Southern California’s Top Amusement Parks

Southern California is home to some of the best and most unique amusement parks on the West Coast. With attractions for age groups ranging from your littlest ones to adults, possibilities of a great time are endless with a trip to one of these establishments. Plan a day trip or take a few days to escape the monotony of life with your family by venturing to the following parks for a great time.

Disneyland, Anaheim

Possibly one of the most widely-known of the amusement parks, Disneyland is a classic for ticket holders of all ages. Disney’s west coast park offers an assortment of rides and food that are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face, making it one of Southern California’s top tourist destinations. Enjoy classic attractions like the Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain and be sure to stop off on Main Street for one of the best corn dogs you’ll ever have paired with a lemonade on a warm Spring day. Be sure to watch out for new additions to the park including the Cars themed exhibit at California Adventures across the way. For those looking to spend longer than a day there, book a room at Disney’s cabin-themed Grand Hotel in Downtown Disney or any of the myriad of hotels all within a walking distance of both parks.

Legoland, Carlsbad

A hidden treasure inspired by the building blocks of Denmark that have nourished imagination in the minds of children across the world, Lego Land is a dream for boys, girls, and future engineers. Complete with life-sized Lego characters strolling about the park in between rides, Lego Land also offers a selection of – you guessed it – Lego themed restaurants that make this park a perfect day trip for families with small children. Enjoy a day full of rides on roller coasters like the medieval-themed Dragon Ride with periodic breaks to enjoy some of the finest American cuisine you’ll find at a theme park. When it’s time to call it a day, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop where you can purchase Lego sets to ensure the fun can continue outside the park.

Safari Park, Escondido

Tucked away just outside of Escondido is the Safari Park of San Diego. Full of exotic animals from around the world, all living on a sprawling stretch of land, children and adults alike can enjoy and learn from exhibits that feature species of rare breeds from the plains of Kenya to the deserts of China to the mountains of the Andes. As you meander throughout the park, visitors are greeted with surprise outings from monkeys and peacocks guided by the friendly staff of trainers who are happy to share knowledge about the animals and exhibits the Safari Park offers. For those daring individuals, the park now features a zip line adventure that provides stunning views of the landscape as well as many animals as you glide through the trees. Take a break from your activities to dine at any of the excellent restaurants scattered throughout the property.

Sea World, Mission Bay

Dive into the wonders of the ocean with a trip to San Diego’s very own Sea World. Learn about aquatic life in a spectacular fashion as you wander through the sea life exhibits to see everything from penguins and polar bears to Sea World’s pride and joy – Shamu (spelling?). Cool off on those hot days with an ice-cold lemonade and a trip to the splash zone at the dolphin show, where you’ll find trainers working with these creatures to perform tricks for your enjoyment. After exploring the world’s aquatic life, swing by the stores on your way out to pick up merchandise and pictures to commemorate your experience making this the ideal easy-to-get-to day trip for the family.

Six Flags, Valencia

Southern California’s premier location for the "big kid" rides is Six Flags Magic Mountain. Located just outside of Los Angeles, Six Flags features some of the most thrilling and exciting rides for adrenaline junkies as well as a family friendly environment making it the perfect choice to go full tilt boogie with the epitome of awesome roller coasters. Fly with the likes of Superman and Batman as your legs dangle stories above everyone else while you let those endorphins kick in or tempt fate with a trip to Riddler’s Revenge, where a series of twists and turns will leave you with that kid in a candy shop sort of smile. When you’re ready to call it quits for the day, stop off at some of the best eateries in So Cal on your way home to avoid Los Angeles traffic.