4 days in california- need advice!

Hi, sometime in May I am taking a trip to California. I need to start planning on what to do and I want to go to at least 1 park. What would you do? What park would you recommend to go to? What other attractions are worth while to go and see? Thanks for the help in advance.

For starters, what area of California are you looking to go to? California is a BIG state and it takes a LONG time to go from one end to the other. I mean Southern California has Disneyland, DCA, Knotts, Universal. Go a couple hours north and you have SFMM. And if you go even further into Northern California, you have PGA and SFMW. Tell us at least what area of California you're looking to go to (L.A., San Diego, San Fransisco...) and we can better tell you what's in the area.

To be honest, there's a TON of stuff to do and see in Southern California between Hollywood and L.A. but picking between the parks in the area would be tough. SFMM is fairly isolated, but we stayed in L.A. and still drove to SFMM, so it is possible. Northern California is closer to where all those National Forests and Red Wood trees and such are, plus the charm of San Fransisco and the Golgen Gate Bridge, but a drive from Northern Cali to Southern Cali is quite a long trip, so you really need to decide between north and south first.

Yeah, I realize that there is a lot to do in California, which is why I posted so I could get help to decide.

I don't know what part of California, I was thinking south, like around San Diego, but I would really like to go to the national parks and such in the north. Ahh what a hard decsion....

I would like to go to Disney or DCA but I am assuming that they will be crowded becuase of the big birthday party. Am I right to assume this?

Go to SFMM, 30 mins north of LA-yes they do have an incredible selection of roller coasters! It is for hardcore ride luvers-X IS AWESOME!!!!SCREAM IS AWESOME!!!RIDDLER IS AWESOME!!!!GOLIATH IS AWESOME!! You can go in the afternoon when you arrive in town, pay $2.00 more for a "Twicket" two-day pass, ride all the rides into the dark(Scream and Revolution are really great at night!), and then come back the next day with your pass and start all over. Go back to your hotel(I found a great room in Burbank/Studio City, two-star on Priceline for $28.00 a night-that is a good spot-30 mins from SFMM and right next to LA) and the next morning you head to Knotts(25 mins from hotel)to ride their great rides including Ghostrider and Silver Bullet<--BRAND NEW!!!

As far as visiting up in northern California, I would say don't bother unless other things up here interest you besides just amusement parks. San Francisco is a great place to visit, especially down by the piers. SFMW and PGA are good places to visit, but by themselves they just don't make it worth the trip up here if it means ditching all the entertainment down south.

Ummmmmmm, oh sh1t nevermind.

If you decide to go up north, I would visit SFMW over PGA. MW is a decent SF park, IMO. But I would take a split of Bonfante during the day and SCBB at night. Sure these parks have less thrill rides, but both of these have WAY more fun ones. And the setting of each is to die for. Plus, Bonfante really is amazing.
Down South is a tough call, but I would have to pick SFMM as the one park to visit. This is based solely on X. There simply is no ride out there like it. However, Knott's is the overall better park for me. Friendlier, with better theming and easily boasts the better flats. Xcelerator is fast and fun, and Ghostrider kicks the crap out of the combined fun rating for both of MM's woodies.
I guess it matters what your looking for/expecting out of a park,

I guess it matters what your looking for/expecting out of a park,

That's the problem with these types of threads. Amnesiac needs to be more specific in what she and/or those she's travelling with enjoy with regards to parks.

SFMM might be great for thrill-seeking teens and enthusiasts but if travelling with a family a more well-rounded park like Knotts or the Disney Resort might be best suited for their needs.

Unless Amnesiac tells us specifically what kind of experience is desired the only answers you're gonna find in this thread are people suggesting a visit to THEIR favorite park without true regards to Amnesiac's needs.

And that does no good.

*** Edited 4/11/2005 3:14:52 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

Getting tired of telling eveyone to go to Knott's Moosh? ;)

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but I would really like to go to the national parks and such in the north.

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Then whatever you decide, do not miss Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Big Sur, some of the most stunning beautifully breathtaking places on the planet. Nothing in SoCal even comes close, but the parks are better down there, so you'll have to decide what's a higher priority.