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5 Best Amusement Parks in Los Angeles (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Vespera Quill
By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Los Angeles sits within driving distance of some of the most-reviewed amusement parks anywhere, and the numbers here make that plain: these parks have logged nearly 268,000 Google reviews between them, led by Disneyland's more than 128,000 on its own. With that much data behind every pick, the real decision is which kind of day you want, thrill coasters, a classic theme park, or a free afternoon on the pier.

Short answer: Disneyland Park leads with 4.6 stars across more than 128,000 reviews, the most of any amusement park near Los Angeles. Adventure City holds the highest rating on this list at 4.7, built specifically for younger kids, while Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is free to enter with rides priced separately. Adventure City publishes general admission from $32.95, while Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain all use dynamic date-based pricing, so check their official sites for your visit date.
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How LA's Top Amusement Parks Compare

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Disneyland Park 4.6 ★ 128,035 Classic theme-park experience View ›
2 Knott's Berry Farm 4.6 ★ 68,540 Roller coasters with old-west charm View ›
3 Six Flags Magic Mountain 4.5 ★ 51,985 Thrill coasters View ›
4 Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier 4.6 ★ 15,277 Free entry / oceanfront setting View ›
5 Adventure City 4.7 ★ 4,051 Young kids View ›
5 Best Amusement Parks in Los Angeles (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Disneyland Park logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Disneyland Park

4.6128,035 Google reviews

Disneyland Park is the original Disney theme park, located in Anaheim and organized into distinct themed lands connected by immersive storytelling, from Main Street to Cars Land and Pixar Pier. It runs long hours daily, often 8am to midnight, and pairs classic rides like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean with regular parades and a nightly fireworks show over the castle.

What people praise

  • Most-reviewed park on this list by a wide margin, with over 128,000 ratings
  • Cast members repeatedly praised as helpful and friendly even during busy days
  • Nightly fireworks show specifically called out as an emotional highlight
  • Wait times move quickly according to recent reviewers, even on packed days

Worth knowing

  • Expect real crowds, especially on weekends and in July
  • Cost adds up quickly across tickets, food and parking
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume128,035 · 94th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown79% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed and most consistently praised park here, and the safe default if you want the full classic theme-park day.

Website+1714-781-4636 Directions

Anaheim, CA 92802

Knott's Berry Farm logo
#2↩ Responds to reviews

Knott's Berry Farm

4.668,540 Google reviews

Knott's Berry Farm is a Buena Park theme park built around its GhostRider wooden coaster and a mix of classic and modern rides, alongside seasonal events like Knott's Scary Farm and the Boysenberry Festival. The park leans into an old-west, boysenberry-farm heritage that reviewers say still comes through despite its scale.

What people praise

  • GhostRider coaster called out repeatedly as the best ride in the park
  • Clean grounds and consistently strong food, with the bakery specifically recommended
  • Staff praised for loading rides quickly and safely
  • Seasonal events keep the park feeling fresh across the year

Worth knowing

  • A couple of dining spots got weaker reviews than the rest of the park
  • Hours can run shorter than expected on some days, cutting evening visits short
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume68,540 · 81th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone
Rating breakdown74% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong second theme-park option, especially for coaster fans, with a distinct old-west identity that sets it apart from the bigger Anaheim parks.

Website+1714-220-5200 Directions

8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Six Flags Magic Mountain logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days

Six Flags Magic Mountain

4.551,985 Google reviews

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is built around an extensive roller coaster lineup, including X2, Twisted Colossus and Tatsu, alongside a water park section. Reviewers consistently describe it as the go-to for serious coaster enthusiasts in the LA area, with detailed, specific praise for individual rides rather than the park as a whole.

What people praise

  • Coaster lineup reviewers call S-tier, with genuinely unique rides
  • Ride operators praised for being fast and friendly
  • Landscaping and detail reviewers say make the park feel immersive
  • Wide range of coaster intensity, so there's something for both first-timers and enthusiasts

Worth knowing

  • The park's mobile app has drawn specific complaints about inaccurate wait times and closures
  • Rides occasionally go down mid-wait according to recent reviews
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume51,985 · 69th
Confidencevery high
Recency2 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown71% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The clear pick for thrill-seekers and coaster enthusiasts specifically, though check ride status in person rather than relying fully on the app.

