Page 24 - 2024/2025 Travel Guide to CALIFORNIA

THEME PARKS
SEA LION RETURN, SeaWorld Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program, right; Manzanita Lake and Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, opposite.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm began in the 1920s as a family-run roadside berry stand. With a growing number of visitors, other shops and attractions were added; and, over the years, it transformed into a 160-acre amusement park. Now owned by Cedar Fair, this destination includes thrilling rides, shows, restaurants and attractions in four themed areas: Ghost Town, Fiesta Vil- lage, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy.
Other Bay Area Parks
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to two popular parks: California’s Great America (in Santa Clara) and Six Flags Discovery 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. Visitors can expect a fully restored Carousel Columbia and Cele- bration Swings as well as a new open air look for American Café, complete with mobile ordering. The park is also known for its rides, which range from scream- inducing like Flight Deck, a roller coaster with one 360-degree loop and a zero-gravity roll to other family-friendly rides.
The vibe at Six Flags 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 adventure. 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 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 rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife—over 40,000 animals spanning a duration of more than 50 years.
A recent addition is Emperor, the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in Cali- fornia. With speeds up to 60 miles per hour through exhilarating loops and a 90 degree plunge, this Emperor penguin-inspired ride is exciting and thrilling.
The 17-acre Sesame Place San Diego theme park which has opened in Chula Vista features shows and 18 Sesame Street- themed rides and exciting water attractions, including the Elmo rocket ship ride and a family-friendly roller coaster. It is a Certi- fied 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 more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, for families with children aged 2 to 12.
LEGO Movie World is a theme area which
opened in 2021, 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 features a life-sized LEGO Ferrari F40 for photo ops. Then build your own LEGO Fer- rari car. Completed cars are digitally projected on a racetrack featuring obsta- cles, challenges and a competition for the fastest race time.
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
22 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT. OPPOSITE: CHRIS FLENTYE