By Robert Vaux
There is no theme park quite like Disneyland. That being said, there are still a number of excellent California theme parks whose smaller crowds and shorter lines entice visitors looking for an alternative. Most of them are within easy driving distance of Disneyland, and the others are close to a major metropolitan center.
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm has earned a reputation as a the best theme park in California after Disneyland. It predates the "Happiest Place on Earth" by several decades and its location, in nearby Buena Park, makes it a quick trip for those a little tired of Mickey and the gang. Knott's features Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" characters as mascots and offers plenty of rides for young children as well as roller coasters for grown-up folks. Its Halloween attractions---dubbed "Knott's Scary Farm"---have become a Southern California tradition.
8039 beach Blvd
Buena Park, California 90620
Tel: (714) 220-5200
Disney's California Adventure
Far less successful than Disneyland itself is the company's effort to create a theme park with reflecting the Golden State. Crowds have stayed away almost since its opening, and it continues to lag far behind its next-door neighbor in terms of attendance. Despite that, it still features a number of engaging rides, and the smaller crowds mean much less wait time for the attractions. Disney often offers "2-fer" tickets, allowing people who buy passes to Disneyland to enter California Adventure for free.
1580 S. Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA
Tel: (714) 300-7800
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain is the California branch of the Six Flags amusement park franchise in Valencia, about an hour north of Los Angeles. Unable to compete with Disneyland for the family market and faced with the task of enticing people to drive further to get there, it responded by turning itself into a mecca for roller coaster fans. It contains some of the fastest and most extreme roller coasters in California, several of them based on superheroes from DC Comics.
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
Tel: (661) 255-4100
Great America
California's Great America used to be a part of the Six Flags franchise, but now operates under different ownership. It reflects Six Flags' emphasis on roller coasters, with speedy rides such as Vortex and the Grizzly, but also stresses family rides, concerts and stunt shows. It's based in Santa Clara, south of San Francisco, making it the premiere theme park in the Bay Area.
4701 Great America Pkwy.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: (408) 988-1776
Legoland California
Legoland is based in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, and it stresses an atmosphere for younger children and families. Its rides and attractions are all based around Lego themes---exploring worlds created by the ubiquitous toy bricks---and while it can't compete with other California them parks for fast rides, parents often appreciate the gentler approach it takes. Its proximity to San Diego also makes it close to other attractions such as Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
One Legoland Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Tel: (760) 918-5346
About the Author:
Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University.
