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Both large and small amusement parks are listed below. Click on the links to reach the amusement parks' web pages where you'll find a summary of attractions, prices, hours, and directions.

The "mega" parks, such as Discovery Kingdom and Great America, feature the "thrill" rides and attractions that appeal to pre-teens and teens. However, these parks also have "kiddie" areas and family shows that are fun for younger children.

The ticket prices for the big amusement parks can be steep. Look for coupons and special promotions. Your employer may also sell discounted passes. Season passes are a good deal, if you think you'll go more than a couple times each season.

Bigger isn't always better when it comes to amusement parks. Younger children are usually quite happy with a few simple rides and a nice playground area. Smaller amusement parks have reasonable admission fees or pay-as-you-ride attractions and many allow you to bring picnic food. You can have a fun day without spending a fortune or feeling like you didn't get your money's worth when your child tires out after just a few hours.

Local zoos also have rides for a nice balance of nature, education and fun. Visit our Animals page for more information. Many local parks have train rides, carousels, and nice play areas. Visit our Parks page for more information. Some Entertainment Centers have rides and games.

Amusement Parks

The Nut Tree Family Park ~ Vacaville
Come relive the memories of your childhood and create new ones for your child! All rides at the Nut Tree Theme Park may be enjoyed by children and adults. 

Six Flags Marine World ~ Vallejo
Looney Tunes Seaport is the focal point for younger children with small rides, a musical revue, and character visits. The waterski shows are a fun and unusual theme park experience. Buy Online And Save

Great America ~ Santa Clara
KidZville is the focal point for younger children with small rides, a large climbing/sliding structure, cute shows and character visits. When your kids start getting tired take a break from the rides and see one of the fun shows.

Fairyland ~ Oakland
The exhibits and rides are charming and geared towards younger children. The puppet shows are high quality. And the price is right... you can take your entire family to Fairyland for less the price of a single ticket to one of the major amusement parks. If you still have some energy left, take a stroll around the lake before you leave.

Happy Hollow ~ San Jose
The rides are limited and geared towards younger children. Stay for the puppet show and play in the crooked house. Although the zoo is small and doesn't have many of the animals one typically associates with zoos (no elephants, zebras, or tigers), there are enough cute, furry animals to entertain most children. Check out the nearby Historical Park, especially the old fashioned icecream and candy store.

Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk ~ Santa Cruz
A fun atmosphere with enough riders to entertain most ages for a few hours. Plus carnival games, an extensive video arcade and indoor miniature golf course. Since the boardwalk is right on the beach, you may want to bring swimsuits and beach stuff and spend some time on the sand. The wharf is within walking distance of the Boardwalk and you can see, hear, and smell the sea lions begging under the pier. Plus there's a neat candy and icecream store towards the end.

Check traffic and weather before you go. Be prepared for both blazing heat and chilly winds (often in the same day). Layered clothing works best! Bring lots of quarters for the parking meters or be prepared to pay a high price to park in the official parking lot.

Gilroy Gardens ~ Gilroy
The highlights are "circus trees", beautiful gardens, and fun rides for young children. Be sure to tell your older children there are no super sonic roller coasters here, so they won't be disappointed. Tasty and relatively healthy food choices. Gilroy can be HOT in the summer, so be prepared, but as with most places in the Bay Area bring a sweatshirt, if you plan to stay past dark.

Nut Tree Family Park ~ Vacaville
A train, mini-coaster, carousel and other rides for young children. Enjoy icecream or lunch at nearby Fenton's Creamery.

Pixieland Amusement Park ~ Concord
Fun for young children with a merry-go-round, train, ferris wheel, mini cars, and other rides.

Small World Park ~ Pittsburg
Harbor and Leland Road. Party castle, carousel, playgrounds and picnic areas.

San Francisco Zoo - San Francisco
A fun children's zoo, plus a carousel, safari tram, and steam train.

Oakland Zoo ~ Oakland
Usually uncrowded and just the right size. Lots of space for the animals, but easy to walk around. Relatively inexpensive admission fee. Rides are an additional fee, but reasonable.

Water Slides
Water Slide parks are great fun, but pick the warmest, least windy day possible to avoid spending the day shivering in line. Although water slide parks have "beach" and "river" play areas that are fine for younger children, the real fun begins when your child is a competent swimmer and not afraid of getting dunked under water. Tickets for the larger water slide parks can be pricey, so look for discount coupons or special promotions.

Manteca Waterslides - Manteca
Raging Waters - San Jose
Rapids Water Slides in Shadow Cliffs Park - Pleasanton
Prewett Family Waterpark - Antioch
Waterworld - Concord
Golf Land - San Jose

Southern California Amusement Parks
It's a surprisingly easy trip to many Southern California theme parks and with inexpensive airfares and package deals a trip down south can be pretty reasonable.

Disneyland - Anaheim
Disney does such a good job with their parks (1st class rides and shows, clean facilities, and friendly, well-trained staff) that I find it a truly magical experience. Package deals and an abundance of reasonably priced hotels within walking distance make it a good value. A great time to go is between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The park is decorated for the holidays, there are special holiday shows, and the crowds are minimal.

Legoland - Carlsbad
A refreshing break from the sensory-overload rides and long lines at many theme parks. This park is designed for younger children (4-10 years old) and the rides are just their level (very few height restrictions). Although this park can easily be done in one day, the two day pass costs just slightly more and allows the time for your children to spend time at the many hands-on activities. Stay at a hotel near the beach for an added treat. Add-on a visit to the San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World or Children's Museum.