Things to Do In Garden Grove: Theme Parks

Garden Grove, CA, is one of the top spots to stay for families seeking days of fun at theme parks. With some theme parks in Garden Grove and others only a few minutes away, the city’s unique charm makes it ideal for using as your home base whether you are visiting for a day, a weekend, or more. We have put together all the details you need to plan a fun family getaway in one of Southern California’s top cities to visit.

Theme Parks Near Garden Grove

Theme Parks Near Garden Grove

For over 70 years, Disneyland Resort has served as a premier attraction in Southern California. In recent years, the park has attracted nearly 30 million visitors annually. Both parks have rides suitable for all ages, themes that embody dozens of beloved Disney franchises, ranging from their classic animated films to Star Wars.

Address

1313 Disneyland Dr

Anaheim, CA 92802

WEBSITE

Hours: Vary Seasonally

  • Summer Hours: 8:00 AM to Midnight
  • General hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Average Ticket Cost:

  • Adult: One-day, one-park tickets start at $104, with higher prices on more popular dates.
  • Child: Ages 3–9 receive child pricing. Special promotions may significantly reduce the cost; for example, Disney’s 2026 Kids’ Summer Ticket Offer provides a $50 one-day Park Hopper ticket for children ages 3–9 for visits through September 7, 2026. Children under 3 do not need a theme park ticket. Both tickets and park reservations are generally required.

Distance from Garden Grove

Approximately 5–10 minutes from Garden Grove’s Harbor Boulevard resort area, depending on traffic and your starting location.

Highlights

  • Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks: Disneyland Park & California Adventure
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and Pixar experiences
  • Park Hopper tickets allow guests to visit both parks on the same day.

Parking

Standard theme park parking is $40 per car or motorcycle. Preferred parking is $60.

Fun Fact

Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, bringing Walt Disney’s vision for an immersive family theme park to life. Some of the park’s earliest attractions are still available to be experienced today.

Age Range

All ages! Rides and attractions at both parks can appeal to fungoers from toddlers to adults.

Great Wolf Lodge Southern California

The Lodge itself operates 24 hours a day, but the main attraction is the massive indoor water park it houses. Expect 105,000 square feet of water-park entertainment, with the water kept at a comfortable 84 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer dry-land activities, they have also added a range of new attractions.

If you are staying at the Great Wolf Lodge, you will have unlimited access to the water park. Access remains valid from your arrival to the Lodge all the way through to your departure day.

Address

12681 Harbor Blvd

Garden Grove, CA 92840

WEBSITE

Hours

10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

The resort operates 24 hours a day, but indoor water park hours vary by date. Full-day passes provide water park access from opening until closing, while half-day passes begin at 4:00 PM. Visitors should check the schedule for their selected date.

Average Ticket Cost:

Adult:

  • Day passes start at approximately $40
  • Half-day passes start at $28 (admission from 4:00 PM until closing)
  • Note: Pass costs may be affected by dynamic pricing based on the date and availability.

Child:

  • Children 2 years old and younger receive free admission

Distance from Garden Grove

Located directly in Garden Grove at 12681 Harbor Boulevard.

Highlights:

  • Water slides
  • Pools
  • A lazy river
  • A wave pool
  • Children’s play areas
  • Additional dry-land attractions and activities

Add-On Attractions

Visitors can add on access to any of the dry-land activities such as:

  • Laser Trail: High-energy fun with two game options for interactive laser tag.
  • Howlers Peak Ropes Course: Face challenge head on with an expert-designed ropes course (with a climbing harness for safety).
  • Howlers Peak Adventure: Three stories of structures to climb, slide, and play around
  • Howl in One Mini Golf: A full nine holds of mini golf packed with tricky obstacles, hilarious traps, and a fun visual aesthetic.
  • The Visual Frontier: Virtual reality with age-appropriate selections for kids and teens.
  • Ten Paw Alley: Kid-sized bowling with shorter lanes focused on fun.
  • Build-A-Bear Workshop: Build your own Wolf Pack companion with their onsite creation station.
  • Northern Lights Arcade: From classics to contemporary takes, win prizes and reach a new high score in their dazzling arcade area.

