When California Theme Parks and Attractions Began

Many attractions have come and gone in California -- while numerous beach fun zones sprang up along the coast in the early 1900s, only memories or remnants of what once was remain. One such example is Belmont Park (belmontpark.com) in San Diego which opened in 1925 to stimulate real estate sales. Its Giant Dipper roller coaster and The Plunge swimming pool continue to operate in a portion of what once was Mission Beach Amusement Center.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is possibly the state's oldest, still functioning amusement. It opened in 1907.

Turn-of-the-century attractions such as Long Beach Pike (1902-1979), Seal Beach Joy Zone, and even contemporary  theme parks that didn't make it, have helped paved the way for the successes. Here's a look at the opening dates of some of California's theme parks, amusements and attractions that are with us now...

California Theme Park Openings

1907: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

1915: Universal Studios Hollywood $0.05 tour | See prices now

1923: Steinhart Aquarium in San Francisco (now part of California Academy of Sciences) | See prices

1923: San Diego Zoo $0.10 charged | See prices now

1955: Disneyland charged $1, $0.50 kid, rides $0.10 up | See prices now

1964: SeaWorld San Diego charged $2.25 admission | See prices now

1968: Knott’s Berry Farm began charging  $0.25 admission but it actually served the public as an attraction much earlier. It began as a roadside stand in 1920.   | See prices now

1971: Six Flags Magic Mountain charged $5, $3.50 child | See prices now

1972: Wild Animal Park (now San Diego Zoo Safari Park) | See prices

1976: Marriott’s Great America (now California Great America)

1984: Monterey Bay Aquarium opened

1986: Marine World (now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom) in Vallejo

1992: Safari West in Santa Rosa opened

1998: Aquarium of the Pacific

1998: National Steinbeck Center

1999: Legoland California  | See prices

2001: Disney’s California Adventure opened

2001: Bonfante Gardens (now Gilroy Gardens) opened