The Only Guide You Need

How to Buy Discounted California Theme Park Tickets

There is absolutely no need to pay gate prices for California theme park tickets. All it takes to save is some number crunching and pre-planning. We do most of the research for you — ongoing and fact-checked regularly — and present where we think the best value is for visiting Disneyland, LEGOLAND, Universal Studios Hollywood, San Diego Zoo, and other Southern California theme and amusement parks. You can click to buy below!

If you make purchases through some links in this post, we may be compensated, which helps keep our advice and other services free. We thank you in advance for supporting our small business! Our editorial guidelines.


The Most Purchased Ticket Deals



More About Popular California Theme Parks


Entrance to the San Diego Zoo during normal times.

San Diego Zoo (request my promo code)

This world-famous zoo might be San Diego’s number-one attraction! No San Diego vacation is complete without a visit to the impressive San Diego Zoo, where you can ride the SkyFari tram and see hippos, Polar Bear Plunge, koalas, and so many other amazing exhibits for all ages. But don’t pay full price I have a promo code that makes these tickets even cheaper! Use the information below to get discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo for single-day and multi-day visits for grownups and kids.

Check for unpublished deeper savings on tickets through my partnership with aRes Travel, an authorized San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance ticket seller. My price includes taxes and fees.

*By texting the word SDZOO to 1-833-490-0799 you agree to receive automated promotional messages with how to secure my deeper ticket discount and this agreement isn’t a condition of any purchase. Msg and data rates may apply. 2 msg/mo. Reply STOP to cancel. Read my full privacy policy.

Entrance to San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Request my PRomo Code)

Once a conservation facility closed to the public, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido is home to more than 2,600 wild and endangered animals. It is also the largest veterinary hospital in the world. Many conservation programs still take place here, funded partly by visitors, including an endangered species breeding program that has introduced many animals back into the wild. You can learn more about creatures from Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, and North and South America without paying full price by grabbing your discounted San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets ahead of time and going straight to the gate. Check for unpublished deeper savings on tickets through my partnership with aRes Travel, an authorized San Diego Zoo Safari Park ticket seller.

*By texting the word SAFARI to 1-833-490-0799 you agree to receive automated promotional messages with how to secure my deeper ticket discount and this agreement isn’t a condition of any purchase. Msg and data rates may apply. 2 msg/mo. Reply STOP to cancel. Read my full privacy policy.

A family walks into the entrance of LEGOLAND California theme park.

LEGOLAND California

LEGOLAND® California caters to kids 2-12 but is truly fun for the whole family. Enjoy more than 60 rides (including the thrilling Dragon Coaster), attractions, and shows plus amazingly detailed cities built entirely out of millions of LEGO bricks. There’s also LEGOLAND Water Park — the perfect place to cool off on warmer summer days — and SEA LIFE Aquarium at the park entrance. If you are a LEGO enthusiast (or there’s one in your family), you’ll definitely want to plan for a two-day trip. Finding discounted tickets to LEGOLAND California is easy with my link, and you’ll score even bigger savings when you enjoy a two-day visit.

Tip: Check days and hours of operation, as the water park and theme park have seasonal hours.

A list of the best SeaWorld San Diego rides for all ages from toddlers to teens (and even adults will love them, too).

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is one of the city’s coolest attractions and a favorite among kids, who love animal shows. This theme park also has beautiful aquariums, thrilling rides for the whole family, and a great Rescue Jr. area for younger kids. We have lots of advice on buying discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets but you need to compare to find the best price. At aRes Travel, use promo code WINTER.

Mickey Mouse waves to the crowd at Disneyland.

Disneyland California

You may have magical memories of visiting Disneyland as a child. When you look at the price of admission for a family today, you might feel a little of that magic drain away. Again, getting cheaper California theme park tickets is possible just by planning ahead. When you get discount Disneyland tickets, you have more in your pocket for souvenirs and famous snacks. Use promo code SAVE5 on non-promotional 2-day and longer tickets.

Find discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets for your Harry Potter fan.

Universal Studios Hollywood (POPULAR)

Thrilling rides, everything Harry Potter, and the famous Studio Tour await you at this California theme park just for people who love movies. Here is where you can experience a whole lot of Hollywood magic, whether you’re a super fan of The Walking Dead or the Fast and the Furious franchise. We sell A LOT of Universal Studios Hollywood tickets because this price is the best.

Knott's Berry Farm Silver Bullet Roller Coaster

Knotts Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm, Southern California’s oldest theme park, began as a tiny ghost town built in the 1940s designed to entertain guests waiting for tables at the farm’s chicken dinner restaurant. More and more attractions were added over the years until it grew into the theme park it is today. Grab discount Knott’s Berry Farm tickets before your trip. The iconic Ghost Town is absolutely worth a visit, the rides and roller coasters are a blast, and there’s fun for all ages here. I grew up going to this park!

*By texting the word KNOTTS to 1-833-490-0799 you agree to receive automated promotional messages with how to secure my deeper ticket discount, and this agreement isn’t a condition of any purchase. Msg and data rates may apply. 2 msg/mo. Reply STOP to cancel. Read my full privacy policy.

A Six Flags Magic Mountain roller coaster on a track.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia is an absolutely huge theme park featuring nineteen world-class roller coasters — the biggest collection of coasters in one place anywhere in the world — and over one hundred rides, games, and attractions for the entire family. Do you crave excitement? One of the roller coasters you’ll find here is the tallest and the longest stand-up coaster anywhere, and each of the park’s other coasters offer just as many thrills. While tickets already cost less than a day out at Disney, it only makes sense to look for discount tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

SAVE NOW

Should You Buy a Sightseeing Pass?


Go City

If you plan to visit multiple attractions in San Diego or Los Angeles, a Go City pass is a must-have for savings. You can choose between single-day or multi-day all-inclusive passes or explorer passes that get you into only the attractions that you’re most excited to enjoy.

Go City passes will save you up to 50% off gate prices as you visit all the attractions you want for one low price. And as a bonus, pass holders often go straight to the gate and skip the ticket booth.

The Go City San Diego pass includes all the major San Diego theme parks on this page and most of the museums and tours (and even the option to add some Los Angeles attractions). The Go City Los Angeles pass can include Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Knott’s Berry Farm, and much more. Go City San Francisco includes major museums, tours, and more.

  • Go City San Diego: Promo code GOSDO5LJM saves an extra 5% off (applies on top of sale prices).
  • Go City Los Angeles: Promo code GOLA5LJM saves an extra 5% off (applies on top of sale prices).

CityPASS

CityPASS is a more simplified sightseeing pass. In San Diego, you need to be going to LEGOLAND California or SeaWorld San Diego or both to get the value out of it (if you aren’t going to either park, buy individual tickets or consider Go City).

Then, you can select three other included attractions on top of one or both of the major theme parks.

The San Francisco CityPASS is significantly less expensive because it doesn’t have major theme parks. But it does have popular things to do like SF Zoo, Exploratorium and more so is definitely worth a look

Note: There is a Southern California CityPASS, but I’m not a huge fan of it because the way it’s sold these days is similar to just building discounted tickets individually.

In case you missed it — Traveling with little ones? Even better! Admission for kids ages three and under at most California theme parks is already free. With discount theme park tickets, you’ll have more to spend on luxury hotels, souvenirs, or restaurants. No one wants to pay more than they have to!


Theme Parks Outside of California


Cedar Fair Parks

We have unusually good prices at these parks, but you have to request the details.

Texas Theme Parks
  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels (coming soon)
  • Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston (coming soon)
Florida Theme Parks
LEGOLAND

Use promo code LEGO.