Page 28 - 2022-2023 Travel Guide to California

THEME PARKS
ENTRANCE TO LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA, right.
Other Bay Area Parks
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to two
other popular parks: California’s Great
America (in Santa Clara) and Six Flags Dis-
covery Kingdom (in Vallejo).
California’s Great America is a top desti-
nation for thrill-seekers and families alike
and the only amusement park in Northern
California that includes a water park
with park admission. Last summer, Great
America opened South Bay Shores, a newly
transformed 15-acre water park. The park
is also known for its rides, which range
from scream-inducing (Flight Deck, a roller
coaster, has one 360-degree loop and
a zero-gravity roll) to family-friendly
(the Carousel Columbia—a double-decker
carousel standing more than 100 feet tall).
The vibe at Discovery Kingdom is more
eclectic. In addition to rides such as the
thrilling Medusa roller coaster, BATMAN:
The Ride is a world-class 4D Free Fly
Coaster that thrusts you into a totally
immersive, high-speed Gotham City adven-
ture. Riders flip head-over-heels at least six
times along a weightless, tumbling journey
with unexpected drops and vertical free-
falls. The park also is home to a number of
animals, such as giraffes, lions, penguins
and Siberian and Bengal tigers.
San Diego Area Parks
San Diego and its surrounding suburbs also
comprise a great region for theme parks.
Out near Mission Bay, in San Diego
proper, SeaWorld is a sprawling homage to
dozens of different species of marine life,
including dolphins, sea lions, walruses,
polar bears and beluga whales. Throughout
the animal-themed exhibits at SeaWorld
San Diego, you’ll learn about the park’s
ongoing work in the rescue and rehabilita-
tion of sick, injured and orphaned
26 2022-23 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
wildlife—over 39,000 animals spanning
a duration of more than 50 years.
New on the rides circuit this year is
Emperor, the tallest, fastest and longest
dive coaster in California. With speeds up
to 60 miles per hour through exhilarating
loops and a 90 degree plunge, this Emperor
penguin-inspired ride will excite and thrill.
The all-new 17-acre Sesame Place theme
park San Diego recently opened in Chula
Vista and features shows, exciting water
attractions and 18 Sesame Street-themed
rides, including the Elmo rocket ship ride
into outer space and a family-friendly
rollercoaster. It is a Certified Autisum
Center (CAC) and part of the SeaWorld
Entertainment family of parks.
In the nearby community of Carlsbad,
Legoland is dedicated to tiny plastic bricks
(“Legos”). The park incorporates rides,
shows, activities, eateries and hotels.
Lego Movie World is a new theme area
which opened last year, joining the nine
other existing lands of the park and is based
on the Lego Movie shows. Queen Waterva’s
Carousel and Emmet’s Flying Adventure
Ride are two of the newest attractions.
The new LEGO Ferrari Build and Race is
coming this spring and features a life-sized
LEGO Ferrari F40 for photo ops. Then build
your own LEGO Ferrari car. Completed
cars are digitally projected on a racetrack
featuring obstacles, challenges and a com-
petition for the fastest race time.
CityPASS
Once you’ve decided where to go, CityPASS
can save you time and money. For Southern
California, CityPASS tickets help visitors
create and save on individualized ticket
packages to attractions such as Disneyland
Resort, Legoland California, SeaWorld San
Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood and
San Diego Zoo. Prices and savings vary,
depending on which parks you choose and
for how many days.
FIND YOUR
FANTASY
Universal Studios Hollywood
universalstudioshollywood.com
Children’s Fairyland
fairyland.org
Disneyland
disneyland.disney.go.com
California’s Great America
cagreatamerica.com
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
Legoland California
legoland.com/california
SeaWorld
seaworld.com/san-diego
Knott’s Berry Farm
knotts.com
CityPASS
citypass.com
LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT