Have a blast with your family at some of SoCal's favorite theme parks! Find out what's new for summer 2014 below.
Aquatica
Chula Vista
800-257-4268
Ready for a splashing good time? Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark debuts a new high-speed racing water slide: Taumata Racer. Adventure-seekers zoom down a 375-ft. slide, around a 180-degree swooping turn and through tunnels before racing across a finish line. The newest of seven slide rides at Aquatica, Taumata River is sure to get your heart pumping. If you prefer a slower, more relaxed pace (or have small children), grab a tube and float along the lazy river, Loggerhead Lane. Keep your eyes open for Caribbean flamingos on display throughout the river ride. Toddlers can splash and play safely in the children’s free-swim area, Kata’s Kookaburra Cove, and experience kid-size slides at Slippity Dippity.
Belmont Park
Mission Beach
858-488-1549
Belmont Park, a San Diego icon, has made several updates to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Mission Beach. Already open is the new two-seater NASCAR-style ride, Speedway. Cars zip around a flashy oval track with whip-like action for fun-loving kids and their parents. The Belmont Park arcade is back and better than ever! The recently expanded arcade features the latest games and classic favorites like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Frogger. Laser Tag now has three levels of Tron-themed adventure and non-stop action! Look for the Adrenaline Zone coming to Belmont Park this summer, too. Be sure to check out free kids crafts and activities at the Summer Kids Series every Wednesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 pm.
Legoland
Carlsbad
760-918-5346
Legoland added a second water park just in time for summer fun. The central feature of the new Legends of Chima Water Park is the Lion Temple Wave Pool designed for families with young kids. Towering 40-ft. above the wave pool is Mt. Cavora, the floating mountain, which releases 400 gallons of water every minute for kids of all ages to splash and enjoy. Cragger’s Swamp is an interactive water play area with three slides and interactive water features, including blast water cannons and jets. You can even slide through the head of a massive crocodile, and parents of the youngest adventurers appreciate the 12” deep water. What would a Legoland adventure be without building a Lego creation? Eglor’s Build-A-Boat allows children to use their creativity by building a boat to race against friends. To experience the land of Chima, purchase admission to Legoland and the water park. You can slide and splash at both the original water park and the new Legends of Chima Water Park in the same day.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park
714-220-5200
This summer Camp Snoopy celebrates 30 years at Knott’s Berry Farm with three all-new attractions, remodeled dining locations and all-new interactive experiences for families, especially those with younger children. The Linus Launcher propels adventurers 10 ft. in the air to enjoy a view of Camp Snoopy. At Charlie Brown's Kite Flyer, a swing-type ride, campers soar above the land waiting for the kite-eating tree to show Charlie Brown hung upside down, tangled in kite string. Pig Pen's Mud Buggies take families for an adventurous ride around the High Sierras in all-terrain vehicles that spin, bounce and bump.
The legendary Calico Mine Ride, originally opened in 1960, carries riders aboard ore cars through dimly lit tunnels of a working gold mine. Exciting new effects were added to this class ride for its summer reopening. Look for over 50 new state-of-the-art animatronic figures, all-new audio and special effects that will capture the imagination.
San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
619-231-1515
The World-Famous San Diego Zoo brings back a summertime favorite with Nighttime Zoo from June 28 to September 1. Koalafornia, this year’s theme, brings the Australian Outback to the California shore. Experience Australia through new shows Australiana II, Return to the Outback where Aussie lore comes to life through acrobatic and aerial acts and Roo’s Crew performing kangaroo-style skills during a trampoline act. Dr. Zoolittle is back exploring Australia’s fascinating and bizarre inhabitants with audiences. The Front Street Stage welcomes guests with animal encounters by day and a variety of performances by night. Join “The Walkabout” grand finale in the evening, featuring Nighttime Zoo performers in a procession festival along Front Street.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido
760-747-8702
If your summer bucket list includes visiting an exotic location and seeing animals in their natural habitat, then be sure to visit The San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Tiger Trail, the new 5.2-acre Sumatran tiger habitat, features three separate yards where tigers can climb rocks, swim in ponds, use deadwood trees as scratching posts, and take catnaps in the grass. But tigers aren’t the only ones having fun here. Use your cat-like reflexes to maneuver across The Log Walk on the way to a large viewing window with an up-close view of these big cats. There’s also a Tiger Cam so you can watch tiger antics all summer long. The Summer Safari Asian Celebration features furry, feathered or scaly animal encounters and professional acrobats performing amazing feats throughout the day.
SeaWorld
Mission Bay
800-257-4268
Explorer Reef welcomes guests to SeaWorld through an immense wave sculpture nearly 30 feet tall and 100 feet long. Connect immediately with the sea through four touch pools featuring shark pups, rays and more. New shows celebrate summer and SeaWorld’s 50th year. That’s right, the first SeaWorld park opened March 1964 right here in San Diego! Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night is this year’s summer nighttime Shamu show, a must-see for San Diego visitors and locals. The 18-month Sea of Surprises 50th Celebration includes a Surprise Squad that roams the park giving away prizes and special gifts. Entertainment throughout the day features the high-energy, traveling Sea Street Band, a whimsical Bubble Blowout vehicle, and the Splash Dance landscaping crew that loses control of their hoses for a soaking good time. Fun-seekers of all ages can dance the night away Thursdays through Sundays at SeaWorld’s Club Atlantis. Hang around for SeaWorld’s new fireworks display, Celebrate the Wonder.
Updated: June 2014
