The workers should be more efficient in loading and unloading. Comparing to Universal Studios and…read moreDisneyland, Sic Flags Vallejo workers take triple the time. Thus the park is not that crowded but it still takes very long for rides. If this is improved, park's memberships and attendees will double or triple. Even during the summer when kids are out, the park is quite empty for a weekday afternoon. Major upkeep, spiderwebs, cleanliness, paint, are all needed upgrades and regular maintenance. Used to be SO good years ago! Parking is easy not too crowded. Staff some are very enthusiastic some do not want to be here. Price for tickets and memberships are reasonable.

I had low expectations for Discovery Kingdom due to all the reviews, but it turned out way better…read morethan I imagined. We went on a Thursday and arrived around 10:30am. Got a fantastic parking spot close to the entrance. Opted to walk ~10 minutes to the entrance instead of taking the trolley/bus. My husband and I have the gold pass and are all about trying to maximize our value. The gold pass alone has been great for saving on parking costs after multiple visits. We were also able to buy Bring-A-Friend discounted tickets at Discovery Kingdom even though our home park is California's Great America. In comparison to California's Great America, I found the employees here much more pleasant and efficient in loading rides and doing safety checks. Waits for rides (included kiddie rides) didn't feel as long and it made a huge difference in our experience! My husband got the Fast Lane Ultimate and had a great experience squeezing in about 15 rides with no long waits. Mainly just needed to wait his turn as a car finished up. As for food, if you plan to stay a while and eat there, highly recommend the all day dining plan. The premium all day dining plan includes free refills (ICEEs included) and we totally got our money's worth within two meals! We shared food from two dining plans for five adults and a young toddler and were pretty full by the end of the day. There were plenty of tables with umbrellas for shade, so didn't have trouble finding a spot on a Thursday, but can see it being a problem when it's more crowded. Restrooms were very clean and plentiful. My husband and I accidentally forgot our diaper bag and thankfully, the shops had emergency diapers kits. Overall, very pleasant experience going on a non-peak day!

ALL ABOARD! Sonoma…read moreTrain Station is a delightful little hideaway that feels like stepping back in time. It's a perfect spot for families and train lovers alike, featuring authentic vintage trains, a charming gift shop, and plenty of hands-on fun for kids. Whether you're a local or visiting, it's one of those rare places that feels special, where you can truly relax and enjoy the simple joys of a day well-spent. We discovered it thanks to my dad's passion for trains, and it quickly became a favorite. The station is well-maintained and easy to navigate, with convenient parking nearby. While the café we visited isn't located inside the train station itself, it's close by and offers tasty, reasonably priced treats, perfect for taking a break and refueling. It's a wonderful place to connect with others, explore history, and make memories. If you're looking for a unique outing that's off the beaten path, Sonoma Train Station is absolutely worth visiting. A Content Train Enthusiast & Father

Fun in a go once and done kind of way. Very pricey. The train to the petting zoo costs $9.75 per…read moreperson. 1 and over must have a ticket. They have 5 other rides- Ferris wheel, roller coaster, helicopter, pirate ship and a twister ride. An adult must accompany a child if they are under the height limit even if they just stand by the child. Each ride is $4.25 or 5 tickets for $18.75. No outside food is permitted. It can be sweltering so be sure to bring water. Water very pricy- tiny bottle is $1.50. (Many people did bring outside food)

We spent the day at Hurricane Harbor on a Saturday, and while it was extremely busy, the kids had…read morean absolute blast! If you're planning a weekend visit, just be prepared for long lines. We waited about an hour just to get into the park around 11 a.m., and then another hour and a half for food later in the day. It was definitely crowded, but still manageable if you come prepared. My biggest tip is to arrive as early as possible if you want a good shaded spot with chairs. Those fill up fast! I'd also recommend bringing a blanket, a small pop-up tent or portable umbrella for extra shade, a waterproof phone case, and plenty of towels. Those little things can make a huge difference on a hot day. Keep in mind that outside food isn't allowed, but if you're trying to save money, you can always keep a cooler or lunch in your car and head out for a break before coming back in (if your admission allows re-entry). Also, don't expect a giant dessert--the funnel cake was much smaller than we expected, which was a little disappointing. Parking is another expense to plan for. It was around $30-$35, although it's free if you have a Gold Pass, which is a nice perk. Despite the crowds and long waits, the water attractions kept the kids smiling all day, and that's what made the trip worth it. We'll definitely be back--next time we'll just get there much earlier and be better prepared for the weekend crowds!

