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    California Dreaming

    4.1 (305 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Salad, Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    California Dreaming Photos

    Business Info

    CALIFORNIA DREAMING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - California Dreaming

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    Crispy Shrimp Tacos and  Cole Slaw side
    Lisa S.

    California Dreaming is normally one of our family's go to when we visit Myrtle Beach and need to please everyone. This visit has us reconsidering. Hoping it was just an off night. It was a Monday evening but had reservations. It had been a little while since we dined there, but the menu appears smaller - missing the creamed spinach to mention one. Table ordered ribs with fries - ribs were a bit on the dry side but still enjoyable. The fries were overcooked, dark and not very flavorful. Crispy Shrimp Tacos with coleslaw as the side - we asked if we could do a side house salad instead of a typical side. They said no, it would be an additional $4.95. What was odd, was all the sides were listed at the same price, so that was confusing why we couldn't get a side salad when they were all the same price. However, the best part of that meal was the coleslaw (though we know the salad is delicious). Tacos were quite full and generous portion size. Shrimp on their own were good. Tacos all together were lackluster. We would not order them again. Third person ordered a loaded baked potato and a side house salad. Both delicious and the honey croissant was like dessert at the end. Would order both again. Our seating location was less an ideal. We were at a table (not booth) in the center of the restaurant ( the sunken middle) and it was constant rushing by us from servers, hostess, and people. Just took away from the evening. The kitchen must have been really backed up. It took over 40 minutes to get our food from the time we ordered. So all of this tied together, not sure this place will make our list in the future.

    American burger
    Wayne G.

    Great place to eat. We had the California dreaming salad it was great. We had the All American burger and the chicken sandwich with bacon, all was superb. Our server Shelley L was very good.

    Nachos
    Alex F.

    California Dreaming is a great restaurant to take your family. The food is good and the portions are ample. Our server Jacob was excellent and brought refills before we had to ask. He also promptly brought our add on sauces and condiments to the table before our meals arrived. The ambiance is cozy and dimly lit. There is moderate noise, as this is a large restaurant serving many people at once. We had a filet mignon, cheeseburger, chicken tenders plate, pork chops and spicy chicken sandwich. All were very good. I definitely recommend California Dreaming.

    Spicy Chicken and French Fries.  California Club salad.
    Amanda L.

    Our family has a place in Surfside, so we visit the area frequently. We have driven past California Dreaming dozens of times, but we didn't know it was a restaurant. (It sits far off the road, and looked like something else.) A local mentioned it, so we decided to try it. The inside of the restaurant is big, and they also offer outdoor seating. We ordered the California Club salad, which came with a croissant, and the Spicy Chicken Sandwich with fries. The food was solid, the portion sizes were big, and the service was good. We'll definitely visit again to try more menu items next time we are in town.

    Nachos!!!
    Karley B.

    My boyfriend was adopted. About 2.5 years ago, he found his birth family. However, we live in Baltimore but his biological father lives in North Dakota. This was the first year they were able to celebrate Father's Day together. Originally we wanted to take him to the calabash with the mermaids, but they don't take reservations. We weren't willing to wait God only knows how long for an accessible table for 6, on Father's Day, in a resort town. So we looked on Open Table until we discovered a restaurant that did take reservations. The restaurant was packed, of course. And it became evident that the staff wasn't used to a restaurant full of people. Service was slow, and the food was... mediocre. Both my boyfriend and his dad got steak. And both steaks were WAY overcooked. But before we got our entrees, there were appetizers and the BEST cream of crab (or she crab soup as they called it) EVER. And some pretty decent nachos. Traditional, not seafood. Most meals came with a Caesar salad, that everyone seemed to enjoy. Mine did not, but I was okay with that because I'm a slow eater and had only eaten maybe five bites of my pulled pork sandwich (BBQ PORK SANDWICH12.95 pulled pork, pickles, red onion and cole slaw) before everyone else had finished their meals. I took my leftovers back to the hotel but never had a chance to eat them. Lament. Our nephew had the chicken strips. He's 11, so it seems like all he eats are chicken strips and cheeseburgers. They were tempura battered. And although he spent like 50 minutes wondering when they were gonna bring him his chicken, when they arrived he gave them all away, except for two, which he dipped in some she crab soup. Gotta give it to the kid. That kinda was a taste sensation. Also kinda ingenious considering he asked for ketchup and it took 20 minutes for it to arrive, and then it was in one of those little cups. Why the heck isn't there ketchup on the table? It was an all right time. The bonding was better than the food. We went to the skywheel afterward and had an anxiety ridden great adventure. So all in all a really great day, but that had little to do with the food. Don't really recommend, except for the soup which will go down in history as perfection.

