Attractions

Aquarium of the Pacific

One of the largest aquariums in the U.S.; highlights include Shark Lagoon, Lorikeet Forest and ethereal sea jellies. Daily 9 am-6 pm. $12.95-$24.95, under 3 free. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100 Map west of C1 aquariumofpacific.org

Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari

Dolphin and whale-watching excursions. Departures daily. $35-$55, under 3 free. 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.488.2828 Map J16

Crystal cathedral

The renowned church boasts three architectural treasures: Philip Johnson’s spectacular glass cathedral, Richard Neutra’s Tower of Hope and Richard Meier’s International Center for Positive Thinking. Tours M–Sa 9 am–3:30 pm. Free. 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, 714.971.4000 Map J10

Dana Wharf Sportfishing

Year-round fishing and whale-watching trips from south Orange County. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, 949.496.5794 Map K16 danawharf.com

Discovery Science Center

120 hands-on exhibits, live shows, laser theater. Boeing Rocket Lab offers exhibits inside the tilting cube by Interstate 5. Through April 15 Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. Through May 6 Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore. M-Sa 10 am-5 pm, Su 11 am-5 pm. $12.95-$17.95, under 3 free. 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823 Map G13 discoverycube.org

Disneyland

Mouse’s first theme park. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and Mickey’s Soundsational Parade are recent additions. Call for hours. Admission (includes all rides and attractions): $74-$80, under 3 free. 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565 Map I10 disneyland.disney.go.com

Disney’s California Adventure

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is new. Classics include spectacular nighttime water show World of Color; Soarin’ Over California; California Screamin’; Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Call for hours. Admission (includes all rides and attractions): $74-$80. 1313 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565 Map I10

Downtown Disney

Twenty-acre pedestrian promenade adjacent to Disney parks offers dining, shopping, cinema and nightlife, including House of Blues and ESPN Zone. Non-gated, free admission. 1510-1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565 Map I10

FLIGHTDECK air combat center

Civilians turn into dogfighting machines using F-16 fighter jet cockpit simulators. No experience necessary. Starts at $69 for 60-minute session. Tu-Su 11:30 am-10 pm. 1650 S. Sinclair, Anaheim, 714.937.1511 Map I11 flightdeck1.com

FULLERTON ARBORETUM

County’s largest botanical garden, with 26 lush acres and more than 4,000 unusual plant species set amid ponds and streams. 8 am-4:30 pm. Free; $3 suggested donation. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, 657.278.3407 Map A

Huntington Beach Downtown

More than 300 unique and exciting businesses line the streets of downtown Huntington Beach, offering events including Surf City Nights, a street fair and certified farmers market held Tuesdays from 5 to 9 pm. Artwalk, held every third Wednesday from 6 to 9 pm, is an ever-growing event featuring art on display at 30 local businesses. Main St. at Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.536.8300 Map N8 hb-downtown.com

Knott’s Berry Farm

More than 165 rides and attractions. Premier collection of coasters includes Silver Bullet, GhostRider, Xcelerator and WindSeeker. Call for hours. $24.99-$46.99, under 3 free. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200 Map G8

K1 Speed

Indoor kart racing offers challenging track for speed enthusiasts. Arrangements for private parties or corporate events possible. $20. 17221 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.250.0242; 1000 N. Edward Ct., Anaheim, 714.632.6999. k1speed.com

MEDIEVAL TIMES

Dinner theater show featuring jousting knights, Lipizzaner stallions, swordsmanship and falconry, four-course feast. Medieval Torture Museum. $35.95-$57.95. 7662 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 866.543.9637 Map G8

Ocean Institute

Live presentations aboard tall ship Pilgrim, docked in Dana Point Harbor; tide-pool sessions; marine-mammal exploration cruises; blue-whale safaris. Behind the Scenes Tour Th-F 3:30 pm. Open to public Sa-Su 10 am-3 pm. $2-$6.50, under 3 free. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274 Map J16