Disappointing experience, especially for the price…read more We visited Hurricane Harbor Concord on 8/9/26 and unfortunately left very disappointed, especially considering how much we spent. We paid $300 to rent a cabana, and no one ever checked our reservation or checked us in. We asked an employee how we were supposed to check in, and they didn't know. At no point did anyone verify that we had actually rented the cabana, which made us wonder why we paid $300 when it appeared we could have simply walked in and sat down. The cabana itself had tired, worn furniture and offered no additional service or amenities that we could see. Essentially, we paid $300 for a place in the shade. We also purchased the $20 unlimited-refill drink cup, but within a few hours the refill station had run out of ice, so the soda was warm. When we asked whether there were other refill locations, staff couldn't tell us. Even the water bottle filling stations ran out of water about halfway through the day, which was especially frustrating at a water park on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, the lack of helpful customer service was a theme throughout the day. Several employees seemed either poorly informed or uninterested in helping. When I asked the employee stationed outside the regular swimming pool whether it was open, she simply shook her head "no"--no explanation, greeting, or even a smile. Most of our interactions with staff felt unfriendly and dismissive. The ride operations were also frustrating. While waiting for Tornado, we realized there appeared to be only four four-person rafts in circulation, despite a line with hundreds of people waiting. It was incredibly inefficient and made the wait unnecessarily long. The rental tubes for the lazy river also ran out before the day was even halfway over. We expected crowds and lines at a water park on a summer weekend. What we didn't expect was a shortage of ride equipment, rental tubes, ice and even drinking water, combined with staff who often couldn't answer basic questions. For the amount of money a family can easily spend here in one day--especially after paying an additional $300 for a cabana--the overall experience simply did not feel worth the cost. Hurricane Harbor could be a really fun park, but the operations and customer service need significant improvement.

Better upkept than Six Flags Vallejo…read more Quite enjoyable to walk around. Helpers/kids were quite polite and excited to be working here. The park is kept pretty clean too. The water park seems fun and crowded on a Sunday: will come back to check it out. Lots of parking spots yet also very crowded and crazy parking lot. The ride times on the app are way longer tha mm the actual wait times. They were mostly 15-30 mins wait: not bad at all. Will come again. Drinks, Starbucks, snacks are 10% off if you have a Gold Pass. Of course Starbucks are more expensive at CGA than outside, which would be common.

Great America has been around for years! I used to come here as a teenager and absolutely loved the…read moreroller coasters and games!! It feels crazy being able to come back now with the family I created! My son and my partner had so much fun exploring Great America together! My son is 4 years old, and I absolutely love how diverse the park is when it comes to rides. They have everything from a younger kids section to roller coasters for the bigger kids and adults! The water section was actually new to me! Every time I've come to Great America, I've never used this specific section, but it was so much fun! There were lots of waterfalls, slides, and different areas for the kids to enjoy. I would definitely say check this place out whether you're looking for a fun date night or even a family day!

As a South Bay resident, this was our go-to park when our kids were younger! I'd say good for any…read moreage, but definitely for the under ten crowd! Such gorgeous grounds, and the trees and foliage are OUTSTANDING! Nice and shady, lots of places to park a stroller for a quick nap. Food and single day entry are pricey--but if you get a pass, the value is fantastic. And you can bring in food and snacks too. Special shout out for the Halloween and Holiday celebrations! Super fun for the kids, abs they even have special drinks for adults. Fantastic water park--hang in the shade while your older kids slide and play!

