We recently took an abbreviated spring break trip (because Darin had to get back to work today, for a conference) down to Anaheim. This is our third trip to Disneyland since moving back to the Bay Area — four years ago, two years ago, and this year. I think we may be done with Disneyland/California Adventure. If we decide to visit a Magic Kingdom again, we’ll probably go nuts and fly to Orlando. In two or three years.

Highlights of theme park visits:

• We rode the new Star Tours 6 times in order to experience all of the possible sections. (The first two times we got two completely new rides, which led us to think there were hundreds of combinations. But no. Just 54.) This is a great ride. They will probably add new sections to it over time. I don’t need to go on it for quite a while, however.
• Our visit to Knott’s Berry Farm was overall not great (I think it’s designed more for teenagers wanting to go on big crazy roller-coasters), but it ended with a bang: the stunt show was hilarious. Definitely see it if you’re there. (Also: the chicken dinner. But this is a given.)
• The World of Color at California Adventure is amazing. Pro-tip: DON’T bother with the fast passes. We had tickets in the Blue section and Simon couldn’t see a damned thing. Actually, I couldn’t see half of it myself, so I could see his point of view. You can get reserved seating if you eat at the Trattoria (no idea if these seats are any good). The second time we went we stood in front of the Ariel’s Underwater Adventure ride, in the corded off section. We could see and hear everything, and we arrived about 5 minutes before the show started. This time we could all see the entire thing, easily.

But one of the great things about our trips is the fabulous eating we get to do in other places.

§

Our favorite restaurant to stop at between here and Anaheim is Artisan in Paso Robles.

Who knew Paso Robles was so cute? Who knew it was such an epicenter of foodie-ism? There are apparently several fabulous restaurants there, but the one we stopped at last year on the way to San Diego (and talked about so much that we knew we had to go on this trip) is Artisan. It’s a cross between a French bistro and California cuisine. Everything we’ve had there was fantastic. Whenever we decide to go on a car trip, we will probably try to stop here.

§

In Santa Barbara, we always stop at McConnell’s Ice Cream for, well, ice cream.

I used to go to McConnell’s with my sister when I visited her at college. And they’re still there, and they still have one million flavors, and they’re all insanely tasty. They had orange chocolate when we went! Does Swensen’s still have Swiss orange chip ice cream? Man, that brings back memories.

§

Since we were staying at the Grand Californian, we of course went to the Napa Rose.

I think our memories of the Napa Rose outstripped the reality this time around: it was good, but not break-the-bank good (which it ought to be for those prices). Still, of all the high-end meals we’ve had on the Disney property (Steakhouse 55 last year, an unbelievably AWFUL Japanese restaurant that I am pretty sure is out of business and deserves to be), this is by far and away the best. We didn’t even bother going to other places this time.

§

On our way to Knott’s Berry Farm, I looked up places to have breakfast and I said, “Oh hey, there’s an Original Pancake House. We should go there.”

Good call on my part.

This is one of the best entrants in the Original Pancake House chain that either Darin or I have ever been to. He goes to the one in Cupertino a lot, and the 49er Flapjacks at this place in Anaheim were perfect. Simon’s omelet: awesome. My Dutch baby pancake: very yummy. Sophia ordered a bowl of strawberries and got an overflowing bowl of fresh, perfectly sweet berries.

If we could have gone to this place again, we totally would have. We just couldn’t fit it into the trip.

§

Honorable mention (mostly because I didn’t take a photo):

Los Agaves, in Santa Barbara: down the street from La Super-rica. Much more comfortable seating than La Super-rica. Delicious food. Definitely recommended.

Blue Bayou, New Orleans Square: we went here two years ago and were deeply underwhelmed for the price. This year, we wondered what to do for lunch, decided to risk it again (especially after doing a web search on “best lunch at Disneyland”). This time, I guess we ordered better because everything was awesome. Downside: their vegetarian lunch item is kind of stupid (it was the same thing as two years ago, so I didn’t order it again). Pro-tip: go early to make reservations, and say that you really want to sit by the edge of the water this time. (If you sit near the door, the light streaming in makes sure that you can’t see anything. Very unpleasant.) You will have to arrive at 11:15 for an 11:30 seating, but it’s totally worth it. Much better to sit and watch the Pirates riders go by.

Trattoria Something Something, California Adventure: Forgettable. I think I had a salad. While better than many places to eat, it wasn’t that great.