The San Diego Safari Zoo, one of the best amusement parks in California, is the ideal destination if you want to get a close-up look at animals, such as giraffes and elephants. You may reserve a variety of safaris at this park, which is a little over 30 miles northeast of San Diego and its companion zoo. These safaris focus on various animals and are suitable for a variety of age groups. All ages may enjoy the Roar & Snore Safari, which allows you to get close to animals while they go about their nocturnal routines and even spend the night at the park. Carousel rides, goat petting, and play areas are all fun activities for younger park visitors. Buy a two-visit pass to visit the San Diego Zoo after traveling through its sibling park, Safari Park.

Consider selecting one of the numerous nearby hotels, such as the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego La Jolla or the San Diego Mission Bay Resort, if you want to visit the San Diego Zoo Safari Park during the day and stay somewhere else at night.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027
• Phone: +1 619-231-1515
• Google rating: 4.7/5
• Ticket: $65
• Activities: San Diego Zoo Safari Park IIII, Bernardo Winery
• Website: sdzsafaripark.org/tickets

Family-friendly entertainment may be found at Knott's Berry Farm, a theme park that got its start as a roadside fruit store in the 1920s. This amusement parks in California, is home to several attractions of the highest caliber as well as Knott's Soak City, a water park with 23 slides, a wave pool, and other amenities. For different tastes and ages, the theme park is divided into four distinct areas: the Camp Snoopy park, which has kid-friendly attractions; the Old West Ghost Town, which has a ton of roller coasters; the Fiesta Village, which pays homage to California's Hispanic heritage; and the Boardwalk, which has swing rides, drop rides, and other vertiginous thrills.

If you're thinking about going, you should absolutely get a room at the nearby Knott's Berry Farm Hotel. Families will find alternatives for rooms that are spacious, and the hotel features an expansive outdoor pool with a kids' splash area.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620
• Phone: +1 714-220-5200
• Google rating: 4.6/5
• Ticket: $69
• Activities: HangTime, Independence Hall At Knotts Berry Farm
• Website: knotts.com

Six Flags Magic Mountain, a family-friendly amusement parks in California featuring rides and activities for guests of all ages, is located about 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The park presently has 19 roller coasters, and Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, the world's longest and tallest single-rail coaster, is scheduled to debut in summer 2022. One of the best theme parks in the United States also offers a variety of smaller rides for children and families, as well as a wide selection of on-site culinary options and evening entertainment.

Among the park’s world-class roller coasters and thrill rides are Twisted Colossus, one of the world’s longest hybrid coaster; Full Throttle, the world’s tallest and fastest looping coaster; LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom, one of the world’s tallest vertical drop ride; Tatsu, the tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster on Earth; and much more. The park provides summertime passes as well as single-day access. Consider staying nearby at the Courtyard by Marriott Valencia or the Best Western Valencia Inn for extended stays.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355
• Phone: +1 661-255-4100
• Google rating: 4.5/5
• Ticket: $75
• Activities: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Westfield Valencia Town Center
• Website: sixflags.com/magicmountain

Sonoma, a county in Northern California known for its bucolic charms and array of wineries, could also be described as Napa's rustic, less-refined and more-relaxed sister. Its rolling hills, which rise into the Sonoma Mountains and descend to the Pacific shore, also contain a cache of small cities that are worth a visit: Try Santa Rosa for an urban escape, complete with museums and buzzy restaurants, but pop by Glen Ellen for a slice of small-town Americana

A "10-acre ornate table top railroad, which is outside and rideable," as Sonoma TrainTown Railroad's creator once put it, sums up what has been luring railway lovers and families to this park for more than 50 years. This vibrant theme park in Sonoma offers 20-minute journeys on a quarter-scale train to see a miniature hamlet and a petting zoo in addition to rides with a railroad theme like the High Iron Ferris wheel and Iron Horse Carousel.

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa and MacArthur Place are upscale lodging alternatives that are both less than half a mile away. Staying here will allow you time to explore the region's renowned vineyards once you've finished riding TrainTown's tracks.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 20264 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476
• Phone: +1 707-938-3912
• Google rating: 4.5/5
• Ticket: $8.75
• Activities: Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley Including Lunch, Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
• Website: traintown.com

Everybody may have fun at Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, which is located approximately 30 miles south of San Jose. However, this place is certainly aimed for families with young children. A rotating strawberry ride, a rattlesnake kiddie coaster, a Ferris wheel above the greenhouse, and an elaborate carousel are just a few of the rides and attractions that were all created with the park's garden concept in mind. In addition to a splash garden, boat rides, and tiny waterslides, this theme park's spectacular gardens display flowers, plants, and vistas that harken back to bygone eras.