I have no idea how I was not tracking this water park for kids years ago. If you have kids 2-15 I…read morethink you will find this a great option to change up a slow weekend. Let me also state that if you think you will use it more than once go with the Premium Membership. It will get you 25% off all food and drink items in the park as well as free parking. That alone makes it a no brainer. You can also buy cups, popcorn containers that you can bring back every time and get free refills. To include, icees, fountain drinks and popcorn. The are $30 for the initial purchase and something like $24 with a premium membership, but it adds up. The park has a little bit of everything, if you want water parks it has two options, smaller on geared for infants to toddlers. And a larger one ideal for 5 and up. It's also great for an adult who wants to cool off on a hot day. They have a lot of rides, most acceptable for 3+ yo children. A few rides have height requirements but most of those are ones parents can't accompany the child. The have a train ride that is for all ages and it circles the entire park allowing you to get off at either stop. A tram ride that travels through a botanical garden and a bunch of rides to occupy the kids. Their food options border on fair/fast food. We tried the Wok restaurant and well I would not recommend it. We tried chicken shish-kabobs it was under whelming. Wait times during peak meal times can be very long so recommend you plan around it or suffer during it. One other consideration, while much of the park is under tree canopy, on a hot day stepping out from under the shade into the open can feel like hell's kitchen. Our last visit temps hit over 100 and being out of the shade was brutal. You will never be more aware of this than at the water park areas, lack of shade into those areas is rough. They have cabanas you can rent but I fear on a hot day the cabanas probably get hot since they have no fans. We will definitely be going back and I urge those of you with kids to give it a try.

My 7-year old LOVED this place, so that alone makes it 5 stars. For me personally, I'd say 3…read morestars, when factoring in its easy location and not having to wait in lines. So let's preface this with, my daughter corresponds with her "very own fairy" (aka. me--a very involved parent who also celebrates her half birthday, commits to elaborate elf on the shelf surprises for a prolonged period each year, is her Girl Scouts troop leader, etc.). She's been asking her fairy to take her to Neverland. The fairy responded "not yet", and instead supplied what my daughter referred to as "free" tickets" (online $20/pp, or $139/annual which includes an adult and 3 kids) to Fairyland the next day. We took the Bart to 19th St Oakland from San Francisco, which was SUPER convenient (daughter loves the train, and I hate driving in traffic), thought a bit of a walk in the Oakland heat/humidity. Also the lake that it's located on, absolutely reeks of sewage--I don't understand how people purposely walk/jog along the edges; but at least you can't really smell it from Fairyland. Just walk on the upper sidewalk or across the street if you share in my disgust. You'll get plenty of cute photos. The few rides they have (4 rides total) are very cute, had no lines on a summer weekday, and only accommodate heights between 36"-54" (except for the Jolly Trolley train which is all heights though adults need to watch their heads when squeezing in and out). The height restriction is very important to know before you go, to ensure your kid isn't disappointed. Wear sunscreen. No mosquitoes, which I was concerned about given the standing lake water and humidity. There are outdoor sinks with soap and antibacterial to wash your hands periodically, which I appreciated. As expected, a high priced gift shop, though it's stocked primarily with smaller toys, so if you're roped into purchasing something it won't break the bank. The single restaurant counter is actually quite perfect! Imaginibbles serves super cute, kid friendly healthy food that is reasonably priced at ~$7/entree. Smaller portions, but in my opinion, perfect for a theme park. The reusable cup ($8, includes one refill) is color changing when cold, very sturdy for a plastic cup, and you can fill with strawberry, white peach or watermelon lemonade that isn't overly sweet. You are also allowed to bring your own food, and there were plenty of folks picnicking on the large grassy area. Attractions are definitely old (paint missing throughout), and not cleaned well. Spiderwebs galore, particularly in areas that are meant to only be looked at, such as the Alice statue that you can see through a window in the Alice in Wonderland tunnel. A quick broom sweep would do wonders! There are a number of cute smaller animals, like chickens, a bearded dragon, 2 donkeys, and a land tortoise. These areas conversely appear relatively well maintained, which is fantastic for both the animals and to keep smells minimal. There is also a pressed wood town area with a slide where the kids can run around and climb into the different buildings, which seemed to be a favorite of many kids. There is a long ~30min puppet show (daily ~11am, 2pm) that changes seasonally, and somehow manages to keep most kids' attention. Magic key ($3) is an easy souvenir (colors change each day, so theoretically you can collect them), and used to hear music/stories through various boxes around the park. Though boxes are staticky (older), and some have bolts sticking out that prevent your key from being turned and thus the stories/music to play. My daughter quickly tired of them anyway, but she loves treasures like the "magic" key, so it was money well spent. There is also a hand-crank penny presser (51 cents) in the gift shop, so bring some change. One disappointment of Fairyland, is that there are literally no "fairies" anywhere to be found. You'd think they might have a few tiny fairy houses situated out of reach, or even fairy lights in trees to simulate fairies. Overall, fun filled and worth the ticket price. Just be sure your kid is in the height range for rides!

