Summer is the high season at California theme parks, with longer hours, more festivals, and the eagerly anticipated debuts of new rides and shows. These days, plenty of California parks introduce their new attractions as early as March and throw special parties throughout the spring.
During both spring and summer, you can score good deals too—either by buying your tickets online or bundling in hotel stays, sometimes with their own discounts.
Plan your next California theme park trip around these new experiences, events, and excellent special offers.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Experience Elephant Valley
When: Opened March 5
The Escondido branch of the famed San Diego Zoo has created a sprawling new space for the largest land animals on earth. Walk the pathways of Elephant Valley—created out of a partnership with an elephant sanctuary in northern Kenya—and you can see elephants on either side of you, munching their greens among the recreated savannas and grasslands.
The area’s restaurant, Mkundu, offers views of elephants by a lagoon as well as a menu of African-inspired cuisine. For an even closer look, take the guided Elephant Walk or stay over in a Roar & Snore safari tent right outside the viewing area.
Get a Deal: Save $5 by buying one-day tickets online—and you save even more when you buy two- or three-day tickets.
LEGOLAND California
New LEGO Galaxy and Galacticoaster Unveiled
When: Opened March 6
LEGOLAND California gets its first new coaster in 20 years with Galacticoaster, part of the new space-themed LEGO Galaxy area. Before you board the indoor ride, you and fellow riders will personalize your virtual spacecraft at touchscreen kiosks.
The rest of the new space-themed area at the Carlsbad parks includes two smaller rides, themed dining, and a play area with LEGO-building activities.
The summer also brings special entertainment, including the LEGO Festival—weekends of live performances and special hands-on activities (dates still TBD)—and the Red, White & Boom! festivities over the July 4 holiday.
Get a Deal: Stay at the park’s onsite hotels and enjoy a second day free inside the theme park (book and stay through the end of 2026)
Sesame Place San Diego
Elmo’s Springtacular and Sesame Summer Splash
When: Begins March 27 and May 23
The Chula Vista theme park opens for the 2026 season on March 27 and will celebrate its 4th birthday the same day with a dance party, free birthday treats, and photo meet-and-greets with Sesame Street characters. It’s also the first day of Elmo’s Springtacular (weekends and select dates March 27–May 22), which features chalk art, a scavenger hunt, and themed storytimes. On April 4–5, the park’s Sunny Day Cafe will do an Easter Dine with Elmo, featuring both Elmo and the Easter Bunny.
The park operates daily from March 27 to April 5 then transitions to weekends only until Memorial Day weekend. Starting May 23 through September 7, guests can enjoy the Sesame Summer Splash, featuring unique live entertainment and additional activities.
Get a Deal: Buy your tickets online before you arrive. For a limited time, you can save up to 55 percent during the Spring Break Sale, along with 30 percent off season passes, which include free parking and discounts on food and merchandise.
Disneyland Resort
Bluey and Star Wars Characters Arrive at Disney
When: Starting in March and April
Disneyland Resort continues celebrating its 70th Anniversary with a bevy of new arrivals. Starting March 22, Bluey will become a fixture in Disneyland’s Fantasyland—making character appearances and appearing in her own show, Bluey’s Best Day Ever, at the Fantasyland Theatre.
On April 29, Disneyland park will turn up the Jedi vibes in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The area’s “timeline” will extend back to the original movies, so characters including Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader will join the scene, as will the melodies of the iconic John Williams soundtrack.
Get a Deal: Plan your visit to Anaheim around special deals—like up to 25 percent off onsite hotels. This summer, kids ages 3–9 can get a one-day park hopper ticket for $50 for visits between May 22 and Sept. 7.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster Officially Opens
When: Summer Date TBD
Universal Studios Hollywood salutes the Fast and Furious movie series with a new ride—the first high-speed outdoor roller coaster ever at the Los Angeles theme park.
“Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” will feature iconic cars from the series—including Dodge Chargers and Mazda RX-7s—that “drift” along the track, taking 360-degree turns and reaching speeds up to 72 miles per hour. The high-profile coaster will even cross over the Los Angeles park’s escalators that connect the Upper and Lower Lots.
Before the ride debuts, the park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter will celebrate Butterbeer Season (March 1–May 31) with themed merch and limited-time treats such as a butterbeer waffle or cream puff.
Starting March 10 (or “MAR10 Day” for Nintendo superfans), Super Nintendo World will roll out special desserts (like a blue-velvet Rosalina Cupcake) and merch in honor of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (runs through April 13).
Universal Fan Fest Nights kick off April 23 with new experiences, including a new show in the WaterWorld venue and an interactive mystery experience, Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters (runs through May 16).
Get a Deal: Buy your tickets online and consider the Two Days for $150 deal. You just need to use the second day within 90 days of the first, with some blackout dates.