    Fried Oyster Po'Boy, served with a side of Creamy Cole Slaw.
    Colin C.

    We just got off the plane in Myrtle Beach. Avelo is a budget airline that couldn't even spare a bag of peanuts, so we were hungry. We were whisked away to California Dreaming. Though the menu didn't seem too West Coast inspired, I work in California, so I understand the sentiment. What it seemed to lack in Golden State vibes, it made up for in droves. We started with the seafood nachos, which might be the greatest thing I've ever eaten in my life. Nachos, but instead of salsa and beef or chicken, it came with melted cheese, shrimp, crab, and some kind of seafood sauce. If I had to eat one food for the rest of my life, this might be it. For dinner, the table had a pork chop that was fried Southern style (great, but not California style), a fried oyster po'boy (Louisiana dreaming?), and a fried chicken salad that even Elaine from Seinfeld would call a "big salad" (I thought I saw some avocado, so I'll give it a few California points). For dessert, we took home some red velvet cheesecake that was just as good the next day. Beers on tap are from local breweries and well drinks are insanely cheap. This place is about as California as Kansas. It should have been called Carolina Dreaming. But as a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, this restaurant is worth visiting, because it'll leave you dreaming of your next meal here.

    Spicy chicken sandwich
    Marilyn D.

    Came here as a last thought. Not a fan of chain restaurant, but decided to try it out. We've made reservations for 6 and were seated on arrival. We ordered a chicken Caesar salad, ribs, steak and shrimp, spicy chicken sandwich, and the salmon dinner. Everything came together and was very tasty. The salads came out with buttery honey glazed croissants. Our servers name was Sheldon and he was extremely attentive. My only negative was the at under the table was dirty and it was super hot inside the restaurant.

    Kathy B.

    New Years Day. We weren't sure what to expect. Quite happy. The side salad with egg and bacon was very good. The ribs were fall off the bone good and the accompaniment of a baked pot was large, perfectly cooked and delicious. The miso salmon bowl was equally delicious. The drizzle was a bit heavy but it was a great mixture of described ingredients. Salmon was perfectly prepared. Great meal.

    AMAZING shrimp San Francisco
    Jason T.

    We went to California Dreaming on 3/2/25 and it was amazing. The Food was like a fun party for your taste buds, it was amazing. The service and ambiance were also very nice. If you are in the sufside or Myrtle Beach areas, I highly recomend California Dreaming or Californio Sanadro in Spanish!!

    Early dinner. Nice and quiet
    Fred B.

    Came in for a late lunch early dinner. Quiet. Great service. Had their iconic baked potato soup and for once this past week went healthy having their California Club Entree salad. Big salad. Loaded with the usual and house made ranch dressing. Shared the bread pudding which was very good. Will be back when in the area.

    Main entrance

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    22 days ago

    This used to be my favorite restaurant but they went too far in their prices. Not worth the value of the food that you get.

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    1 year ago

    Food and atmosphere are always very good. Wait staff is very attentive. Great place for dinner.

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    Chris L.

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    1 year ago

    Great place, professional staff and very friendly. Food was wonderful. This is a great place to visit for lunch and supper

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    11 months ago

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - California Dreaming

    The Bar - Saturday night karaoke - even the bartender gets in the game!

    The Bar

    3.3(15 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    Dive bar is an understatement! We walked in through a white non-descript door hoping for the…read moreentrance to the bar and were the center of attention, getting the immediate feeling of "you're not from around here". The bar was double packed, a few bar tables were open but really no room to walk anywhere once you've made it inside. It took a solid handful of minutes to get some beers ordered, but they were cold and cheap so can't complain! I love a good dive bar, and maybe the vibe would have been better if we were able to sit at the bar, but it was insanely loud and everyone seemed to know each other, prompting me to finish it up and go along in search of somewhere slightly more chill!

    5 Star Dive Bar Review…read more Up and down the coast of Myrtle Beach and this is the hidden gem of them all. You have to like going to bars and having a few pops to enjoy The Bar. A true dive bar with some of the funniest karaoke you'll ever experience. The clientele like to drink shots and they will pull you in to have them with you. The bartenders are wonderful, funny, and will throw a shot back with you too. This is a small place that hasn't been updated. Weirdly the bathrooms are updated. This is the best dive bar in all of Myrtle (North, Main, Seaside, Murrells). It's not really close. Always so much fun. Remember, you have to enjoy dive bars, funky clientele, and shots. Love THE BAR!!! Thanks

    Photos
    The Bar - Very small!

    Very small!

    The Bar - The extent of the bar area

    The extent of the bar area

    The Bar - Best Kept Secret!

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    Best Kept Secret!

    California Dreaming - tradamerican - Updated June 2026

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