These are the best amusement parks and the most popular family oriented amusement parks and theme attractions in Southern California and the Los Angeles area. California is home to the best theme parks in the USA, maybe the World, because they are all World class attractions.

All of these California amusement places are the most the most popular parks in the Los Angeles area and beyond. There are beach amusement parks, childrens miniparks, family oriented and of course thrilling roller coaster parks. Below is a list of amusement parks that I highly recommend. My family have visited all of these parks numerous times. Try to visit a few of these when you are travelling with kids and young adults who would really like some fun adventure stuff during your Southern California vacation.

Since 1955, when it opened, Disneyland has been one of the best amusement parks and the most beloved theme park in America. Todays Disneyland Resort is so much larger than the original. There are actually two theme parks now, Disneyland and Disneyland Adventure, as well as the Downtown Disney District and three Disney Hotels. For Park information: (714) 781-4565, For Disney Hotels: (714) 956-6425, Website: www.Disney.com.

This is a newer park in San Diego County. The Legoland amusement park sits on 35 acres in Carlsbad, California. The original Legoland is located outside Copenhagen, Denmark. Most kids love the Lego bricks building toys and have played with them, so this park is very popular with younger kids. It consists of different themed areas that are really fun and unique. In Village Green, kids get to drive their own Jeep on a Safari through Africa. At Fun Town, a kid learns to drive electric cars and can earn a 'Legoland Drivers Licence'. The Sky Cycle lets kids pedal around The Ridge. In Castle Hill, there is a roller coaster, and in Miniland, there ar wonderful replicas of American landmarks. In the Imagination Zone, kids can play and build with 'zillions' of Lego toys. This is such a fun place for families with small children, and very educational also.Website:www.legoland.com.

Knott's Berry Farm, one of the oldest and best amusement parks and theme attractions in Southern California, sure has changed over time, but it still has the original Ghost Town. We have been going there for 30 years or more, and I always enjoy it. The Knotts Berry offers more than 150 acres of non stop fun and entertainment. There is a Ghost Town, Indian Trails, Wild Wilderness, Roaring 20's, Fiesta Village and Camp Snoopy. There are over 150 rides, attractions and shows in six themed areas. Knotts Berry Fram is famous for its delicious Chicken dinners ( $9.99 and up) and for its Berry desserts and perservers. We always end our day at Knotts Berry farm with a chicken dinner. I recommend you do the same. It's so good! Phone: (714) 220-5200.

Plan to come early and spend the day at this fantastic 420 acre movie themed amusement park. You will tour its huge back lot on a tram, watch live action shows, and experience realistic and thrilling rides that recreates movie experiences. Lines can be long on holidays and during summer. Wear comfortable shoes and sunrotection such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Phone: (818) 622-3801.

This is a fabulous 50 acre aquatic park, and one of the best amusement parks for water fun in the World, where you can play and have fun in the water in a variety of different ways. You can slide down shoots, swim in lagoons, hurtle down slides, and float on long ponds. High powered fans create three foot waves for body surfing or swimming in the Wave Cove. At Splash Island Adventure, you'll find 75 activities, including water canons, crawl tunnels, five water slides and swinging bridges. There is also a 'Little Dipper Lagoon' for the younger kids, with miniature slides, fountains and wading pools. Phone: (909) 802-2200, Website: www.ragingwaters.com.

This 260 acre very popular and great amusement park has over 100 rides, as well as live entertainment and other attractions. Six Flags in Magic Mountain California is one of the best amusement parks for roller coasters in the country.
The most fantastic and simply scary (for me) is the Viper Coaster, which has a drop of 188 feet, and the Tidal Wave, which takes you over a 50 feet waterfall, and the Ninja, a coaster where you ride under the track and free fall.
There is also a giant roller coaster, the scariest of all, Goliath, with speeds of 85 miles per hour, and then drops you down 255 feet into a total darkness of a long tunnel. Scary! I'm not kidding you! Phone: (661)255-4111, Website: www.sixflags.com.

This is a great aquarium, one of the best amusement parks of its kind that's home to more than 10,000 varieties of sea life. It's also one of the newest and largest marine exhibit facility in the USA.

There are almost 50 living habitats featuring marine animals and plants from three regions of the Pacific Ocean: Souther California/Baja, Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific.

For Long Beach Aquarium Discount Tickets CLICK on the this link fo a list of places to get discount coupons to the aquarium. Phone: (562) 590-3100, Website: www.aquariumofpacific.org.

This san Diego park is a 2,200 acre wildlife sanctuary. But it's also one of the best amusement parks for animal viewing. It allows you to observe hundreds of animals roaming free in surroundings similar to their native habitat. Many animals can be viewed in sit down comfort on a 50 minute narrated safari abourd a monorail bus. For a closer look at the animals, you can walk the Kiliminjaro hiking trail. There is a Nairobi Village, animals and bird shows daily, free of charge, beautiful gardens, such as Tropical Asia, the Australian Rain Forest, as well as the animal care center, the Aviary, shops and restaurants. Phone: (760) 747-8702. Website: www.sandiegozoo.com.

Both parks are operated by the Zoological Society of San Diego. The 100 acre Zoo is in Balboa Park area, and it's home to one of the Worlds most exotic and unusual animals. This one of the best amusement parks and Zoo's for Gorilla viewing. That's my favorite exhibit here. The Gorilla habitat is fantastic, and you really get to watch these fantastic animals up close, without them knowing it.
The Zoo's 4,000+ birds, mammals and reptiles live in natural, beautifully landscaped habitats. The Zoo is also known as a Botanical garden with over 6,000 varieties of rare plants. Pnone: (619) 234-3153, or (619) 231-1515 for a live operator.

You should plan to spend a whole day at the Sea World park. There is a lot offered at Sea World, one of the best amusement parks for marine animals in the World. This is a 150 acre marine themed park and it's located on beautiful Mission Bay in San Diego. Sea World has dozens of sealife exhibits and grand live shows starring marine animals. The most popular show stars 'Shamu', a three ton killer whale. The shows are repeated throughout the day, so you can see them all if you want. Phone: (619) 226-3901, Website: seaworld.com.

Belmont Park

Belmont Park

This is one of the best amusement parks that's situated right on the beach. Its location in the Mission beach area of San Diego is great for sure. It has a 1925 renovated wooden roller coaster, a carrousel, and a 175 foot indoor swimming pool. Phone: (619) 491-2988, Website: www.belmontpark.com.

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