One of the most beautiful places to relax and enjoy the beautiful
landscaping and architecture at the Disneyland Resort is not in Disneyland
or California Adventure, but at the Grand Californian Hotel. The many
public areas make it a perfect place to get away from the crowds without
ever having to check in to the hotel itself.
Ground floor view of the Grand Californian’s lobby. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Visitors can enter the hotel several ways: through the main doors off
the circular driveway from the Downtown Disney side between Sephora and
Petals, or from Disney’s California Adventure park. Regardless of how
you enter, the first view of the lobby is truly awe-inspiring. The enormous
space is illuminated mainly with natural light, so on a cloudy day the
colors are muted. The main lobby is an excellent place to warm up or cool
down, depending on the weather outside. The large overstuffed sofas and
chairs are very inviting and are arranged in cozy groupings.
A view of the lobby from the third floor. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Many of the hotel rooms face the enormous lobby space, giving a wonderful overall view as guests exit their rooms. The dramatic art deco flower patterns in the carpet are easily seen from the upper floors as well.
Do you know Under the Sea? The pianist takes special requests.
Photo by Lisa Perkis.
A piano player plays in the lobby in the afternoons and evenings, adding
to the relaxing atmosphere. The pianist will often let aspiring young
musicians perform.
The fireplace area has wooden rocking chairs for grown-ups and children alike. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Tucked away in a corner of the lobby is a cozy fireplace with cushioned wooden rocking chairs. The space is surprisingly intimate compared to the vastness of the main lobby.
The floral arrangements in the lobby correspond with the seasons, of course. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Every detail in the hotel works in harmony, including the enormous fresh floral arrangement in the center of the lobby.
Ever wanted your very own Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired teapot? Acorn Gifts
has it. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Acorn Gifts and Goods, the Grand Californian’s gift shop, has beautiful, pricey pieces of pottery, lighting and artwork, as well as a great selection of hotel logo souvenirs. It also has the standard sunscreen, candy, and lanyards that the other hotel shops carry.
Nature walk, anyone? Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Just outside the lobby on the way to the “private” entrance to Disney’s California Adventure
is a lovely garden area. It frames the pool area as well as the entrance
to Storytellers Café. The flowering plants change with the seasons.
The olive trees look like they have been growing in the same spot for
50 years. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Even in the fall, roses are in bloom around the hotel. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The landscaping at the Disneyland Resort inspire every backyard gardener,
and the garden at the Grand Californian is no exception. Every plant,
from ornamental grasses to rose bushes, look like they grew there naturally.
The overall look is relaxed and unaffected, unlike some of the more formally
manicured areas of the resort.
For the lucky registered guests, the Redwood pool awaits behind the gate. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The hotel pool is only for registered guests, of course, but anyone can
have a nice view of it from the gardens. You can see Disney’s California
Adventure and the giant sun wheel in the distance.
Sit and rest a while. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Even wooden tables and benches situated outside the pool area blend in unobtrusively with the theming.
Very civilized, indeed: the Hearthstone Lounge. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The Hearthstone Lounge is connected to the lobby and is a comfortable spot to have a drink or just sit and unwind. There are televisions above the bar usually broadcasting a game, but the overall atmosphere is more like a library than a sports bar.
lounge has many comfortable alcoves. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Some corners have tables with hookups for laptop computers as well. There’s a lovely view of the garden area and pool through most of the large windows.
No marshmallow roasting in the outdoor fireplace, unfortunately. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The side doors of the lobby and lounge lead out to an outdoor fireplace
with more benches and rockers—an excellent place to spend a mild
spring or summer evening , sipping a drink from the lounge and hearing
faint screams coming from Mulholland Madness, one of the closer attractions
to the hotel.
Hotel guests can have a bird’s eye view of a complete stranger’s wedding. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Directly behind the outdoor fireplace is the hotel’s wedding patio, and
on the weekends you can usually see a bride or two milling around the
lobby or heading out to the patio area.
How about a picnic? The greenbelt behind the Grand Californian. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Behind the wedding patio is a vast grassy plain that winds behind the pool area and right up to the Paradise Pier section of Disney’s California Adventure.
Monorail walkway. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
The walkway leading out to the side courtyard is a narrow stone walkway. Cricket music is piped in at night to add to the faux rustic feel.
Courtyard with monorail. Photo by Lisa Perkis.
Next to the walkway leading to Downtown Disney from the hotel is a courtyard
that is frequently used for wedding or corporate receptions. The monorail
track passes amazingly low through the courtyard; thankfully the trains
are rarely running and therefore do not interrupt any special events that
take place here.
Without spending a penny, visitors can enjoy many of the same views,
lounges and activities that registered guests experience at the Grand
Californian. Next time you are in need of some relaxation after a busy
day at the parks, head over to one of the most elegant hotels in Southern
California and explore for yourself.