Parking

Day-pass guests pay $35 per day for self-parking. Overnight guest parking is $35 per night plus tax. Valet parking is available for overnight guests at $42 per night.

Fun Fact:

In 2016, Great Wolf Lodge Southern California opened to become the chain’s first California location.

Age Range

All ages, including toddlers, teens, and adults.

Knott's Berry Farm

Though not as world-famous as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm is still a top-tier theme park home to world-class rides, shows, and attractions. With over 40 attractions, it has something for visitors of all ages. Adrenaline-pumping roller coasters? Check. Family-friendly areas? Check. Drinks and dining? Check and check.

Address

8039 Beach Boulevard

Buena Park, California 90620

WEBSITE

Hours: Vary Seasonally

  • Summer Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00–11:00 PM (depending on the day)
  • Off-Peak Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 (on weekdays) or later (on weekends)
  • Be sure to check the park calendar before arriving.

Average Ticket Cost

Adult: Online single-day tickets start at approximately $65 ($110 at the gate)

Child: Daily admission pricing generally starts at the same online rate, depending on the visit date and available promotions.

Distance from Garden Grove:

Approximately 8 miles from central Garden Grove (roughly 12–20 minutes depending on traffic).

Highlights

  • Major roller coasters
  • Family attractions
  • Immersive themed areas:
    • Historic Ghost Town
    • Fiesta Village
    • Boardwalk
    • Camp Snoopy

Parking

  • Standard parking for cars and motorcycles is $35.
  • Preferred parking closer to the park entrance is $55.

Fun Fact:

Before it became a theme park, Knott’s was a working berry farm. Walter Knott helped popularize the boysenberry, while Cordelia Knott’s famous chicken dinners attracted such large crowds that the family began creating attractions to entertain waiting guests. Over time, those attractions eventually grew into today’s theme park.

Age Range

All ages. Camp Snoopy and family rides are ideal for younger visitors. But there are also larger roller coasters that will appeal to older children, teens, and adults.

Adventure City

If you want to avoid the crowds of larger parks, Adventure City could be the right choice. The compact 2-acre park is home to 17 rides and attractions, making it ideal for shorter days out. Stay fueled and hydrated at one of the multiple places for food and beverages across the grounds, including a Starbucks and a caramel apple cart, a local favorite.

Address

1238 South Beach Blvd

Anaheim, California 92804

WEBSITE

Hours: Vary by Season

  • Typically range from approximately 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays
  • Later closing times on select weekends.
  • Note: The park may not operate every day during slower seasons, so always check the park’s calendar before visiting.

Average Ticket Cost:

Admission is $32.95 for general admission for ages 1 year and up. The climbing wall and arcade require an additional purchase, which start at $10 for the “Adventure City Fun Card.”

Distance from Garden Grove:

Approximately 10–15 minutes from most areas of Garden Grove, depending on traffic.

Highlights

  • A smaller and more relaxed theme park experience designed primarily for families with younger children.
  • Family-friendly roller coasters, children’s rides, a carousel, train rides, and a petting farm.
  • A compact layout makes it easier for families who do not want to spend an entire day navigating a large theme park.

Parking

Free parking is included, and the parking area is located a short walk from the entrance.

Fun Fact

The independently owned park opened in 1994 and has developed a loyal following among Southern California families seeking a smaller alternative to the region’s major theme parks.

Age Range

Best for toddlers through approximately age 12 years.

Post-Park Cooldown Recommendations

Whether you spent a full day or a few hours on local fun hotspots, Garden Grove has a range of ways to wind down.

Take a Hotel Pool Break: Many Garden Grove resort hotels have pools and family-friendly amenities. Stretch out by the pool (perhaps with a drink) and let your kids use up the rest of their energy with unstructured pool time.

Enjoy a Relaxed Family Dinner: Garden Grove’s diverse dining scene makes it easy to find something for any taste palette. Local favorites include Vietnamese cuisine in and around Little Saigon or one of the many familiar family restaurants along the Harbor Boulevard corridor.

Plan a Dessert Stop: If the kids behaved themselves, an evening treat could hit the spot. Garden Grove has numerous local shops offering ice cream, pastries, boba, or other desserts. Sit down, recap your favorite part of the day, and recharge.