Diversions are as plentiful as sunshine in California. One of the most popular outlets: original theme parks. These attractions are meccas to amusement, each focusing rides and exhibits around different concepts such as fairies, film, plastic blocks, sea life and an inimitable mouse. Most of the parks are situated in the southern part of the state (where the weather is generally warmer), but the granddaddy of them all is up north.

Universal Studios Hollywood

This film-themed park got its formal start in the 1960s when walk-throughs of Universal Studios soundstages and sets were expanded to include peeks at actual production. Over the years, the studio added a tram to shuttle visitors through the back lot; this tram remains the best way to experience stunt demonstrations and staged events (such as an encounter with the shark from Jaws).

Among the amusement thrills, find SuperNintendo World, which opened recently, located in a newly expanded area of the park. It features the Mario Kart: Browser’s Challenge ride, Browser’s Castle and the Toadstool Cafe.  Power-Up Bands, wearable wristbands, sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to enhance the many interactive elements within the land. 

The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is a dark ride. Take on the role of a stray puppy in search of a forever home as you’re whisked around New York City meeting animated figures from the Secret Life of Pets movies along the way. Continued favorites are Jurassic World — The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with a replica of Hogwarts castle and a recreation of the shops of Hogsmeade. This section is home to two rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Flight of the Hippogriff.

The park is divided into two areas connected by escalators: the Upper and Lower lots. Transformers: The Ride 3-D is on the Lower Lot. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a 3-D simulator ride, and Super Silly Fun Land, an outdoor family-friendly playground, are on the upper lot.

Children’s Fairyland

Believe it or not, the first theme park in the U.S. to cater to families with young children was Children’s Fairyland, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland. The place opened in 1950 (original admission started between 9 and 14 cents), making it the first official theme park in California, as well. According to some, it was one of Walt Disney’s inspir-ations for the eponymous park he created five years later.

Today, Fairyland includes small rides such as a mini Ferris wheel and carousels, and life-sized sets depicting scenes from timeless storybooks (The Old Lady in the Shoe and The Alice in Wonderland Tunnel are two favorites). The theme park also is home to the Storybook Puppet Theater, which opened in 1956. A number of the country’s most famous puppeteers got their start here, including a teenager by the name of Frank Oznowicz. You likely know him as Frank Oz.

Disneyland

California’s most famous theme park opened in 1955 with one hotel. Since the 1990s it has grown exponentially, adding a new theme park—Disney California Adventure, a shopping district—Downtown Disney, as well as additional hotels. 

There’s even a reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown, including CenTOONial Park and a dreaming tree. Guests can also board Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway with Goofy as the engineer on a madcap, out-of-control cartoon adventure.

The newest themed area or “land” is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Be part of a six-person crew on “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” where you walk through a full-sized replica of the Millennium Falcon and then climb into the cockpit where Hondo Ohnaka leads a secret mission to steal coaxium for the Resistance. Each person has a role assignment—a pilot, gunner or engineer. “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” is a massive, multi-platform attraction, unlike anything else at Disneyland. Captured guests are in an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, boarding an Imperial Star Destroyer with animatronic storm-troopers and Kylo Ren. A team of Resistance fighters with Rey and BB-8 are there to help you escape. 

Also added to the mix is a Marvel-themed land, Avengers Campus, which recently opened at Disney California Adventure with an interactive 3-D ride, including other attractions like Spider-Man—WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure.