California isn't just about package deals and pricey entertainment, though. There are plenty of quality experiences available in California to those on a budget – the climate alone is worth traveling for!
The hundred-year history of this unique theme park is a testament to its iconic allure. What was once a simple family farm has grown into a vast 160-acre playground that's enjoyed by families from all over the world. From the waterpark to famous farm cuisine and the Old West Ghost Town, the delights of this characterful attraction never cease to please its patrons, both young and old.
This sprawling theme park is located approximately 40 miles from Downtown San Francisco. Its impressive range of roller coasters twist and tower above the Northern California landscape. Thrill seekers will be delighted to hear that Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has plenty of white-knuckle rides on offer, while still offering exceptional value for money.
Adrenaline junkies make the pilgrimage to California from all over the world. Known as the epicenter of many of the planet's fastest and most famous rides, California boasts some of the most thrilling amusement parks.
Six Flags is home to some of California's most extreme thrill rides. The Apocalypse roller coaster drops you from a height of 75 feet, while Batman: The Ride takes you on a curious loop-the-loop trail at what feels like supersonic speed. For those who like their fun fuel injected, there's Full Throttle, a ride that features 160-foot loops. Ever ridden a hypercoaster? Goliath is even faster than your usual roller coaster and tops out at a height of 255 dizzying feet.
Home to the Gold Striker, a wooden roller coaster which is considered amongst the best in the world, California’s Great America is a great option for those located or traveling to the Bay Area. Located around 8 miles from Downtown San Jose, this multifaceted park has something for the whole family to enjoy. Roller coaster fans will also love Patriot and Flight Deck.
Visit SeaWorld San Diego for less with a joint pass, which lets you access San Diego Zoo, the Safari Park, and Seaworld over the course of several days. The CityPASS also reduces the price of your ticket. Inside SeaWorld, you'll get the chance to experience dynamic animal shows featuring all your furry (and scaly) favorites, and ride gripping roller coasters.
California amusement park vacations are a child's dream. Come to the place with "where dreams are made." It's not just the prevalence of fairytale castles, though. California's amusement parks are plentiful, and young and old will marvel at this mecca of Western entertainment.
Built under the watchful eye of Walt Disney, Disneyland California may be 50 years old, but offers plenty of fast-paced entertainment. Eight themed districts let visitors explore a shifting mirage of fanciful environments, each with exciting themed rides. Splash about on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, or whizz along the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Don't miss California Screamin', a state-of-the-art roller coaster that will leave you breathless.
This 72-acre theme park is devoted to a figure that looms large among California's cultural giants. Disney's influence on the state is as vast as the roller coasters that dominate the park's skyline. You'll meet all of your favorite cartoon characters from the worlds of Pixar and Marvel, too. Explore the seven themed regions of the park, all crammed with roller coasters, rides, and other attractions.
Compared with the premium amusement alternatives available in California, this LEGO-themed park purveys more cost-effective fun. The park is constructed of more than 20 million LEGO bricks. With an extensive miniature park, aquarium, and plenty of roller coasters, there's much enjoyment to be had here, whatever your age.
| 📏 Average home size | 185 m² |
|---|---|
| 🥳 Busiest month | November |
| 🛏️ Popular home types | Apartment rental and House rental |
| 🌡️ Hottest months | 97 °F in July and August |
| ❄️ Coldest months | January and December |
| 🌧️ Rainiest months | 10 rainy days in March and December |
There is a lot of House rental and Apartment rental that are perfect for California Amusement Park Vacation.
You can get a great vacation home from $391 and get discounts up to 62%!
The average size for a House rental is 185 m² and may fit 8 people on average which is great for large groups.
Want to plan a thrilling theme park vacation in California? To celebrate the start of amusement park season, HomeToGo has released it's annual ranking of the top theme parks in California. From Santa Monica to Santa Clara, we've researched the latest prices at some of the biggest and most popular theme parks across the state.
To help our travelers plan an unforgettable getaway, this index takes into account each park's affordability as well as the number of rides and attractions. This invaluable information will let you know where you can find the most thrills for your dollar this summer.
So fasten your shoulder straps and get ready to dive into the 2023 California Theme Park Index.
For more info on the prices and how we scored this index, please see the methodology below.
Spotlight: Top 5 Best and Most Affordable Theme Parks
Based on HomeToGo’s research, here’s a snapshot of the most affordable theme parks to visit this summer:
2. Knott's Berry Farm
3. California Great Adventure
4. Six Flags Magic Mountain
5. Belmont Park
The theme parks included in this ranking include those that are located in California and are most searched by travelers using HomeToGo.com with travel dates between June 1st, 2023 and August 31st, 2023. In order to rank these theme parks, we researched 5 data points: the price of entry, the price of parking, the price of a nearby accommodations, the number of roller coasters, and the number of other attractions. After obtaining the raw data, we combined the data points into either Total Cost or Total Attractions and assigned each them a representative numerical value between 0 and 20, with 0 representing the lowest data point and 20 representing the highest data point. The hypothetical "perfect score" would be 40 out of 40. We used the following equation in order to calculate this for every factor:
Score(i) = 20 · (x(i) - xmin ) / (xmax - xmin )
Affordability Score
Total Cost: Entry + Parking + Accommodation
Entry: Online price for an adult 1-day, any day entry ticket in the peak season. If dynamic pricing was enabled, June 3rd 2023 was used as the dummy date.
Parking: Online price for 1 day of regular parking, purchased in advance, as listed on park website. If dynamic pricing was enabled, June 3rd 2023 was used as the dummy date.
Accommodation: Median nightly price per person to stay in an accommodation found nearby on HomeToGo.com between the dates of June 1st, 2023 and August 31st, 2023.
Attractions Score
Total Attractions: Roller coasters + Other Attractions
Roller coasters: Based on the number of active roller coasters listed on coasterpedia.com.
Other attractions: Based on the number of rides, experiences, exhibits, and simulations listed on coasterpedia.com.
Research was conducted during May 2023. Processing fees and taxes not included. For additional information and interview requests, please contact [email protected].
