Los Angeles Tours

1. Disneyland and California Adventure – $4/gas (30 miles)

From the charm of Main Street, U.S.A to the whimsy of Mickey’s Toontown, explore eight fantastic “lands” of nostalgia, color and delight. Let your imagination run free in a magic kingdom where life is a fairy tale and dreams really do come true. Disney’s California Adventure Park is adjacent to Disneyland® Park. Disney’s California Adventure® Park offers exciting attractions, live shows, shopping and dining experiences in four distinctly themed lands: Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Golden State, Paradise Pier and “a bug’s land”.

* Hours: Disneyland Park. 9:00 am – 11:00 pm. Disney’s California Adventure Park. 10:00 am – 9:00 pm.

* Reservations: Not required

* 2008 Cost: $69 Single Day Theme Park Ticket – Ages 10 and Up, $59 Single Day Theme Park Ticket – Ages 3-9

* Parking: $12

* Location: On Interstate 5, south from LA. Exit Disneyland Drive and turn left (South). Then Proceed across Ball Road. Use the left three lanes to access the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure.

* How Long: Allow about a day to see everything in one park, longer when the park is busy

* Best Time to Visit is January through March and September through October. These months are lower in park attendance.

* More Info at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/landing?name=DisneylandParkLandingPage

2.  Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – $4/gas (30 miles)

    Take on the world’s most thrilling collection of extreme coasters including TATSU, GOLIATH, and the all-new X2, the next generation of the first-of-its-kind 4^th dimensional coaster, opened in summer of 2008. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – right next door, enjoy a tropical paradise with 23 exciting slides and dozens of splashy adventures for water-loving thrill seekers of all ages. Only Six Flags Hurricane Harbor has it all: Tornado, the Black Snake Summit water slide complex, and Lizard Lagoon, the ultimate summer chill-out zone.  (Separate admission ticket is required for Hurricane Harbor)  

* Hours: Open every day in summer, closed weekdays during school year (except during holidays)

* Reservations: Not required

* 2008 Cost: $ 69.99 Season Pass, $125.00 Xtreme Pass, Hurricane Harbor General Admission – $29.99

* Parking: $15

* Location: North of Los Angeles on Interstate 5, at the Magic Mountain Parkway exit

* How Long: Allow about a day to ride everything, longer when the park is busy

* Best Time to Visit: Busiest on school holidays and in summer (also hottest), less busy on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday if open. Weather may close some rides, so don’t go on a day when it’s raining or windy. If you go in summer, when the park is open very late, consider arriving in mid-afternoon.

* More Info at http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/info/parkInfo.aspx

3. Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City – $3/gas (22 miles)

Knott’s was once an actual berry farm is now 160 acres of world class rides, unique family shows and one of kind attractions. At America’s favorite theme park, experience GhostRider the world’s best wooden roller coaster, Supreme Scream, 30-stories up, 3 seconds down and the high-octane thrill of Xcelerator, rated the world’s best launch coaster, sending riders 0-80 in 2.3 seconds. For a different type of thrill, stroll on over to Camp Snoopy, home to the beloved PEANUTS gang. Located next to Knott’s Berry Farm, Soak City is a well-designed and spotless water park located across Beach Boulevard from Knott’s Berry Farm. For the adventure seekers, Malibu Run, and its four slides, Dropoff, Wave Chaser, Heavy Swell, and Rincon, as well as Old Man Falls, a 62-foot (19 m) high, triplet of speed slides. There is also the Laguna Storm Watch Tower, which offers three completely enclosed slides, and don’t forget Banzai Falls, a six-lane waterslide race down bumps.

* Hours: Theme park is open 364 days a year, 10 am – 10 pm (some dates closed earlier). Soak City open May – September

* Reservations: Not required

* 2008 Cost: Single Day Ticket Adult – $51.99, Children ages 3-11 – $22.99. Soak City Full-Day Prices Adult $29.99, Children ages 3-11, $19.99

* Parking: $9

* Location: From I-5 North, merge onto CA-91 West and take the 113c exit. Follow CA-39/Beach Blvd exit towards Buena Park. Take a left on Beach Blvd/CA-39s. Follow this to your destination at 8039 Beach Blvd.

* How Long: Allow about a day to ride or swim everything, longer when the park is busy

* Best Time to Visit: Busiest on weekends, less busy on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday.

* More Info at http://www.knotts.com/park/guest/index.shtml

4. Universal Studios Hollywood Park – $2/gas (15 miles)

With thrilling park rides and shows, a real working movie studio and L.A’s best shops, restaurants and all-new cinemas at CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. The first-ever mega-attraction based on the blockbuster TV series, The Simpsons. Featuring the show’s classic humor and many of its instantly recognizable characters – all voiced by the original actors. Experience hair-raising thrills and heart-pounding surprises on rides like the Revenge of the Mummy thrill coaster and the Jurassic Park 80-foot raft plunge. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows such as ‘Desperate Housewives’ and The War of the Worlds. Explore Hollywood’s famous backlot and see sets, special effects and insider secrets on the Studio Tour. Join Shrek and Donkey on an ogre-the-top adventure in Shrek 4-D.

* Hours: Open daily 9 am – 8 p.m., except Thanksgiving and December 25

* Reservations: Not required, but buy tickets in advance to save time in line

* 2008 Cost: Single Day Ticket Adult – $67, Children ages 3-11 – $57.

* Parking: $12

* Location: North of Hollywood off US 101

* How Long: Allow about a day to enjoy all attractions

* Best Time to Visit: Busiest in summer, spring and fall are best, so if it is winter, even if it’s a rainy, many attractions are inside

* More Info at http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

5. Raging Waters Park in San Dimas  - $4/gas (30 miles)

  Grab the family, your spouse, and best friend- whatever, just get up and go! From the lazy river ride to the speed slides, this park is sure to please everyone looking for a soaking good time. Experience the thrills of riding the perfect wave. Feel the power of the ocean as 36,000 gallons of water flow under you a minute. Slice back and forth across the water on a surf board or a body board. Catch a wave or just watch the action, the Flowrider is an innovation in extreme and it demands an audience.

* Hours: Open daily May through September, 10 am – 7 p.m.

* Reservations: Not required

* 2008 Cost: Single Day Ticket Adult – $35.99, Children ages 3-11 – $19.99.

* Parking: $10

* Location: Take the 10 Freeway East to the 57 North. Exit Raging Waters Drive. Turn Left and follow the signs

How Long: Allow about a day to enjoy all water attractions

* Best Time to Visit: Busiest on weekends, less busy on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday

* More Info at http://www.ragingwaters.com

So if you have a free weekend at your disposal and a car without certain plans on what to visit in Los Angeles just simply fill your tank and go visit exciting LA destinations.

Galina Tulchinsky is a Los Angeles area expert tour guide specializing in private, group and shopping tours from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. For more information about Los Angeles area tours call at 1-800-761-1775 or to see more details about our tours visit http://www.LATravelTours.com, http://www.AmericanRivieraTours.com