Tips for Visiting Southern California Amusement Parks

Los Angeles County is home to Universal Studios Hollywood. Located not far from both the 101 and 134 freeways, the home to major movies and television shows for decades is open year-round and offers entertainment for all ages. Rollercoaster-type adventure rides, motion rides, a walk through a few scenes of the Walking Dead, photo opportunities with major characters like Lucy Ricardo, Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, Marilyn Monroe, Hello Kitty, and now, Dreamworks Trolls, the park has it all! Add in the newly renovated Jurassic World: The Ride and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and there’s something for everyone. Plan on needing the whole day to really see it all, and if you want to skip the lines, express passes are available for purchase. (Check online before you go, as there can be discounts for tickets purchased in advance!)

Knott’s Berry Farm is located in Orange County, less an hour from Los Angeles, right off the 91 freeway. It’s an old west-themed amusement park and home to Camp Snoopy and all of the Peanuts characters. Coasters for all levels and sizes, shows and entertainment, a ghost town to explore and the infamous boysenberry make this park a favorite for families who want an affordable amusement park experience. You can easily do the park within one day, but you may want a little longer if you’re going to enjoy a lot of the boysenberry food or see all the shows. Knott’s is also home to Soak City, a summertime water park with numerous waterslides and the lazy river. There are a lot of lounge chairs and tables available, but when it’s crowded, shaded spots go fast, so plan ahead. Also, read their website prior to your visit to ensure you’re able to bring in everything that you pack. It can be a trek back to your vehicle if you get to the gate and find you need to return something to your rental car.

Also in Orange County is the most popular park, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Located directly across from each other, next to Downtown Disney, the parks are open year-round and can be crowded, so plan your visit in advance if you’re going to need hotel reservations. There are many accommodations within walking distance, and if you stay a little further out, most hotels will offer shuttles. (Parking at the resort itself is $25 and up, so it can also be more affordable to stay parked at your hotel and shuttle or walk in.) The Disney Resort is definitely not something you can do in one day, but how long you want to stay of course depends on how long you can handle the crowds and how much of a diehard Disney fan you are. Entertainment is available and ever-changing, ride queues can depend on the time of year (and when a certain Disney or Marvel movie may have opened) and if there’s one of the many delicious and amazing food festivals.  With the new Star War’s Galaxy’s Edge open in Disneyland, alcohol is available in both parks now, and there are places in both parks to sit and relax if you need a break.

Fox Rent A Car has car rental locations available at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), Orange County Airport, and  San Diego Airport (as well as Burbank and Ontario) so we make getting your cheap rental car convenient. LAX is roughly 3.5 hours away from San Diego, so you can rent from one, drive to the other and head back without needing to pay any drop-fees. 

All the amusement parks have ample parking, so if your party is large, renting an SUV may be a good bet. It will provide space for your luggage and access to your gear while you’re on the road. Almost any trip in and around the Los Angeles area means some sitting on the freeway, so buying a disposable cooler for your rental car can be a good option. (They are available at major stores and convenience stores for just a few dollars, and it will be money well-spent.)

Wherever you drive in Southern California, Fox would love to provide you with your rental car. We wish you safe travels and hope you enjoy visiting our many amusement parks!