9 Southern California Amusement Parks for Families

Alexandra F.:  I visited SeaWorld recently for the first time in years and our whole family had so much fun! It was honestly way better than I remembered from when I was a kid. They had just enough thrill rides to keep my teens happy, and so many fun animal exhibits and incredible shows. My 5- and 3-year-olds could have spent the entire day playing at the incredible playground, and my husband and I thought the whole day felt a lot more manageable than most other large theme parks. We'll definitely be going back! An online search turned up quite a few deals, too, so it was way more affordable than a day at Disney. Beware the food lines are crazy long for much of the day, though they were pretty fast when the park first opened. You can also order ahead on the app, and while it still takes a while, it does save some time.

Legoland has all kinds of thrilling rides and attractions where kids can build (and power) their own creations. The water park has its own unique attractions, plus there's a SEA LIFE Aquarium where kids can get up close and personal with sharks, octopi, and more!

Erynn:  Giant rollercoasters, bumper cars, a carousel, and tilt-a-whirl are just a few of the attractions at Belmont Park, and there are plenty of shops, games, and restaurants to satisfy the whole family. And, admission (and parking!) is free, so you only pay for the attractions you want to go on.

From pirates and princesses, to everyone's favorite mouse, there is lots of family fun to be had at Disneyland! Attractions range from tot-friendly rides to exciting roller coasters, as well as popular themed adventures like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Families can also choose from a great selection of fast-casual and sit-down dining, as well as enjoy shows, fireworks, and the kids' favorite Disney characters. Extend your fun with a visit to Disney California Adventure Park & Downtown Disney.

Between the arcade, children's theater, petting zoo, and a long list of family-friendly rides, there's something for everyone at Adventure City. Some rides have no height or age minimums (carousel, Rescue 911, train, mini Ferris wheel) while others are for bigger thrill-seekers. There's even a Thomas the Tank Engine area where kids (and parents) can build tracks and play together.

From its roots as a berry stand in the 1920s, Knott's has long since evolved into one of Southern California's most popular theme parks, home to thrill rides, family rides, kids' rides, and live shows and entertainment.

Little kids and big kids alike love Universal Studios Hollywood! Check out kid-friendly attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Super Silly Fun Land, or have some pulse-pounding fun on Jurassic Park the Ride and King Kong 360 3-D. And no visit to Universal Studios is complete without a trip to Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or Super Nintendo World! Keep your eyes peeled for character sightings of Dora, Sponge Bob, Scooby Doo, The Simpsons and others. Families can also enjoy great dining, shopping, and entertainment both in the park and at CityWalk.

Located on the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park features 12 thrilling rides, midway games, ocean-front specialty food, and seaside shopping.

A destination for thrill-seekers, Six Flags Magic Mountain claimed the Guinness Book of World Records title for the Most Roller Coasters in One Theme Park in 2022 with 20 roller coasters. Though the park also has milder family and kids rides, the rollercoasters are the big draw, so it's especially fun for teens and older.