Best Theme Parks in California
10 theme parks in California
Theme Parks across the USA for families.
Editorial oversight by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Theme Parks in California: what to expect
California has 10 theme parks we would happily take our own kids to. Belmont Park is the one most families start with. Ride classic coasters steps from the sand at San Diego's beachfront amusement park, open since 1925. Disney California Adventure Park is the other name that comes up again and again. Disney's California park where Pixar and Hollywood worlds come to life next door to Disneyland. Disneyland Park rounds out the pick of the bunch. The original 1955 Disney park, where Sleeping Beauty Castle, themed lands, and nightly fireworks create the Happiest Place On Earth. Also worth your time: Knott's Berry Farm, LEGOLAND California Resort, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park.
Published prices run from $59.99 at SeaWorld San Diego up to $114 at Disneyland Park. 5 of the 10 listed here quote a starting price. The others vary by season or by what you add on, so check before you travel. Age guidance is worth reading first at LEGOLAND California Resort (ages 2-12).
The theme parks on this page are spread across San Diego (2), Anaheim (2), Buena Park (1) and Carlsbad (1), so it is easy to pair two into one trip.
Theme Parks
Belmont Park
San Diego, California
Ride classic coasters steps from the sand at San Diego's beachfront amusement park, open since 1925.
Theme Parks
Disney California Adventure Park
Anaheim, California
Disney's California park where Pixar and Hollywood worlds come to life next door to Disneyland.
Theme Parks
Disneyland Park
Anaheim, California
The original 1955 Disney park, where Sleeping Beauty Castle, themed lands, and nightly fireworks create the Happiest Place On Earth.
Theme Parks
Knott's Berry Farm
Buena Park, California
Roar through an authentic 1800s Ghost Town and ride mammoth coasters near Anaheim.
Theme Parks
LEGOLAND California Resort
Carlsbad, California
A LEGO theme park, water park, and aquarium rolled into one multi-day Carlsbad resort.
Theme Parks
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California
A century-old beachfront amusement park where the wooden Giant Dipper still rattles above the Pacific.
Theme Parks
Santa Monica Pier & Pacific Park
Santa Monica, California
An admission-free amusement park perched over the ocean on the famous Santa Monica Pier.
Theme Parks
SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego, California
Meet orcas, dolphins, and sea lions, then plunge down Emperor, California's tallest and fastest dive coaster.
Theme Parks
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Santa Clarita, California
Some of the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coasters on the planet, plus a Looney Tunes land for the kids.
Theme Parks
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, California
Race through SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and ride the famous Studio Tour in one LA park.