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Right across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California and only 15 minutes away from Disneyland is the ultra fun, wet and wild Soak City USA water park.  If you or your family is really into water sports, Soak City is the place to be!  Usually open from the third week of May until Labor Day, Soak City is just what you need to cool off from the scorching Southern California summer heat.  This water park is practically it’s own city with high speed water slides, both relaxing and swimming inner tube excursions as well as as gigantic 750,000 gallon Tidal Wave pool where you can body surf and boogie board just like you were at the beach.  Soak City USA is great for kids of all ages.  Children visiting the park may not be tall enough to go on many of the slide attractions (the minimum heighth on most slides is 42 inches and a minimum age of 5 years old), the park has a wonderful pool and activity lagoon area to give them a fun but safe experience.   The water park is reasonably priced at $20 for children 12 and under and $29 for adults.  You will need to pay the admission fee regardless if you are planning on utilizing the park or simply watching your family.  If you are hungry, there are several snack shops and hot dog bars within the park, but you are not allowed to bring in your own picnic lunch to eat inside of the park.  You are allowed, however, to bring in a small cooler with water bottles or hydrating drinks.  There are locker rentals so you do not have to carry your bags and towels around the park all day and so your valuables will be stored safely.  The cost is $22 for a large locker and $7 for a medium sized locker as well as a $5 deposit fee.

If you are planning on visiting Disneyland, do yourself a favor and save some time for a day at Sea World in San Diego.  Located 90 miles south of Anaheim, there are many tour buses that you can reserve to take you down to the park for the day, if you do not have your own car or rental.  Sea World is an amazing experience and anyone from young to old enjoys everything that Sea World has to offer.  Over the last 5 or so years, the park has made many incredible changes.  The park now offers many ride attractions, all of which include water (and getting wet) in one way or another.  The Journey to Atlantis ride is a thrill a minute adventure into the ancient Aztec village and the Shipwreck Rapids takes you barrelling down a swift moving river and though soaking wet water falls.  Be prepared to get wet!   The biggest highlight for most visitors however, are the live shows.  To see the beautiful and gentle killer whales leaping into the air with sheer gracefulness is truly a sight to behold.  There are other live shows that gear more towards making the audience laugh like a mischievous seal spanking the trainier to an extra large walrus with even larger belches.  These shows are true pieces of entertainment.  There are unbelievable exhibits that are awe inspiring.  Journey to the Wild Artic where you will come face-to-face with Beluga Wales, Polar Bears and Walruses, or take a walk on the wild side of the Shark Encounter and see these terrifyingly beautiful creatures as close as can be.  A day in Sea World is something that should not be missed.  You can easily visit the park in one day, but if you have 2 days to spare, you will be able to see every inch of the park and take every piece of it in.

If your hotel has a small kitchenette or a refrigerator in it, go to the grocery store for some lunch and snack items.  You are not allowed to bring outdoor food into the parks (with exception of water bottles and baby food), but there are lockers located directly outside of the parks where you can store a small cooler full of food.  There is a great picnic area between the two parks that is fantastic to sit, eat your lunch and people watch for a little while.  Bringing your own lunch will keep you within your meal budget exceptionally well.  Of course, always allow a small amount of your daily budget to go towards a famous frozen chocolate banana or a warm, crispy churro!