This place is strategically built so that there's shade everywhere on those hot summer days. Even…read morethe slides have covers over them so that the metal doesn't get too hot. It's this attention to detail that sets it apart from other amusement parks. And the food. Let's talk about the food. This is not your overpriced, cheap-quality, greasy carnival junk. It's actually healthy fruits and veggies with milk or other house-made stuff. Fun shapes, like a rocket quesadilla. Even my fussy eater wants to eat here. Do we need to talk about the rides or value? The kids come here all day and never want to leave!

We took our nephews for some afternoon fun & had a pretty good time!…read more Cordial & welcoming staff Nice selection of games for the location's size. Laser tag was fun but the space is small. It's perfect for 10 & under. Go-karts were fun but not very fast. They also have mini golf & water bumper cars. We had fun and enjoyed ourselves. #GoSee

So much fun. Helpful staff. There are so many things to do here! Endless. It's an all day fun day…read more And worth if u get the daily pass. The only problem was during mini golf, there isn't a restroom close enough. Still had fun.

We took my daughter to The Boardwalk for my daughter's 8th birthday. It was a beautiful day and…read moreeveryone was outside. We were lucky enough to find parking rather quickly. We spent the day walking around, riding rides, playing games and eating great food! We can't wait to go back!!!!

THE BEACH BOARDWALK -- 10/10, MY WALLET IS STILL MAD ABOUT IT…read more This place was a damn good time. The Beach Boardwalk basically has everything you need for a day of questionable financial decisions, excellent food, and wondering why you thought you needed to ride THAT particular ride after eating. I stopped and had a Tide Pod beer -- obviously NOT an actual Tide Pod, because apparently we're supposed to be responsible adults now -- but that beer was cold, refreshing, and hit the damn spot. Then I found an Oreo funnel cake... and HOLY HELL. That thing was FANTASTIC. Crispy, sweet, loaded with Oreo goodness, and exactly the kind of food that makes you completely forget that you were supposed to be making responsible choices. I don't know who came up with the idea of putting Oreos on a funnel cake, but that person deserves a damn trophy. And then there were the sea lions! Those guys were putting on their own show, barking and carrying on like they were the headliners and WE were the tourists. Meanwhile, I've got my APBT service dog standing there looking at them like, "So THESE are the weird dogs everyone keeps talking about?" I swear my pit bull and those sea lions were having a silent conversation. The sea lions were making all kinds of noise, my dog was watching them like they had completely lost their minds, and I was standing there thinking, "Great... now my dog thinks he's at a family reunion." ‍ I also had my APBT service dog with me, and once we got him a wristband identifying him as a service dog, he was welcomed and had no problems being with us. ‍ I really appreciated that. Being able to take my service dog somewhere and actually enjoy myself without any unnecessary hassle makes the experience THAT much better. The whole place had that classic boardwalk vibe -- people everywhere, rides, food, noise, sea lions, dogs that aren't dogs, and enough temptation to make your wallet start sweating before you even realize you've spent money. Honestly, I had a BLAST. The beer was good, the Oreo funnel cake was freaking fantastic, the sea lions were hilarious, my pit bull was welcomed, and now I already want to go back. Would absolutely return. 10/10. My only complaint is that my stomach has apparently filed a formal complaint against my decision-making skills. beer and funnel cake. Now excuse me while I go see if I can find another Oreo funnel cake before my dog and the sea lions get there fight over the one in trying to enjoy.

