Disneyland and California Adventure Park (Anaheim, CA)

Best for: age 3 and up

Disney’s original park, Disneyland, lacks the size, but not the magic, of its younger Florida kin. Many of the attractions for which the Magic Kingdom is famed reside here too, including The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Pirates of the Caribbean and daily parades down Main Street USA. Storybook themes target the youngest audiences. But older kids and teens like the frights at the recently added California Adventure Park, which showcases the outdoor thrills of the Golden State in rides that simulate white water rafting and hang-gliding. There are musical shows, character interactions and a shopping district too.

Details: http://www.disney.com/, 714/999-4565, day passes from $46-$56, one-day pass to both parks $66-$76, two-day two-park passes $85-$105.

Legoland (Carlsbad, CA)

Best for: age 4 to 14

A park designed to inspire the imagination, Legoland celebrates its namesake—interlocking building blocks—in a campus starring miniature US landmarks made entirely of Legos. Everything from the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge to Mississippi River boatmen get the Lego treatment at the park, located just north of San Diego. Builders stationed nearby provide insight into Lego construction and a test track allows kids to build a car they can race on a digitally timed track. Rides too are interactive, including a drive-it-yourself boats and cars. Only a couple of coasters have a height requirement of over 42-inches making this a prime park for junior Lego fans.

Details: www.lego.com/legoland, 760/918-5346, day passes from $42-50, two-day passes $50-$58.