisco and the forests and great outdoors. This section of the park is very calm and relaxing, and may be explored at a leisurely pace.

One may wander through the Pacific Wharf, a water front industrial area inspired by Monterey?s Cannery Row, and watch microfactories make San Francisco-style sourdough bread, chocolate-dipped fortune cookies and Mexican tortillas. (Rumor has it that if you tour the Mission Tortilla Factory late in the evening, they may give you a bag of fresh tortillas to take home with you.)

Simmer down at the Golden Vine Winery, sponsored by Robert Mondavi, where grape vines and a mission-style structure create the feeling of Napa Valley. Wine education and wine tastings currently take place in the park, and wine production is planned for the future.

Those with a sense of adventure may want to check out Grizzly Peak, a rock carved mountain, where one can experience river rafting or a hike through the woods. “Grizzly River Run” is a wild river rapids ride that sends you spinning down waterfalls and splashing down and around the mountain. Compared to whitewater rides at other theme parks, this is one of the best. The water seems faster, the waves seem bigger, but you don?t necessarily get that much wetter.

Perhaps the most exciting attraction in Golden State, and perhaps in the whole park, is “Soarin? Over California,” which is located in Condor Flats, an area designed to replicate a 1940?s high desert airfield. The state-of-the-art ride takes its passengers on a hang gliding tour of California.

The glider lifts 87 passengers into the air where they are surrounded by a huge dome-shaped movie screen. A cool breeze and scents from different locations make this virtual reality ride nothing short of remarkable.

“Soarin? Over California” takes you everywhere from the surf of Malibu to the slopes of Lake Tahoe. The illusion is so real that you feel that you must lift your feet up to not get them wet.

Soaring down over the rafters and fisherman of Redwood Creek, the smell of pine enters the senses and as you pass over the orange groves, you immediately experience the essence of orange.

Paradise Pier

Whiffs of corn dogs and churros fill the air, while screams of fear and joy can be heard over the carnival sounds at Paradise Pier, a re-creation of the seaside boardwalks of years past. The only thing missing from the ambiance is the salty sea air and sand between your toes.

While the Golden State area will intrigue adults, Paradise Pier is the ground that teenagers will flock to. Bright colors and a dynamic environment create the “fun in the sun” attitude that tourists expect from California. Along the boardwalk, visitors can find a plethora of midway games, wild rides, and beach themed food, restaurants and shops.

You can test your skills along the midway to win a stuffed animal for your sweetie by throwing softballs, catching fish and squirting water guns. Fortunately, because this is Disney, there aren?t the sleazy carnies that one may expect from such a venue. In fact, at New Haul Fishery, a traditional carnival fishing game, they make sure all the kids walk away with a prize.

Thrill seekers will make a run for the rides along the hardwood boardwalk with hopes of nausea and dizziness, however, the attractions are all smoother and calmer than they look. Rides include the high speed roller coaster, “California Screamin?,” that includes a loop-de-loop around the huge face of Mickey Mouse, a 168-foot high ferris wheel that spins and swings its riders over the lagoon, and “The Maliboomer,” which shoots riders 180 feet in the air and then bounces them back to the ground bungee-style.

When the sun goes down, Paradise Pier is the place to be. The glittering lights reflect off of the open waterway and a real sense of energy encompasses the place. Unfortunately, there is no “Tunnel of Love” to complete the magic.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot

Many go to Los Angeles to either get famous, or get a peek at someone else who is. At Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Disney created an area that gives guests many ways to experience that sort of stardom.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot was created as a replica of Hollywood Boulevard where buildings actually look like the structures you could find just 30 miles north of Anaheim. But what is inside the buildings is much more unique.

The ABC Soap Opera Bistro is a distinct restaurant where guests dine in one of five replica soap opera sets while their servers pose as actors auditioning for roles on the soaps. Sets include Luke?s bar from “General Hospital,” the Chandler Mansion from “All My Children” and the Buchanan stables from “One Life to Live.”

Disney?s most treasured art form can be witnessed at Disney Animation, where visitors can actually delve into projects themselves. One can create a short animation, take a personality test to see which Disney character they are most like, or actually be the voice of a character from one of many feature animations.

Inside this miniature Hollywood, guests can also see a show at the Hyperion Theater??a 2,000 seat performance palace designed in remembrance of tinsel town?s heyday, take a “Superstar Limo Ride” or watch “Jim Henson?s Muppet Vision 3D,” a Muppet salute to the art of movie making.

“Jim Hensen?s Muppet Vision 3-D” may have a bit of emotional appeal to Muppet lovers for it is Jim Hensen?s last work. The three distinct lands are just the beginning of the excitement at Disney?s California Adventure. Throughout the park, there are bits of intrigue around every corner.

Like the streets of San Francisco and Venice Beach, many weird and unusual talents and art forms can be observed. Mini sideshows include “Three Bags Full,” a moving art form where three humans are each encompassed in a different colored, sheet-like bag,”La Feet,” a choreographed musical group that dances on a set of drums and stilt-walking shrubbery.

One of the most extravagant attractions at the park is Disney?s Eureka! “The California Adventure Parade,” which truly encompasses California and its many cultures by recognizing all of the ethnic backgrounds you find in the state.

The 25-minute production begins with a group parading around as the energy from the sun and continues with segments including the Watts Towers, San Francisco?s Chinatown with a charming stilt-walking Golden Gate Bridge, and of course, California?s surfer culture, complete with in-line skaters, divers and body-builders.

Amazingly enough, with a $43 admission, travelers can see, smell, experience and taste almost all of California?s highlights in just one day without leaving this 55-acre vicinity called Disney?s California Adventure.