Cute park for my 2 year old!…read more It's great to know that the toddlers don't get left out of the fun here- there are enough rides that will entertain them until nap time. Upon entrance there's a height chart to see what rides your child qualifies for. You buy tickets to ride the rides - I recommend getting a bulk pack for extra savings. Tickets can roll over to future visits and don't expire. They have fair-style food - the hand dipped corn dog was yummy! My toddler enjoyed the airplane, car and the tea cup rides. Recommend going early as it fills up toward the afternoon.

This is a great amusement park for younger kids. We took our 2 and 4 year old kids here and they…read moreboth LOVED it! The train, cars, and airplanes were faves. They were excited to try the roller coaster, but they did not end up liking it. The snack shack is great too and they have a variety of options for kids including pretzels, applesauce, and other foods. The ticket system was interesting and I think an overall admissions process might be better. We stayed for about an hour and a half and rode almost every ride twice. Great customer service too!

Very entertaining park for children while still lively and interesting for parents at the zoo…read more There was plenty of available parking, but it was a bit pricey. It was $10 for any amount of time, and a staff member consistently warned visitors entering about potential fines. Before the ticket booth, there were bronze sculptures of animals and funnily shaped characters. Notably, those in the sun were covered up, most likely to protect children from burns in the intense heat. There wasn't much of a crowd despite my weekend visit, and everyone was swift and friendly. We paid $22 per adult for entry. I highly recommend coming near opening, as the animals were being fed and were incredibly active. When I swung by some of the exhibits later in the day, many of them weren't out and about since there wasn't any food tempting them. One complaint would be how inaccurate the map was. While it depicted specific pathways, turns, and connections, it was nothing like that in reality. It was difficult to keep track of which animals we had seen as the exhibits were oriented differently throughout the park. Rides had specific hours when they were open, so if your child has a specific ride in mind, I would double-check the day's schedule. Otherwise, there were constant shows distributed throughout the day. The center of the park was perfect for picnics, as the grass was well maintained and there was some shade from the larger trees. Unfortunately, the jaguar was unavailable during my visit, but the other animals made up for it. I adored the capybaras and their intense munching on lettuce and carrots. My favorite had to be the fennec foxes as they pranced around in the sun. Not the largest zoo, but it was a fun supplement to the rides and amusement park. The animal exhibits alone were enough to keep me entertained, while the rides, shows, and picnic areas gave children plenty to do. I just wished the parking and admission were a bit cheaper.

Happy Hollow is such a fun place for families with young kids! If you have little ones, this is a…read moregreat park to spend the day. There are so many rides designed just for younger children, and my son had a blast exploring everything. Our absolute favorite was the helicopter ride where you pedal to make your helicopter fly higher into the air. It was such a unique ride, and he couldn't stop talking about it! The outside play area was also much bigger than we expected and was adorable. It gave the kids plenty of space to climb, explore, and burn off energy. The petting zoo was another fun stop, and we loved the cute sand digging station next to the tortoise exhibit. While the animal exhibits aren't as large or extensive as some bigger zoos, the variety of rides and play areas more than makes up for it. Happy Hollow is really the perfect mix of a zoo and an amusement park for younger children. They also have a full café with plenty of options, including pizza, snacks, ice cream, and even healthier choices, so it's easy to spend the entire day without leaving the park. The only downside during our visit was that I wish more of the rides had been open. Even so, we had a wonderful time and are already planning another visit. Next time we'll arrive earlier so we can enjoy even more of what the park has to offer. Overall, it's a fantastic family destination, and we'll definitely be back!