
If you are a kid or kid at heart there’s a SoCal theme park for you. Orange County is a tourist destination visited by more than 18 million travelers a year. Known for its famous beautiful beaches, warm weather, foodie treats and unique theme parks there’s something for everyone. Theme Parks are always on the list when visiting Orange County for solo travelers and families alike. The Theme Parks alone are enough to attract millions of travelers a year with Disneyland being the second most visited Theme Park in the World. So pack those bags and get ready for a ride you won’t soon forget to one of Orange County’s favorite thrill seeking destinations. Let’s take a look at some of the famous theme parks in sunny Orange County, California.

Disneyland
Many children dream of meeting the Disney characters they’ve watched in popular shows and movies. Disneyland is a dream come true for many both young and old alike. Lighting up the hearts and minds of all ages Disneyland attracts guest from all over the world. Located in the heart of Anaheim, California Disneyland attracts Millions of visitors each and every year. Disney brings dreams to life with different sections throughout the park modeling different genres and movies. Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Main Street USA, Mickey’s Toon Town, Critter Country and so much more. Make your way inside and the sleeping beauty castle awaits you. Hop on rides based on your favorite Disney characters and movies. Stop and watch a parade, get futuristic in Tomorrow land or check out Star War’s Galaxy’s Edge.
Take a spin on the teacups, ride on dumbo the flying elephant, have an adventure with Indiana Jones. Meet your favorite Disney characters. Eat a Mickey themed ice cream bar or check out one of the many many restaurants. Take a walk nearby down the famous Garden Walk and listen to music at the Hard Rock Café. Disneyland brings a day to remember that will surely leave you asking for more.

Disney's California Adventure
Right next to Disneyland Park is Disneyland’s California Adventure, Adjacent to Disneyland but filled with more… well ADVENTURE! The 72-acre theme park of California Adventure consists of rides with experiences based on the themes of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters. As you enter Buena Vista Street you’re transported back to old world Los Angeles, adrenaline gushes from the young and old alike looking at the 6072 ft. long Pixar’s Pier Incredicoaster and 150 ft. tall Pixar Pal-a-Round Farris wheel. Buena Vista Street is the gateway into Hollywood Land, Pacific Wharf and Grizzly Peak.
Check out rides like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Ride the rapids of the Grizzly River Run, cruise on the Radiator Springs Racers. As you roam around the park meet and greet your favorite frozen duo Elsa and Anna or stop and say hello to an Avenger. In Car’s Land take a wild ride on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters or check out Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. At the end of the day, Disneyland California adventure park has got you covered from fun to food there’s something for everyone.
Knotts Berry Farm
Buena Park’s hometown gem since the 1920s, Knotts Berry farm is one of the oldest and the largest theme parks in California. Perfect for the adrenaline junkies Knott’s is known for its thrilling rides. This all age adventure park covers everyone from the thrill seeker in your group to the littles. It spreads into four themed lands the Old Western Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy. The Old Western Ghost Town is themed after California’s Calico Ghost Town, Fiesta Village pays tribute to California’s Spanish and Mexican Heritage, the Boardwalk brings that SoCal Beach Vibe and Camp Snoopy is for the youngest members of your group. The Old West Ghost Town is brought to life with cowboys, can-can dancers, a steam train, and stagecoaches. Those who visit here and seek some thrill do not miss out on the ghost rider, the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster on the west coast and the silver bullet coaster, a roller coaster that climbs to 146 ft!
Knott’s very own kid’s favorite playland, Camp Snoopy brings the Peanut’s Gang to life! With over 15 attractions; the kids can have fun flying on Charlie brown’s kite flyer or taking a bumpy ride on pig pen’s mud buggies. Craving more thrill? Then stop by and visit fiesta village and experience daring rides such as sol spin and Montezooma’s revenge. It’s still not over yet, as the boardwalk awaits the adrenaline junkies with California’s first dive coaster, hangtime, and thrilling rides like Xcelerator and supreme scream.

Knott's Soak City
Adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm is a place to spend those hot summer days, Knott’s soak city is a 15-acre waterpark. Knott’s Soak City is open from mid-May to early September. Check out its 23 water slides, ride the waves at the Wedge a 750,000-gallon wave pool, relax in the lazy river or sunset river, the kids can play at the Knott’s three-story beach house for some fun. Want a little extra? You can also book a cabana near the wave pool for you and your guests to relax.
The cabanas let you and 8 of your guests relax while enjoying food and drinks poolside. Smile and say cheese! Get your photo taken while slip sliding down a water slide and purchase your very own copy to remember a fun day at the park. After working up an appetite don’t forget to stop by one of Knott’s Soak City’s restaurant’s Longboards Grill or Portside Pizza.

Balboa Island Fun Zone
Since 1936 The Balboa Fun zone has been an Orange County staple. A boardwalk in Newport Beach that’s nostalgic for so many locals and visitors alike. While Orange County has many options for Theme Parks the Balboa Fun Zone is a laid back place to walk around, grab a bite to eat, shop local shops or ride the Famous Balboa Island Ferris wheel. Play games at the balboa arcade or rent a bike and bike around the Peninsula. The Balboa fun zone is Southern California’s oldest coastal amusement area.
Sit back and relax on the famous Balboa Ferris wheel with cool breezes and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Rent a Duffy boat and enjoy a ride on the beautiful Pacific Ocean while touring the waterfront homes near the bay on a harbor cruise. The area offers other water sports like parasailing, paddle boarding, sports fishing, and whale watching. The kids can play games at the balboa arcade or enjoy bicycling by the sea.
Adventure City
Anaheim’s smallest and budget friendly theme park for the littles is Adventure City. The park consists of 17 rides, for riders under 4 ft. so that the little ones can have fun without fear. A mini-Ferris wheel, mini train, 20-horse carousel, and crazy bus are some of the rides that little one’s love at adventure city. The families can have fun together on a family shuttle coaster or take a trip around the park with children on the express train. Take your little animal lovers to the adventure city petting farm, where they can pet sheep, cows, goats, and pigs. You can have fun playing challenging and skill-based games with your kids at the arcade or engage your little ones at the Thomas the Tank engine creative play. Adventure City will customize your next celebration and will help to make it a memorable day for your littles and your guests.
Wild Rivers
One of Southern California’s favorite water parks is back in Irvine. 20 acres of water rides, wave pools, lazy rivers, raft rides, body slides, cabanas and kids play areas making a splash at the newest water park in Orange County. Get your tickets and season passes here