ORANGE COUNTY GREAT PARK

In-progress park is bigger than New York’s Central Park. Free tethered-balloon ride. Farmers market, Su 10 am-2 pm. Interstate 5, Sand Canyon Avenue and Irvine Boulevard. Great Park Balloon and Preview Park, Perimeter Road, Irvine, 866.829.3829 Map D5

Orange County Zoo

New lion cubs! Charming, rustic zoo features plants and animals from Southwestern U.S. Audio tours are new. M-F 10 am-3:30 pm, Sa-Su until 4:30 pm. $2, under 2 free. Parking $3-$5. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.973.6847 Map C5

Pirate’s dinner adventure

Swashbuckling swordplay, aerial artistry, cannon blasts, pyrotechnics, comedy, romance aboard Spanish galleon replica in lagoon. Call for hours. $37.95-$56.95, under 3 free. 7600 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.690.1497 Map G8 piratesdinneradventure.com

PRETEND CITY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Interconnected, interactive miniature city for children from infant to 10. Tu-Su 10 am-5 pm; M until 1 pm. $5.50-$11. 29 Hubble, Irvine, 949.428.3900 Map E6

Queen Mary Ship and Seaport

Historic ocean liner—bigger than the Titanic!—permanently berthed in Long Beach Harbor. Shops, dining, art deco lounge. The Russian Foxtrot Submarine is adjacent. Daily 10 am–6 pm. $12.95–$24.95, under 5 free. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, south end of 710 freeway, 877.342.0738 Map west of C1 queenmary.com

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace

Numerous provocative exhibits include the presidential helicopter, the presidential tapes and a permanent Watergate gallery. Garden tours on Saturdays. M-Sa 10 am-5 pm; Su 11 am-5 pm. $3.75-$9.95, under 7 free. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.993.5075 Map A4

safari park (Formerly the Wild Animal Park)

1,800-acre wildlife preserve with vast enclosures resembling African and Asian plains. $40; children 3-11 $30; kids 2 and under free; seniors 60+ $36. Cars $10-15. Open daily, 9 am-5 pm (holiday weekends till 6 pm). 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, 760.747.8702 Map east of F6 sdzsafaripark.org

San diego Zoo

World-famous zoo has some 4,000 rare and endangered animals in state-of-the-art environments. $40; kids 3-11 $30; kids 2 and under free; seniors 60+ $36. Free parking. Open daily, 9 am-5 pm. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515 Map east of F6 sandiegozoo.org

Santa Ana Zoo

Modest, idyllic zoo. Tierra de las Pampas exhibit features giant anteaters and greater rheas. M-F 10 am-5 pm. $5-$8, under 3 free. 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, 714.835.7484 Map H14

SeaWorld

Home of Shamu. Marine-themed attractions include new Turtle Reef, thrill ride Journey to Atlantis and Blue Horizons show. Open daily. Call for hours, combo rates. $61.99-$69.99, under 3 free. 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, 800.25.SHAMU Map south of F6

Sherman Library & Gardens

Ten gardens showcase intimate botanical collection. Library research center. Daily 10:30 am-4 pm. Library open Tu-Th 9 am-4:30 pm. $1-$3, under 12 free. Mondays free. 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261 Map M16

Universal Studios Hollywood

World’s biggest motion picture/TV studio. Rides include Jurassic Park, Simpsons Ride, Special Effects Stage, King Kong 360 3-D. Tram studio tour includes War of the Worlds and Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane. VIP Experience is private guided tour through prop warehouse, working movie sets, soundstages. Call for hours. $69-$77, under 3 free. VIP Experience $259. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 800.UNIVERSAL Map northwest of A1 universalstudioshollywood.com

Vans Skatepark

Skateboard mecca has combi pool, open street course and mini-ramps; Vans store is adjacent. Daily 10 am-10 pm. $12/session (2 hrs.) weekdays; $15/session weekends. The Outlets at Orange, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, 714.769.3800 Map J11