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Best California Amusement Parks

California is home to the best amusement parks with thrilling roller coasters. Check out this list of 10 of the best amusement parks of California located in Anaheim, Buena Park, Carlsbad, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Vallejo, and other cities.

Universal Studios Hollywood
Photograph by CrispyCream27, via Wikimedia Commons

Universal Studios Hollywood

#1 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Universal Studios Hollywood is a most famous working film studio and theme park located in the San Fernando Valley area. The theme park is split into two areas known as the Upper lot and Lower lot. The Upper Lot has variety of family based attractions including popular thrill ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The Lower Lot has three thrill rides including popular Jurassic World - The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride, and TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D. The park also celebrates festivals and events througout year.

Universal Studios Hollywood Attractions

  • Thrill Rides
  • Character Sightings
  • Studio Tour
  • Universal CityWalk
  • Special Effects Show
  • WaterWorld

Hours & Admission

Disneyland Park
Photograph by CrispyCream27, via Wikimedia Commons

Disneyland Park

#2 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Disneyland Park is one of the two theme parks located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The 100 acres theme park features nine theme lands including Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Mickey's Toon town, New Orleans Square, and Tomorrowland. Space Mountain, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean are few of Disneyland Park's best rides. Other attractions of Disneyland Park include main street, holiday lights, parades, and firework shows. The park also hosts festival celebration throughout year.

Disneyland Park Attractions

  • Adventureland
  • Critter Country
  • Fantasyland
  • Frontierland
  • Main Street
  • Downtown Disney District
  • Mickey's Toontown
  • New Orleans Square
  • Tomorrowland
  • Fireworks

Hours & Admission

Disney California Adventure Park
Photograph by CrispyCream27, via Wikimedia Commons

Disney California Adventure Park

#3 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Disney California Adventure is a theme park located in Disneyland Resort that features fun rides and attractions. The 72 acres park has eight themed lands: Buena Vista Street, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, Pacific Wharf, Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, Avengers Campus, and Cars Land. Best thrill rides and roller coasters ride of the park include Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!, Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark, Incredicoaster, Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween, and Radiator Springs Racers. The park also hosts annual events and live performances.

Disney California Adventure Park Attractions

  • Avengers Campus
  • Buena Vista Street
  • Cars Land
  • Grizzly Peak
  • Hollywood Land
  • Pacific Wharf
  • Paradise Gardens Park
  • Pixar Pier
  • Holiday Lights

Hours & Admission

Knott's Berry Farm
Photograph by METRO96, via Wikimedia Commons

Knott's Berry Farm

#4 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Knott's Berry Farm is a popular theme park located in Buena Park. The 57 acre park offers fun for all ages. It is one of the most visited theme park in North America. The park features 4 themed areas and more than 40 rides including roller coasters, state shows, and family fun rides. The themed areas are: Old West Ghost Town, Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, and The Boardwalk. Knott's Soak City Waterpark is a 15-acre water adventure park located next to Knott's Berry Farm and is open mid May through early September.

Knott's Berry Farm Attractions

  • Ghost Town
  • Camp Snoopy
  • Fiesta Village
  • Boardwalk
  • Rides

Hours & Admission

SeaWorld San Diego
Photograph by Cburnett, via Wikimedia Commons

SeaWorld San Diego

#5 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

SeaWorld San Diego is one of three SeaWorld parks in the United States. The 189 acres aquarium and marine mammal park features rides, live entertainment shows, interactive exhibits, theaters, and shops. SeaWorld San Diego is known for its popular live daily shows including Orca Encounter, Dolphin Days, Sea Lions Live, Cirque Electrique, and indoor theater shows. The shows features live animals such as Orca, sea lions, dolphins, killer whales, seals, sea turtles, and otters. The themed park includes 19 aquariums, roller coasters and fun rides. SeaWorld San Antonio also as water park called Aquatica. Visitors can also touch, feed, and interact with animals.

SeaWorld San Diego Attractions

  • Live Entertainment Shows
  • Roller Coasters
  • Rides
  • Animal Encounters
  • Aquatica Water Park

Hours & Admission

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Photograph by Matt314, via Wikimedia Commons

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

#6 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park located in Santa Cruz, California. The park offers free admission and free entertainment. Visitors can purhcase wristband or season pass to enjoy unlimited rides. The boardwalk offers fun rides and attractions for the entire family. Other attractions of the boardwalk include Casino Arcade, Bowling, Laser Tag, Neptune's Kingdom, Cali Caricature, FRIGHT WALK. THE VAULT Laser Maze Challenge, Face Painting, Henna, and Magic Shop.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Attractions

  • Thrill Rides
  • Family Rides
  • Kids Rides
  • Miniature Golf
  • Arcades

Hours & Admission

LEGOLAND California
Photograph by Coolcaesar, via Wikimedia Commons

LEGOLAND California

#7 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

LEGOLAND California Resort located in Carlsbad, California features theme park, water park, and Sea Life Aquarium. The Legoland theme park includes more than 60 kids rides, live shows, and 4D movie. The park features themed land areas: LEGO Ninjago World, Imagination Zone, Land of Adventure, Castle Hill, Pirate Shores, Fun Town, Explorer Island, MINILAND USA, The Beginning, and The LEGO Movie World. LEGOLAND Resort also includes 10 acres LEGOLAND and CHIMA Water Park and SEA LIFE aquarium. The park also hosts live entertainment shows, seasonal events and festivals.

Hours & Admission

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Photograph by Double0Kevin, via Wikimedia Commons

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

#8 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom located in Vallejo, California is a prime attraction of San Francisco Bay area. The 135 acres amusement park features roller coasters, fun rides and animal attractions for whole family. The park also hosts live entertainment shows and holiday festivals events throughout year.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Attractions

  • Roller Coasters
  • Thrill Rides
  • Family Rides
  • Kids Rides
  • Animal Attractions

Hours & Admission

California's Great America
Photograph by Runner1928, via Wikimedia Commons

California's Great America

#9 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

California's Great America located in Santa Clara, California is San Francisco area prime attraction. The 112 acres amusement park features over 40 rides and attraction including roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, and kids rides. Gold Striker wooden roller coaster is the prime attraction of the park. South Bay Shores water park features fun water rides and attractions. The park also hosts events and festival celebration througout year.

California's Great America Attractions

  • Roller Coasters
  • Thrill Rides
  • Family Rides
  • Kids Rides
  • South Bay Shores Waterpark
  • Live Entertainment

Hours & Admission

Adventure City
Photograph by adventurecity.com

Adventure City

#10 in Best Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in California

Adventure City is a small amusement park located near Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The 2 acres park features fun rides, attractions, and games for the whole family. General admission includes unlimited use of all rides. The park also offers live entertainment show at Stage 39. Birthday party packages are available to host private parties at the park. Amenities of the park include locaker rental, wheel chair rental, stroller rental, and food.

Adventure City Attractions

  • Rescue Ride
  • Balloon Race
  • Barnstormer Planes
  • Freeway Coaster
  • Rewind Racers
  • Crank 'n' Roll
  • Express Train
  • Crazy Bus
  • Carousel
  • Drop Zone
  • Giggle Wheel
  • Petting Farm
  • Mount Adventurous

Hours & Admission