Despite being a little town far from the bustle of California's big cities, Gilroy nonetheless has a lot of lodging options close by. Econo Lodge is one hotel less than five miles from Gilroy Gardens.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA 95020
• Phone: +1 408-840-7100
• Google rating: 4.5/5
• Ticket: $50
• Activities: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip from San Jose, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour
• Website: gilroygardens.org

In addition to educational exhibits and encounters with wonderful animals like dolphins, beluga whales, harbor seals, and orcas, the roughly 200-acre SeaWorld San Diego park in San Diego's Mission Bay area also provides a ton of thrilling rides and roller coasters to break up the enjoyment. Emperor, the newest coaster in the park and the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the world, hangs and plunges riders 90 degrees without a floor. It is named after Emperor penguins. Try the iconic Electric Eel multi-launch coaster, Shipwreck Rapids water attraction, or the family-friendly Tentacle Twirl instead of braving the 14-story vertical plunge.

A stay at the close-by Bahia Resort Hotel or possibly the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, one of the top family hotels in San Diego, is recommended for those who wish to spend a few days touring SeaWorld and other San Diego attractions.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
• Phone: +1 619-222-4732
• Google rating: 4.4/5
• Ticket: $59.99
• Activities: Tidal Twister Roller Coaster, Explorer’s Reef
• Website: seaworld.com/san-diego/

California's Great America in Santa Clara, less than 10 miles from San Jose, provides day and season passes with unlimited visits, making it an excellent option for a family vacation or a visit if you live close. Regardless, this Silicon Valley theme park features more than 60 rides, including anything from a carousel to a swing ride to roller coasters, as well as live music shows and the on-site South Bay Shores water park. Demon and Flight Deck are two well-liked coasters at the park; they both flip riders upside down as they fly by at breakneck speeds.

There are several of lodging options nearby, especially in Santa Clara. The Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and the Hilton Santa Clara are two well-liked hotels close to the park.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054
• Phone: +1 408-988-1776
• Google rating: 4.4/5
• Ticket: $45
• Activities: Levi's Stadium, AMC Mercado 20
• Website: cagreatamerica.com

About 50 miles east of Los Angeles, in Riverside, Castle Park provides entertainment options for every traveler's taste, whether they prefer to ride roller coasters, play a round of mini golf on one of four courses, visit the arcade, or take advantage of the water attractions at the nearby Buccaneer Cove water park. The kid-friendly Merlin's Revenge coaster, the calm Dragon Flyer ride that lifts passengers into the air, and the 35-foot-high Screamin' Demon roller coaster are just a few of the 27 rides available at Castle Park. The park hosts dance parties all summer long, and performances and activities like a magic show are available all year long.

If you want to spend a few days enjoying the rides and family-friendly activities, there are several places to stay close by. You might reserve a place at the Days Inn by Wyndham Riverside Tyler Mall or the Riverside Inn & Suites to stay a mile from Castle Park.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 3500 Polk St., Riverside, CA 92505
• Phone: +1 951-785-3000
• Google rating: 4.3/5
• Ticket: $64.99
• Activities: Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon, Swan Boat Rental in Echo Park
• Website: castlepark.com

Visit Sesame Place San Diego, one of the best theme parks in California, which is home to more than 50 attractions at this theme park, including the famous Gold Striker wooden roller coaster. The water park next to California's Great America is included in the admission ticket, unlike the other theme parks on this list. Therefore, visitors can experience Boomerang Bay water park and all the exciting activities in Great America with one cheap ticket.

Along with the scrumptious Mexican food, vibrant nightlife, and one of the nation's favorite zoos, San Diego's year-round sunny weather and 70 miles of spectacular coastline attract sunbathers and athletes both. The beaches are another option. Go surfing at Mission Beach, sunbathing at La Jolla, and taking a leisurely stroll along the coast at Coronado. Additionally, San Diego is the location of some of the top California excursions, such as fishing charters, boat tours, and whale watching trips. Pockets of vibrant nightlife can be found all around the city when you're ready to trade in your flip-flops and board shorts for more formal wear, particularly close to the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

There are numerous hotels in the San Diego area close by if you're thinking about visiting Sesame Place and need a place to stay. The Hampton Inn & Suites Imperial Beach San Diego and the IHG hotel Holiday Inn Express San Diego South - National City are two family-friendly choices.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911
• Phone:+1 619-943-3566
• Google rating: 4.2/5
• Ticket: $59.99
• Activities: Splashy Water Slides, Family-Friendly Rides
• Website: sesameplace.com/san-diego/

At this mixed amusement and wildlife park in Vallejo, just 30 miles from San Francisco, families will never run out of kid-approved things to do and see. A wide range of animal attractions, exhilarating rides, and live entertainment can be found at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. While thrill-seekers may ride the park's Batman ride, Dare Devil Chaos Coaster, or The Joker - a "maniacal" new coaster - children who love animals can get to know dolphins during a performance, watch tigers swim, or wander through an underwater tunnel to observe the sharks.

You could think about spending many days at the park to experience all Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has to offer. There are so many animals to view, rides to enjoy, and foods to try. The Courtyard by Marriott Vallejo Napa Valley and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Spa Napa Valley - American Canyon are two hotels and resorts close by.

CONTACT INFO:

• Address: 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589
• Phone: +1 707-644-4000
• Google rating: 4.1/5
• Ticket: $39.99
• Activities: San Francisco Bay Ferry Vallejo Service, Napa Smith Brewery
• Website: sixflags.com/discoverykingdom