Photo courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm
Published July 27, 2019
Last updated: November 27, 2023
With some of the best theme parks in the country, the region offers thrill-seekers a lot of options. Here’s a guide to top scream-worthy rides.
In Southern California, every day is the perfect time to ride a roller coaster or two or three. We took a spin on our favorite coasters at popular Southern California theme parks. Here’s a taste of what you'll experience—if you dare.
Knott's Berry Farm has 10 roller coasters, from the gentle rides to adrenaline-pumping speedsters, three of which we review here. To cut wait times, buy a Fast Lane wristband, which are available when purchased with admission.
Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
Top speed: 56 mph
Thrill factor: This wild ride is one of the longest, fastest, and tallest wooden roller coasters on the West Coast. Although the rickety feeling of the coaster and its two big drops might make some riders uneasy, it has no inversions or loops.
Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
Top speed: 57 mph
Thrill factor: Knott’s Berry Farm’s newest coaster (it was unveiled in May 2018), HangTime is a must for thrill-seekers, with five inversions and a 96-degree vertical drop. Best (or worst) of all, the coaster keeps you suspended for a few seconds right before the big drop to heighten the anxiety.
Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
Top speed: 55 mph
Thrill factor: On Silver Bullet, riders will spiral, corkscrew, fly into a cobra roll, and experience overbanked curves as they find themselves upside down six times including the giant vertical loop of 105 feet. Silver Bullet’s 3,125 feet of track snakes in and around itself, high above a reflecting lake, providing incredible views of Knott’s throughout the ride.
With 20 roller coasters spread throughout Six Flags Magic Mountain—many on hills you may need to climb to get to the ride—you’ll want to wear your comfiest walking shoes. To cut wait times, purchase a Flash Pass.
Photo courtesy of Six Flags Theme Park
Top speed: 58 mph
Thrill factor: Wood and steel combine to create this hybrid coaster, one of the longest in the world. You’ll experience unrelenting rolls and spirals that'll leave you breathless.
Photo courtesy of Six Flags Theme Park
Top speed: 62 mph
Thrill factor: Ready to feel like you’re flying? You’ll hang facing toward the ground, occasionally going upside down. This coaster has 3,602 feet of twisted steel track with dips, corkscrews, and a 124-foot-tall pretzel loop.
Photo courtesy of Six Flags Theme Park
Top speed: 76 mph
Thrill factor: At 200 feet in the air, this coaster has 360-degree rotating seats, making face-down drops terrifying. Music and sound effects heighten your experience, along with dives, flips, twists, and half loops that suddenly stop midway and become drops.
The Disneyland Resort has an array of thrill rides that get your heart pounding. To cut wait times, consider purchasing the Genie+ Service via the app of same name and get Lightning Lane passes to save time. Adult park admission varies by season.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks
Top speed: 28 mph
Thrill factor: This Disneyland coaster zooms through a dark, enclosed room and sends riders hurtling through a star field in outer space, generating strong g-forces on tight turns.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks
Top speed: 35 mph
Thrill factor: At this Disneyland attraction, riders careen on a cursed train ride, peel under a waterfall, dodge a falling boulder, and drop into desert canyons.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks
Top speed: 55 mph
Thrill factor: This steel-frame coaster (formerly California Screamin') built to resemble a wood one has more than a mile of track, making it one of the longest steel coasters in the world. Riders launch from 0 to 55 mph in 4 seconds, with loops and tight turns. The Disney California Adventure ride is themed to the Incredibles movies, with enclosed tunnels and special effects.