SeaWorld San Diego
Exclusive Shark Encounters
When: Spring date TBD
See 11 different vulnerable or threatened species—including sand tiger sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and Australian leopard sharks—and learn how, despite their bad-boy reputation, sharks help keep the ocean healthy. The reimagined Shark Encounter area at SeaWorld San Diego features a 360-degree underwater tunnel and a “surge tank” that simulates crashing waves.
Consider taking the VIP Shark Tour, which offers access to an exclusive walkway above the shark habitat and lets you learn how staff feed and care for the resident sharks.
Spring and summer also bring a lineup of concerts—featuring R&B, hip-hop, and rap hits from the '90s and early 2000s—at the Bayside Amphitheater.
Get a Deal: Always buy your tickets online for the San Diego theme park—you can save almost half off and bundle in all-day dining options.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Scavenger Hunts, Luaus, and Summer Night Discounts
When: June, July, August
The Santa Cruz boardwalk amusement park offers several festive events throughout the spring and summer: the Boardwalk Bunny Hunt with prizes (March 21–April 5), Summer Luaus (select nights from July 10–31), and live entertainment on Evenings on the Colonnade (typically June through August).
Get a Deal: Admission to this boardwalk amusement park is always free, but you can score deals on rides and games when you either book half-price wristbands after 5 p.m. on Summer Discount Nights or half-price arcade games during Mornings at the Arcade (June 16–Aug. 8).
Gilroy Gardens
Voyage to the Islands and Cherry Jubilee Festivals
When: May, June, and July
The agriculture-themed park in Gilroy reopens for the year on March 28 and will offer a few festivals over the spring and summer: Voyage to the Islands (weekends in May) salutes the Polynesian Islands through live music, authentic cuisine, cultural performances, and creative activities for kids. In June, the popular event from last summer, Cherry Jubilee, returns with cherry-infused cuisine and live entertainment from The Merry Cherry Bunch (every day from June 5–July 5).
The park’s water park area, Water Oasis and Lakeside Splash, opens for the summer on May 9. Check the calendar for this summer’s Camp Nights when you can play in the theme park after hours, watch a movie outside, and then sleep under the stars.
Get a Deal: If you go even twice in one year, a premium season membership that includes parking more than pays for itself.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Conservation Days at Discovery Kingdom and More
When: Select Days during the rest of 2026
The Six Flags in Vallejo has always offered both thrill rides and a wildlife park. This summer, the park celebrates Conservation Days with extra education about its wildlife—indeed, every animal at Discovery Kingdom is a rescue that experts have determined cannot survive in the wild. Learn more about them at the park on World Ocean Day (June 6), World Giraffe Day (June 20), Shark Awareness Day (July 11), and Big Cat Day (Aug. 8).
You can also see shows or get up close with them on interactive tours and the Backstage Safari.
Get a Deal: Scope out Discovery Kingdom’s special offers, including deals that bundle in dining or the Bring a Friend Ticket that starts at just $25.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Summer Entertainment and More Fried Chicken
When: Starting June 12
The boysenberry-loving park in Buena Park is bringing back its popular summer events, including the dance-party-filled Knott’s Summer Nights and the interactive all-day show Ghost Town Alive! (both June 12–Aug. 30).
During the summer, Knott’s Berry Farm is also getting a new chicken-and-boysenberry restaurant. Crafty’s Kitchen will offer a twist on the fried chicken and boysenberry pie from the famous Mrs. Knott’s restaurant, just outside the gates: The menu has chicken ‘n’ biscuits, wings, and boysenberry pie shakes.
Get a Deal: Buying your ticket online instead of at the gate saves you almost half the price. Also check out the hotel-and-park packages to stay next door at the Knott’s Hotel. Packages include tickets, a hotel room, breakfast, and parking.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Reimagined Looney Tunes Land Opens
When: Summer date TBD
Sure, Santa Clarita park is the Thrill Ride Capital of the World (after all, it has a record-breaking 19 thrill rides), but you can also find good, low-key fun at Magic Mountain. The park’s Looney Tunes Land is being reimagined with new rides, play areas, and attractions, as well as four distinct zones devoted to Bugs Bunny, Taz, Wile E. Coyote, and Daffy Duck.
Other events this summer include the live shows and character meet and greets at DC Heroes & Villains Fest (weekends from June 19 to July 25) and Star-Spangled Night (July 4). Next door, Magic Mountain’s water park, Hurricane Harbor, will open for the season on May 23, running through Sept. 7.
Get a Deal: Check the special offers page for deals like the Bring-a-Friend ticket, which is more than 50 percent off the gate price.
Pacific Park
Pier 360 Beach Festival
When: June and July
This classic amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier celebrates summer with the Pier 360 Beach Festival (June 27–28), featuring live music and ocean-sports competitions such as paddleboard races, ocean swims, beach volleyball, and tandem surf contests. Come back to Santa Monica for the July 4 weekend to see the famous Pacific Wheel turn red, white, and blue.