Website+1661-255-4100 Directions

26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

4.615,277 Google reviews

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is a compact, oceanfront amusement park with 12 rides, including a solar-powered Ferris wheel, and no admission charge to enter the park itself. Reviewers describe it as a quick, easy stop with strong ocean views, particularly from the Ferris wheel, and a good fit for a shorter visit rather than a full day out.

What people praise

  • No cost to enter the park, with rides priced individually or as a package
  • Ferris wheel views over the Pacific specifically praised as a highlight
  • Works well for a shorter, half-day visit
  • Central, walkable pier setting with restaurants nearby

Worth knowing

  • Gets crowded on weekends and holidays, per multiple reviewers
  • Sand terrain nearby can be difficult for anyone with mobility limitations
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume15,277 · 56th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown71% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The easiest, most flexible option here, especially if you want an amusement-park stop without committing to a full-day ticket.

Website+1310-260-8744 Directions

380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Adventure City logo
#5🕑 Open 3 days/wk

Adventure City

4.74,051 Google reviews

Adventure City is a small Anaheim theme park built specifically for younger children, with around 17 rides sized for kids, a petting zoo, and an arcade, celebrating 30 years in operation. Reviewers consistently describe it as sized right for toddlers and preschoolers, with far shorter waits than the bigger parks nearby.

What people praise

  • Highest rating on this list at 4.7
  • Wait times reviewers describe as close to none, even on weekends
  • Petting zoo and train play area add variety beyond just rides
  • Free parking, which stands out compared to the larger parks nearby

Worth knowing

  • Small footprint means most visitors finish everything in around two hours
  • Less suited to older kids or teens looking for bigger thrills
Reputation scorecardrank in Los Angeles
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume4,051 · 44th
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown77% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The best fit specifically for families with kids under about 8, where short lines and kid-sized rides matter more than scale.

Website+1714-236-9300 Directions

1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92804

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is the park’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many visitors have rated them, ranked against other Los Angeles-area amusement parks. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.6 from over a hundred thousand reviews carries more weight than the same rating from a few thousand. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does it cost to visit an amusement park near Los Angeles? (2026)

Ticket pricing varies enormously by park size and scope, from a free-entry pier park to major theme-park resorts. Here’s what’s actually published or reported.

JobTypical price
Pacific Park entryFree (rides priced separately)
Adventure City general admission$32.95

Ranges compiled August 2026 from pricing published directly on the parks’ own websites where available. Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain all use dynamic, date-based ticket pricing rather than a single published rate, so check each park’s official site for the current price on your visit date.

Serving greater Los Angeles

These parks span the wider LA area, from Anaheim and Buena Park in Orange County to Valencia in the north and Santa Monica on the coast, so expect a real drive to some of them depending on where you’re staying. Searching for an amusement park near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number, address and directions to the closest option.

What to check before you visit an amusement park

  • Does the park use dynamic pricing, so is it cheaper on certain days?
  • Is parking included, or does it cost extra?
  • Are ride reservations or a virtual queue system required?
  • What are the height or age restrictions on the rides you want?
  • Is a dining plan or food package worth it for your group size?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these amusement parks?

We started from amusement and theme parks near Los Angeles with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which park is best for young children?

Adventure City is built specifically for kids under about 8, with short waits and rides sized for younger children, plus a petting zoo.

Which park has the best roller coasters?

Six Flags Magic Mountain is the clear pick for serious coaster fans, with reviewers repeatedly praising its lineup as some of the best and most varied in the region.

The bottom line

Disneyland is the safe default for a full classic theme-park day, while Adventure City is the better call with younger kids and Six Flags Magic Mountain wins for coaster enthusiasts. Whichever you pick, check the park’s own site for the current ticket price before you go.

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