Affordable Theme Parks in Southern California

Want to take your family out for a day of fun in the California sun but don't want to spend those "Goofy" prices? These affordable theme parks in Southern California will be just the adventure you need, without the dizzying admission prices. Each Southern California theme park mentioned here has admissions less than $25 per person. If water slides are more your style, there are affordable water parks in Southern California too, all with admissions less than $35 per person.

Affordable theme parks in Southern California

Located just 5 miles East of Disneyland, Adventure City in Anaheim, CA offers 10 rides for kids, as well as a rock wall, petting farm, children's theater, and Thomas and Friends train building exhibit. Adventure City is an affordable Southern California theme park with prices at $13.95 for adults and children, and $9.95 for seniors.

Castle Park in Riverside, CA offers 35 different rides and attractions for kids of all ages including a Log Ride on the water and Merlin's Revenge, a family-friendly roller coaster. Castle Park also offers miniature golf and a weekly magic show. Their day-pass admission prices are affordable at $24.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.

If you're looking for a more traditional and affordable carnival-type theme park, check out Pacific Park in Santa Monica. Pacific park features 6 adult and 6 children's rides, all with the beautiful Santa Monica Pier as scenery. This affordable Southern California theme park offers discounts if you buy tickets online, with unlimited ride wristbands at $16.95 for adults and $8.95 for children.

Affordable Water Parks in Southern California

Need to cool off? Then check out these affordable and family friendly water parks.

Head over to Raging Waters in San Dimas, CA for an affordable water theme park experience. Raging Waters also offers discounts for booking online at $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children. This water park features a variety of intense adult water slides and wave pools, as well as a kid friendly water playground, splash pools, and small water slides.

If you find yourself near the town of Vista, CA, stop by the Wave Waterpark. This is the most affordable water park on the list, with adult prices at $15, children at $11, and a special $7.50 admission after 3pm. Wave Waterpark features 5 water slides, a tubing river, large pool, and children's splash area.

Wild Rivers water park in Irvine, CA is a definite must see. With slides like the Bazooka Bowls that shoot you down a tube and end with a 3 foot plunge into a 9 foot pool, or the Watubee, an inner tube speed slide that lets you race your friends to the finish, it is a must-see. The little tikes will have a great time in the Kiddie Congo and Kiddie Bombay, miniature versions of some of the park's popular adult slides. This fun-filled park is affordable with prices at $31.98 for adults, $19.98 for juniors, $2 for toddlers (includes complimentary swim diapers all day). As if that weren't inexpensive enough, Wild River offers a special reduced admission after 4pm.

The Best of Both Worlds

If you can't decide if you want to do a water park, or a theme park, then the Belmont Park on Mission Beach is the place to go. This exciting and affordable Southern California theme park features a huge indoor heated swimming pool and an endless wave machine as well as a newly restored 1925 roller coaster, among other twisty, turny rides. A plus to this amusement park is no admission fee. Instead, you can either choose to pay per ride ($5-15) or purchase unlimited ride wristbands ($15.95 & $22.95). Check out their website for a $10 off coupon good on Thursday nights!