🎢 Orange County Theme Park Guide • Best Theme Parks in Orange County
Complete Guide to the Best Theme Parks in Orange County
Sunshine, ocean breezes, coasters, characters, and coastal charm — Orange County is Southern California’s ultimate playground. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a locals-only weekend, or a summer escape, OC has world-class theme parks, water parks, and immersive attractions for every age.
Here’s your Guide to every major theme park in Orange County, organized by category for effortless trip planning.
⭐ Orange County’s Iconic Theme Parks
Anaheim • Buena Park
🎢 Disneyland Park — Anaheim
📍 1313 Disneyland Dr • Admission ticket required
The original Walt Disney masterpiece. Classic dark rides, fireworks, parades, and immersive lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Fantasyland.
🎡 Disney California Adventure Park — Anaheim
📍 1313 Disneyland Dr • Admission ticket required
Thrill rides, Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, and world-class festivals like Lunar New Year and Disney’s Food & Wine Festival.
🎢 Knott’s Berry Farm — Buena Park
📍 8039 Beach Blvd • Admission ticket required
Historic OC fun with big coasters, family rides, shows, and Ghost Town — plus beloved seasonal events like Knott’s Spooky Farm and Merry Farm.🎢 Book a stay at Knott's Berry Farm Hotel
🌊 Water Parks & Resort Waterparks
Buena Park • Irvine • Garden Grove
💦 Knott’s Soak City Water Park — Buena Park
📍 8200 Beach Blvd • Seasonal • Admission ticket required 🎢 Book a stay at Knott's Berry Farm Hotel Historic Orange County fun with coasters, family rides, Ghost Town, live entertainment, and signature seasonal events.
💦 Wild Rivers Water Park — Irvine
📍 Great Park Blvd • Seasonal • Admission ticket required
OC’s legendary water park reborn: action slides, family tubes, kids’ splash zones, private cabanas, and summer-night events.
🏨 Great Wolf Lodge Water Park — Garden Grove
📍 12681 Harbor Blvd • For hotel guests
Massive indoor water park with slides, splash pads, wave pool, and kids' activities — a weatherproof family favorite near Disneyland. 🏨Book your stay at Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
🎠 Small Theme Parks & Family Amusement Parks
Stanton • Anaheim • Orange • Irvine
🎠 Adventure City — Stanton
📍 1238 S Beach Blvd • Admission ticket required
Small-scale theme park with coasters, family rides, petting zoo, and shows — perfect for younger kids.
💧 Adventure Lagoon — Anaheim
📍 3255 E Miraloma Ave • Tickets required
Aqua park with floating obstacle course, paddleboards, kayaks, and summer fun on the water.
🚂 Irvine Park Railroad & OC Zoo — Orange
📍 1 Irvine Park Rd • Low-cost admission
Charming train rides, pony rides, the OC Zoo, fishing, paddle boats, and shaded family picnic areas.
🎮 Boomers! Irvine
📍 3405 Michelson Dr • Tickets vary
Mini-golf, bumper boats, arcade, go-karts, batting cages — casual fun for families and groups.
🏰 Camelot Golf Land — Anaheim
📍 3200 E Carpenter Ave • Tickets vary
Mini-golf, arcade, laser tag, water slides, and seasonal attractions.
🧪 Educational & Experiential Attractions
Santa Ana • Irvine • Dana Point
🧪 Discovery Cube Orange County — Santa Ana
📍 2500 N Main St • Admission ticket required
Interactive science museum with rockets, eco-exhibits, STEM labs, climbing structures & special events.
🏛 Pretend City Children’s Museum — Irvine
📍 29 Hubble • Admission ticket required
A mini “city” for little ones to explore — from grocery markets to fire stations — all hands-on and imagination-driven.
🌊 Ocean Institute — Dana Point
📍 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr • Admission ticket required
Marine science center with tide pools, tall ship sails, ocean discovery labs & coastal ecology experiences.
🎡 Coastal Classics & Vintage OC Attractions
Newport Beach • Irvine
🎡 Balboa Fun Zone — Newport Beach
📍 600 E Bay Ave • Free entry, rides ticketed
A nostalgic waterfront boardwalk with ferris wheel, arcades, harbor views, and access to the Balboa Island Ferry.
🎠 Great Park Carousel — Irvine
📍 Great Park Blvd • Low-cost rides
A beautifully designed carousel located inside Irvine’s Great Park, perfect for family days at the sports complex or farmers market.
🌊 Your Orange County Experience Awaits
🎢 Discover More Orange County Adventures
Explore experiences beyond the park — plus other OC Adventures and Orange County Events. Check out Destination Guides for Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Santa Ana, San Juan Capistrano, and San Clemente ! Learn more about Coastal Adventures !!
🏰Stay Close: Dreaming of castle views and fireworks? Discover our Best Hotels Near Disneyland — where the magic never ends. Explore Best Hotels in Anaheim | Luxury, Boutique & Convention Stays