Favorite 'other' So-Cal park About This Page:

[loobyoxlip]

For those of you that have traveled to other parks than Disneyland in Southern California, what's your favorite? Every year I say we will go somewhere other than DL, but it just never happens.

[zacksmom_1993]

Zack would say Legoland, I'd say Universal Studios Hollywood. Legoland is amazing. It's more like Epcot than Magic Kingdom with lots of neat things to walk around and see. There's this incredible miniature land with Lego models of Sydney, San Francisco, Washington DC, etc. They have a cool area where the kids can sign up to build their own Lego robot, and a couple of moderate kids roller coasters. I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Universal because it feels like a theme park put on top of a movie studio, and not the other way around. It's amazing (to me) to be on the actual movie sets. The last time I was there they had just started filming a new TV show called, wait for it... Desperate Housewives. Wisteria Lane is actually the straight out of the box set from the backlot tour at Universal. Actually, someone said it was a good indication the show wouldn't go very far because they weren't doing any original set design for it. Though they're not theme parks, per se, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park are also worth a look.

[DopeyGirl]

San Diego Zoo is as good as it gets for me! I am not a big fan of the other LA area amusement or theme parks . . . but I love me some San Diego Zoo! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Tink and co.]

Legoland is our favorite past DL--It was awesome when the kids were little. They still enjoy it now, but it was heaven for the preschool set!

[sprite70]

Seaworld...fun and educational. We go every few years. We go to San Diego about once a year, sometimes 2x.

[DebiDebiDebi]

I have several for different reasons. If you like Coasers, Knott's Berry Farm has some AWESOME rides! Legoland is a great park for kids (probably 12 and under). Seaworld has great shows and areas where you can pet a dolphin or a stingray. Universal has great theming...there are many great adventures waiting in Southern California!

[duck addict]

If you really like coasters, then Magic Mountain (about 1 hr to the north.) If you like a themed park with coasters, then Knotts Berry Farm (a personal favorite-I went there as a kid when the only rides were the train and stage coach [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/whistling2.gif[/img]) Knotts has a wonderful chicken dinner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/hungry.gif[/img]

[barries5199]

DS & I just returned from a mini-vacation to Legoland. He's 10, and loved it. He's not a big fan of roller coasters (none in Alaska, where he was born and lived until 6 months ago), and actually hated me for the 10 minutes after we rode one in Legoland, but there was so much else to do and look at there. He actually took the digital camera and wandered around "Mini Land" while I built a Lego flower for the garden they're "growing." He came back to me asking, "Mom, what does memory card full mean?"--he had taken about 100 pictures just in that one area!!

I don't know how soon we'll go back or how much longer it will hold his interest, but he really seemed to enjoy the 2 days we spent there.

[bradk]

last year, I went to the LA Zoo, up and down Hollywood Blvd, Universal Studios, Disneyland, Wild Animal Park, SD Zoo, Legoland, Sea World and hung around Griffith Park.

there was nothing I didn't like. what i'm probably most likely to do again (but i'm not) is USH, SD Zoo and Sea world.

[Joy J]

Since we're going to be out there for two weeks, we're currently trying to decide which other attractions to hit other than Disneyland and DCA. So everyone's opinions are very helpful to me. For those of you who have been to Legoland, is it strictly a place to go if you have children or could adults who are young at heart have fun here?

Joy

[bradk]

it is geared for those under 12, but if you have an appreciation of legos, it's a good time. i rode basically every attraction i could (including the knights tournament which had just opened - crazy). the miniland, usa is great too. lots of detail and hidden things to look for (there's supposedly a guy mooning the president but i never found him).

i have photos on my site in the socal trip portion.

[IdahoDisneyMom]

Knott's Berry Farm
It's got a nice, family feel, and lots of good ride selection.
LegoLand
If you've got young kids with you, this park can't be beat (except by DL!). It's clean, and there's LOTS of good stuff to do. We used to have annual passes when we lived in SoCal.