Spotlight: Southern California - Magic Mountain

Spotlight: A trip to southern California usually includes a trip to Disneyland. Having lived more than half of my life in SoCal, I have been to the "Happiest Place on Earth" many times - and enjoyed it every time. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most crowded places on Earth, and between tickets, food, souvenirs, parking, etc., one day can easily eat up the bulk of your travel budget. Luckily, there are several other amusements parks around that are less expensive, less crowded, or both. The most famous are: Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Location: Just off I-5 at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Google map to Magic Mountain

Time: Hours vary depending on the season, but plan to stay all day.

Cost: General admission - $69.99 (the same as a season pass). But if you order single day passes on-line 3-5 days in advance, you can get big discounts ($44.99). Parking is $20. Food is typical of amusement park prices. However, because of an agreement with Discover card, any purchases you make with your Discover card earns you 5% back. Also, if you plan on going to two Six Flags parks during the year, it is worth it to buy the season pass.

Description: Magic Mountain is hands down the best amusement park in southern California for roller coaster enthusiasts. The park is home to several Grade A roller coasters including: Full Throttle, X2, Goliath, Scream, Green Lantern, Batman, The Riddler's Revenge, Tatsu, and Viper. It also has several Grade B coasters including: Twisted Colossus (not yet open, but will replace the wooden icon that was damaged by fire), Superman, Ninja, Apocalypse, Gold Rusher, and Revolution. There are several other non-coaster thrill rides including: Lex Luther: Drop of Doom, Scrambler, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Swashbuckler, Buccaneer, Roaring Rapids, Jet Stream, and Tidal Wave. Bugs Bunny World has about a dozen rides geared toward a younger audience. Whistlestop Park also has a couple of kid rides.

Looking up at Tatsu

     In addition to rides, the park has a couple of arcades and several carnival-style games. There are also several entertainment venues that host shows between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The park has dozens of restaurants or food stands including Panda Express, Famiglia, Johnny Rockets, and Cold Stone.
- The videos on the official site can give you a much better idea of the rides than pictures can:
https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Things You Should Know: Almost all rides (including Bugs Bunny World) have a minimum height requirement of 36 inches. Most roller coasters have a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
- If you have an injury or medical condition, you will not be allowed on some rides due to safety restrictions. To get a detailed list of which rides have which restrictions, you can obtain a copy of the Safety & Accessibility Guide at Guest Relations.
- You are not allowed to carry bags of any kind on most rides. Most rides have boxes where you can leave bags, hats, phones, etc., but some do not and you will be required to use a locker ($1) for the duration of the ride. So if it isn't essential, don't carry it with you.
- Be extra cautious about cell phones. Unless you have deep pockets, the g-forces generated by many coasters will cause them to fly out and shatter. (We know from personal experience.)
- You will get wet on a few rides, so you may want to ride them early so that you have a chance to dry off before it cools down.
- If you are a Discover cardholder, get in the early entrance line. It will give you a 5 minute head start to your favorite coaster before the gates open for the general public.
- If you buy a season pass, you may also want to purchase a season dining pass that gives you lunch and dinner with every visit.
- You can upgrade your season pass to include Hurricane Harbor - the adjacent water park.

Nearby: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Rocky Peak Park, Santa Barbara, L.A.