San Diego Wild Animal Park

Condor Ridge, opening May 27, will feature a number of habitats for a variety of critters, including the exhibit's namesake, the California Condor. The entrance to the area is through the Conifer Forest. A winding path will take you past a variety of displays. The first habitat, a pine forest, stars thick-billed parrots and Western greater roadrunners. A grassland habitat is home to Northern porcupines and aplomado falcons. The prairie ecosystem features black-footed ferrets and desert tortoises. An observation deck at the end of the trail looks at a rocky hillside that is home to a herd of desert big horn sheep. The condors, whose wingspan can reach 10 feet, perch nearby on boulders and cliffs inside a six-story aviary.Park information: The park is in the San Pasqual Valley. Take the Via Rancho Parkway exit off I-15 and follow the signs. Open daily at 9 a.m. Closing times vary according to the season. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission: $21.95 for adults; $14.95 for children 3 to 11; $19.75 for seniors 60 or older. Children two and under are admitted free. 1-760-747-8702; www.sandiegozoo.org.

Universal Studios Hollywood

City Walk has virtually doubled in size, and the Studio Tour trams have new monitors that show scenes from movies and TV shows that were filmed there. The videos also feature celebrity vignettes. On the back lot, you'll tour the world's biggest soundstage to see the techniques that are used to create an exterior scene indoors. But it's "Terminator 2: 3-D," which opened a year ago, that continues to be the park's mega hit. It is currently the park's most popular attraction.

Park information: Exit the Hollywood Freeway (101) at either Universal Center Drive or Lankershim Blvd. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Summer hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; non-summer hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $41 for 12 and older; $31 children 3-11; children under 3 are admitted free; $36 for seniors 60 or older. Parking is $7. 1-818-622-3801; www.universalstudios.com.

Knott's Berry Farm

This landmark park is celebrating its 50th birthday, which is dedicated to the legacy of "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz, who died in February. The Charlie Brown Speedway opened in early April. Part of Camp Snoopy, it features scaled-down stock cars for pint-size racers ages 3-11. The course has a 100-foot-long track. From April through Sept. 4, Camp Snoopy will be redecorated to become the Camp Snoopy Birthday Zone, headquarters for "Snoopy's Birthday Blast." Also opening this season: Soak City U.S.A., a 13-acre water adventure park with 21 water rides and attractions; and Perilous Plunge, billed as the steepest, tallest and wettest water ride on the planet. Guests board a 24-passenger boat that ascends a 121-foot tall lift before plummeting down a 115-foot water chute at a 75-degree angle.

Park information: Located 10 minutes from Disneyland at 8039 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park. Open daily except Christmas. Operating hours vary. Admission: $38 adults; $28 children 3-11; $28 seniors 60 or over. Through Sept. 4, kids 3-11 will receive free admission on their birthday. 1-714-220-5220; www.knotts.com.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Reinforcing its claim as the roller coaster capital, the park's new attraction is "Goliath," billed as a giant among giants. It has a number of breathtaking features including a 255-foot drop, a 120-foot underground tunnel known as the black hole and filled with smoke and speeds up to 85 mph. It has one spiral curve, one carousel curve and one high-speed curve. Its orange track looms 255 feet above the ground, making a distinct addition to the park's skyline. The ride begins when the train climbs 26 stories into the sky. But what goes up must come down. A near vertical 61-degree drop will get your adrenaline going. Goliath brings the park's roller coaster total to a baker's dozen.

Park information: The park is in Valencia, minutes north of Hollywood. Take the Magic Mountain Parkway exit off I-5. Open daily through Sept. 10, and on weekends and holidays during the rest of the year. Hours vary. Admission: $39.99 adults; $19.99 children under 48 inches tall and seniors 55 or older; children 2 and under are admitted free. 1-661-255-4100; www.sixflags.com.

San Diego Zoo

A new primate exhibit will be home to a colony that has been housed elsewhere at the zoo. Still making waves are the two giant pandas from China that are on a long-term loan and exhibited at the Great Panda Research Station presented by Pacific Bell Foundation. Presently, this is the only giant panda pair in the United States. Call 1-888-MY PANDA for exhibit times. The newest major exhibit to open is Ituri Forest, a re-creation of an African rain forest, which made its debut a year ago. Hippos swim underwater, forest buffaloes wallow in mud and monkeys leap overhead in the trees. Okapis, spotted-necked otters and Debrazza's guenons and spot-nosed guenons call this habitat home.

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Park information: Located in Balboa Park. Take I-5 to the Pershing Drive exit. Open daily. Summer hours, beginning June 26: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: $18 adults; $8 children 3-11; children 2 and under are admitted free. 1-619-234-3153; www.sandiegozoo.org.

Sea World San Diego

In late May, this park will enter the fourth dimension. A 4-D movie called "Pirates," written by Monty Python member Eric Idle and set on a remote Caribbean island. The 17-minute presentation takes place in the new Mission Bay Theater. Surprises from the "fourth dimension" include sprays of water and blasts of air.

Park information: Located at 500 Sea World Drive. Open daily. Hours vary. Admission: $34.95 adults; $26.95 children 3-11; free admission children under 3; parking: $6. 1-619-226-3901; www.seaworld.com.

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