Do you plan to visit any of the area's famous theme parks? At a glance, you'll read the most up-to-date descriptions about each attraction as well as current rides and shows, ticket information, schedules and locations, phone numbers and web addresses.
Belmont Park [top]
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 Built in 1925, Belmont Park now fills a seven-acre campus in Mission Beach with historic attractions including the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of the only remaining wooden coasters, and The Plunge, an enormous indoor pool. Don’t miss the Wavehouse, featuring an outdoor beach bar and grill and two standing waves (Bruticus Maximus and Flowrider). Belmont Park is a perfect place to shop and stay for the sunset. Single ride tickets: $2-$15. Park open daily, but ride attractions are closed Tuesday and Wednesday in October, November and December. Call for seasonal hours. |
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Disneyland [top] |
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 Ninety-four miles northwest of San Diego in Anaheim, Disneyland offers more than 60 adventures and attractions; and eight themed-lands providing every imaginable level of fun from thrill rides to festive parades, firework spectaculars, life-sized Disney characters, and more. The renovated Space Mountain is faster and scarier than ever! The Pirates of the Caribbean adventure has also been updated and features scenes from their movies. Disney’s HalloweenTime! run through October 31. Disney’s Christmas Parade starts November 17 kicking off Holiday Time at Disneyland where the park transforms into a winter wonderland! Adults $63, children 3-9, $53. Multi-day and Park Hopper tickets available. Call for hours/special events. |
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Disney’s California Adventure [top] |
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 Disney’s California Adventure Park is located right next door to Disneyland and occupies 55 acres. Four themed areas (Golden State, Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot and “A Bug’s Land”) offer over 30 attractions. The California Screamin’ roller coaster in Paradise Pier catapults thrill-seekers into a rollicking, high-flying adventure. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror makes guests feel as if they are plummeting down the elevator shaft of an old, haunted Hollywood hotel. Soarin’ Over California takes guests on a magnificent virtual balloon ride over the scenic valleys, mountains, beaches and landmarks of California. Experience Spook-tacular entertainment at DCA’s Mickey’s Halloween Treat through October 31. Adults $63, children 3-9, $53. Multi-day and Park Hopper tickets also available. Call for hours and special events. |
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Knott's Berry Farm [top] |
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 Ready, aim, scream! Knott’s newest 55 mph roller coaster opened this past year and is still going strong. The 2.5-minute speeding ride combines six inversions, and a zero-G roll. Themed park areas include Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, Ghost Town, Wildwater Wilderness and Indian Village. Evenings through October 31st, Knott’s presents Halloween Haunt—a 160-acre living horror movie filled with mazes, shows, scare zones and monsters! For the family, Knott’s offers Camp Snoopy Halloween Treasure Hunt—a daytime, non-scare celebration. Open daily, except Christmas. Adults, $25-$39.95. Children, $14.95. Online ticket discounts. Call for hours and events. Located in Buena Park, about 10 minutes from Disneyland. |
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Legoland [top] |
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 Legoland’s 128-acre interactive theme park is dedicated to families with children, ages 2-12. Just like LEGO play materials, kids are the ones who create the action at the park. They drive, pedal, jump, push, build, laugh and program their way through more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. There are also water attractions with captivating high-seas adventures, pop-up water jets, fountains and cannons. Enjoy Halloween at Brick-or-Treat on October 21, 22, 28 and 29. The holiday season starts on November 27, 2006 at the LEGO Christmas Tree Lighting, and the Holiday Block Party begins December 21 through 30 with nightly fireworks. A special Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party will be on December 31. Call for hours. Adults, $57; Seniors and Children 3-12, $44. Two day admission ticket also available. |
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San Diego Zoo [top] |
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 The San Diego Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies. Among the Zoo’s biggest attractions are The Safari Balloon Ride, Monkey Trails, Gorilla Tropics, Polar Bear Plunge and the world-renowned Panda Research Station. The Zoo is located on Zoo Drive in Balboa Park just north of downtown San Diego along Park Boulevard. October is Kids’ Free Days. Children receive free admission to the Zoo when accompanied by an adult. Adults, $22-$32. Children, $14.50-$19.75. Two-park tickets for the Zoo and Wild Animal Park available. Open daily. Hours for October 3 to December 31 are 9am to 4pm (grounds close at 5pm). Parking is free. |
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SeaWorld San Diego [top] |
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 From Shamu’s new show, Believe, a captivating and visually-stunning show that transports your heart to the edge of wonder to a spine-tingling 4-D movie to an electrifying performance on water and high-flying dolphins, SeaWorld’s spectacular shows will amaze and enchant you! Or experience thrilling adventures on SeaWorld’s rides and see captivating panoramic views of the surrounding area. You can also meet animals up close, see wondrous creatures, and challenge yourself and others to games of skill and physical feats. SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration will feature a special Shamu Holiday show, seasonal decorations and festivities. Ages 10 and older, $54.00; children 3–9, $44; children 2 and under, free. Multi-day tickets available. Parking, $10 for cars, $15 for RVs and campers. Call for seasonal hours. |
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Six Flags Magic Mountain [top] |
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 Six Flags Magic Mountain features 17 world-class roller coasters including the newest addition, TATSU, Flying at the Speed of Fear. Aboard the wings of TATSU, riders will fly at speeds in excess of 62 miles-per-hour through a series of gravity-defying maneuvers. Younger daredevils will love Bugs Bunny World, a 6-acre wonderland featuring rides kids and parents can enjoy together. In October, Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a haunted “scream park” for Fright Fest 2006 (call for exact dates). Park admission is $29.99-$59.99. Children 2 and under are free. Online discounts. Parking, $15-$20. Call for hours. Located in Valencia, north of Los Angeles off I–5. |
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Universal Studios Hollywood [top] |
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 Get behind-the-scenes and on the sets of hit movies at Universal Studios Hollywood—the world’s largest movie studio and theme park. Dozens of amazing rides, shows and attractions will bring the glamour and adventure of Hollywood to life. New is Whoopi Goldberg’s, The Fast and The Furious: Extreme Close-Up. Tonight Show host Jay Leno frequently visits Universal Studios Hollywood as part of his signature “Jay Walking” segment! This October the terror is real with Halloween Horror Nights beginning on Friday the 13th of October and continuing on weekends through the 31st! Open everyday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Call for hours. $49-$149; online ticket discounts. |
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Wild Animal Park [top] |
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 Experience unique adventures at the Wild Animal Park! This 2,100-acre sanctuary allows animal to wander freely in surroundings like their native homelands. Visitors can see exotic plants along the Park’s pathways, go to an animal show or get up-close to the animals aboard the Wgasa Bush Line Railway. Celebrate the holidays with the annual Festival of Lights where more than 100,000 lights illuminate larger-than-life animal figures, nutcrackers, and teddy bears. Kids can slide down a real snowy hill, make holiday crafts and face paint. Park hours: 9am to 4pm (grounds close at 5pm). Adults $28.50; Children 3–11, $17.50. Parking: $8 per vehicle. |
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