Location: Fresno, California Years Active: 1929 – Active Fresno Chaffee Zoo ain’t no Disneyland for animals. It’s a raw, fascinating slice of the natural world, right in the middle of California. Sure, there are adorable moments – baby animals always steal the show. But there’s also the smell of the elephant barn on a hot…
Location: Concord, California Years Active: 1995 – Active Ditch the kiddie pool – Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord is where the real water fun happens. This place ain’t your grandma’s backyard sprinkler – think massive slides, a lazy river, and a whole tropical vibe that’ll make you forget you’re in California. Hit up the biggest…
Location: Skyforest, California Years Active: 1955 – Active SkyPark at Santa’s Village is a Christmas explosion in the middle of California’s mountains. This isn’t your grandma’s SkyPark at Santa’s Village offers a variety of rides and attractions, making it the perfect place for a family outing. While smaller than some of the larger US amusement…
Location: Los Angeles, California Years Active: 1995 – Active Six Flags Hurricane Harbor LA. It’s a classic, but is it worth the hype? This water park has been a SoCal staple since 1995, offering heart-racing slides and a welcome break from the heat. If you’re all about those adrenaline rushes, “Tornado” is a must-ride. But…
Location: Atascadero, California Years Active: 1955 – Active The Charles Paddock Zoo isn’t your standard zoological park. It’s small, tucked away in the California town of Atascadero. But it packs a punch – this zoo is all about endangered species. They’ve got tigers, lemurs, even adorable red pandas. It’s a little gem for animal lovers….
Location: Palm Desert, California Years Active: 1970 – Active The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens? It’s a different beast. We’re talking desert critters – the tough, the weird, the surprisingly adorable. It’s a sprawling place, so wear comfy shoes and be ready for some heat. But hey, that’s the desert, right? The animals here aren’t…
Location: Santa Monica, California Years Active: 1996 – Active Pacific Park ain’t Disneyland. It’s smaller, a bit grittier, but that’s the charm. This classic amusement park sits right on the Santa Monica Pier, waves crashing just feet below some of the rides. Locals love it, and you will too. The star attraction? That’s the Pacific…
Location: San Dimas, California Years Active: 1983 – Active Raging Waters San Dimas’s splashy escape! It’s been a SoCal favorite since 1983. A quick glance at the Raging Waters map reveals a sprawling water park with a tropical theme – think waterfalls and palms – plus a ton of slides and pools. Thrill-seekers, this is…
Location: Sacramento, California Years Active: 1978 – Active Funderland Amusement Park…it’s a Sacramento tradition. Old-school charm? They’ve got it. The Dragon Coaster still rattles your bones like it did back in the day. Expect classic carnival vibes, not Disneyland. But kids? They don’t care. They’re too busy squealing on the Flying Dragon Swing and chugging…
Location: San Francisco, California Years Active: 1929 – Active Okay, here’s the real deal on the San Francisco Zoo it’s old. Like, opened in 1929 old. That means some of the enclosures feel straight out of a different era, especially if you care about animal space. But hey, if nostalgia’s your thing, the zoo’s got…
