As summer slowly comes to a close and students get ready for school, it is not too late to have one last summer adventure before the school year begins. Take a group of friends and visit one of these local amusement parks and attractions!

Universal Studios Hollywood
Location: Universal City
Cost: Southern California Residents – $59; Front of the Line Pass –  $149 (until 8/20/10), $129 (8/21/10 to 9/06/10);VIP Experience – $239.
Website: www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Notable attractions: The newest attraction that cannot be missed is the King Kong 360 3-D show. Other mentionable attractions include the soaking wet Jurassic Park ride, the Simpsons Ride, and the well-known studio tour. Universal Studios also provides a variety of shows to see including Terminator 2: 3-D and Shrek 4-D. Maybe after your theme park experience you can take a visit to City Walk.

Six Flags Magic Mountain
Location: Valencia
Cost: Online purchase –  $34.99; General admission – $59.99;
Kids under 48” – $34.99;
Kids 2 and under –  Free
Website: www.sixflags.com
Notable attractions: If you’re needing a thrill to end your summer, this is the place to go. Known for its speed and complex tracks, these rollercoasters will get your heart racing. Some extreme rides include Tatsu, X2, and Déjà Vu. However, there is a section of the park devoted to kids in Bugs Bunny World and Thomas Town as well as family rides scattered all over the park.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Location: Valencia
Cost: Online purchase – $22.99; General admission – $29.99;
Kids under 48” – $19.99;
Kids 2 and under –  Free
Website: www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla.com
Notable attractions: With its more extreme water slides including Black Snake Summit (which according to its website has the tallest slides in California), Taboo Tower, and the Tornado Water funnel, you can slip and slide down while cooling off. For kids, Hurricane Harbor also has a water play section called Castaway Cove while teenagers and adults have Lizard Lagoon for more soaking fun.

LA Zoo
Location: Los Angeles
Cost: Adults (ages 13-up) – $14; Seniors (ages 62-up) – $11;
Children (ages 2-12) – $9;
Kids under 2 – Free
Website: www.lazoo.org
Notable attractions: A host of animals ranging from reptiles, birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals offer an extensive amount of creatures to view at this public facility. In addition to animal sightings, visitors can take a look at the zoo’s botanical gardens.

Disneyland
Location: Anaheim
Cost: One Day, One Park (ages 3 to 9) –  $68; (ages 10 and up) – $76
Website: www.disneyland.com
Notable attractions: Visit the classic theme park of California; relive the memories of the Disney classics such as Snow White, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and even Dumbo. Don’t forget the infamous Splash Mountain, The Matterhorn, and Space Mountain.

California Adventure
Location: Anaheim
Cost: One Day, One Park (ages 3 to 9) –  $68; (ages 10 and up) – $76
Website: www.disneyland.com
Notable attractions: A reason to visit Disneyland’s California Adventure is to see the newest attraction, the World of Color. Merging water, lights, fire, and video projection into one, this nighttime show will amaze everyone! Well-known rides include the free-falling Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, loop-d-loop California Screamin’ ride, and Grizzly River Run.

Knotts Berry Farm
Location: Buena Park
Cost: Ages 12-61 (Summer Special) –  $36.99; Ages 3-11 and 62 and Up (Summer Special) – $21.99;
Ages 12-61 (Regular) –  $44.99
Website: www.knotts.com
Notable attractions: Not only can you dine on tasty fried chicken and Pinks hotdogs at this theme park but you can take a ride on the Xcelerator, a ride that goes 82 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. You can visit the all wood-built ride Ghost Rider or free fall on Supreme Scream.

Raging Waters
Location: San Dimas
Cost: General admission (48” and over) –  $36.99; Online purchase- $33.90; Junior admission (Under 48”) –  $22.99;
Children 2 and under – Free.
Website: www.ragingwaters.com
Notable attractions: Take a dark slide down Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror or Drop Out which according to their website is “one of the tallest vertical drops in the country.” You can also visit the Lilly Pads, an obstacle course that tests “your coordination and balance skills” while using overhead ropes for support.

SeaWorld
Location: San Diego
Cost: Ages 10 and up –  $69;
Ages 3-9 –  $59;
Kids 2 and under – Free.
Website: www.seaworld.com
Notable attractions: Not only can you see the newest show New Horizons, a show with dolphins, birds, and acting performances, but you can visit the sea lions as they perform their version of SNL, watch common household pets do fun tricks, and of course see the infamous Shamu in Shamu Show: Believe. You can take a break and visit some of their fun rides including Journey to Atlantis and Shipwreck Rapids. Of course don’t miss out on their various exhibits.

  Crescenta