Attractions
Aquarium of the Pacific
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. $13.95-$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 Sept. 3 Wildlife Rescue. M-Sa 10 am-5 pm, Su 11 am-5 pm. $12.95-$14.95, under 3 free. 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823 Map G13 discoverycube.org
Disneyland
Mickey Mouse’s first theme park. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and Mickey’s
Soundsational Parade are recent additions. Matterhorn reopens June 15. 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 California Adventure
Cars Land, based on the Pixar films, opens June 15. Mad T Party, a nightly dance party, is also 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. Minimum age 11, height 4’ 11”. Starts at $59. Tu-Su 11:30 am-8:30 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. June, 8 am-4:30 pm; July 8 am-8 pm; Aug. 8 am-7:30 pm. Free; $3 suggested donation. 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, 657.278.3407 Map A
Jetlev Southwest
New water-propelled jet pack adventure in Newport Harbor. $159-$279. 2600 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 888.553.6471 Map N13 jetlevsouthwest.com
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
Knott’s Berry Farm
More than 165 rides and attractions. Premier collection of coasters includes Silver Bullet, GhostRider, Xcelerator and WindSeeker. Call for hours and prices; under 3 free. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200 Map G8
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. $4.50-$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. Tethered-balloon rides, $5-$10, under 6 free. 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 ocgp.org
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. $38.95-$57.95, 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. Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit is new. 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 nixonfoundation.org
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. Daily, 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 T-Th 9 am-4:30 pm. $1-$3, under 12 free. Free on Mondays. 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261 Map M16
ThrillIt Fun Center
New indoor family-fun center features Laser Tag, rock climbing walls, high ropes course and mechanical bull. Open M-Th 10 am-9 pm, F-Sa 10 am-11 pm, Su 11 am-9 pm. The Outlets at Orange, 20 City Blvd., West, Orange, 714.937.1600 Map J11 thrillit.com
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
