Aquarium of the Pacific One of the largest aquariums in the country. Shark Lagoon (you can pet them!), Lorikeet Forest (you can feed them!), stunningly beautiful sea jellies. Holiday events include New Year’s Eve Family Sleepover. Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m. $19.95; $16.95 seniors, $11.95 children 3–11. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, 562.590.3100. Map north of A1

Balboa Fun Zone The beloved zone is shrinking. Remaining rides include Ferris wheel and carousel. Harbor cruises. Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. till 10 p.m. No entrance fee; pay per ride. 600 E. Bay Ave., Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, 949.673.0408. Map M15

Boomers Family entertainment centers feature bumper boats, batting cages, go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag. Open daily. Call for hours. 16800 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley, 714.842.1111; 3405 Michelson Drive, Irvine, 949.559.8341. Maps J10, L9, K14

Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari Dolphin- and whale-watching excursions aboard catamaran. 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. $35–$45. Charters available. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 949.488.2828. Map J16

Disneyland Mickey Mouse’s theme park. Updated Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain attractions. Through Jan. 2: Believe ... in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular, Haunted Mansion Holiday, It’s a Small World Holiday. Call for hours. Admission (includes all rides and attractions): $49–$59, under 2 free. 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714.781.4565. Map I10

Disney’s California Adventure Soaring Over California, A Bug’s Land, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Through Jan. 2: Santa’s Beach Blast. Call for hours. Admission (includes rides and attractions): $49–$59. 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, 714.781.4565. Map I10

Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy 1,200-acre wilderness reserve; public access during special events. Upcoming: nature walks, tarantula search, astronomy night. Call for schedule. Rancho Mission Viejo, 28672 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.9778. Map east of F6

Downtown Disney Twenty–acre pedestrian promenade adjacent to Disney parks offers dining, shopping, cinema multiplex and several nightlife venues including House of Blues. Floor-to-ceiling TVs at ESPN Zone show all sports all the time. Non-gated, free admission. 1510–1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.781.4565. Map I10

Dromo One Race custom 9-horsepower engine carts on a 10-turn indoor speed track. Racing suit, helmet, briefing session included. $25–$20. Call for hours, reservations. 1431 N. Main St., Orange, 714.744.4779. Map G13

Environmental Nature Center Intimate center offers 14 California native plant habitats and seasonal butterfly garden. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. until 3 p.m. Free. 1601 16th St., Newport Beach, 949.645.8489. Map M13

Knott’s Berry Farm More than 165 rides and attractions include Silver Bullet coaster, Supreme Scream and GhostRider. Call for park hours. $31.95–$39.95, $14.95 children 3–11 and seniors, under 3 free. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. Map G8

Legoland California Theme park features more than 50 rides, shows, attractions including Miniland USA and new Pirate Shores. Dec. 21–30: Holiday Block Party; Dec. 31: Kids’ New Year’s Eve. Call for regular park hours. $57 adult, $44 children (3–12) and seniors, under 2 free. One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, 760.918.LEGO. Map south of F6

Mission San Juan Capistrano Jewel of the California missions (1776). Daily 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. $5-$7, under 3 free. Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300. Map I17

Ocean Institute Live presentations aboard the tall ship Pilgrim, docked in Dana Point Harbor; tide pool sessions; oceanographic cruises aboard explorer vessel. $4–$6, under 2 free. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274. Map J16

Orange County Zoo Charming, rustic zoo features plants and animals from Southwestern U.S. Daily 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. $2, under 2 free. Parking $3 weekdays, $5 weekends. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.973.6847. Map C5

Pacific Marine Mammal Center Sick and injured sea mammals nursed to health for release back to the sea. The pups are fun to watch. Donation. 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3050. Map G15

Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Exhibits focus on Nixon’s life and career. Presidential helicopter has permanently landed. Docent-guided tours of gardens on Saturdays. Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $3.75–$9.95, under 6 free. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.993.5075. Map A4

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum “Odditorium” of the bizarre. Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. $7.95–$12.95. 7850 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.522.7045. Map G8

Rockreation Get vertical at indoor sport-climbing facility; instruction at all levels. Call for hours. 1300 Logan Ave., Costa Mesa, 714.556.ROCK. Map J12

Santa Ana Zoo Modest, idyllic zoo. Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3–$6, under 3 free. 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, 714.835.7484. Map H14

SeaWorld Home of Shamu features marine themed attractions, thrill rides such as Journey to Atlantis, Shipwreck Rapids. $54, $44 children (ages 3–9), 2 and under free. Call for hours, combo rates. Open daily. 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, 800.25-SHAMU. Map south of F6

Sherman Library and Gardens Ten gardens support botanical collection. Daily 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, children 12–16 $1, under 12 free. Mondays free. 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261. Map M16

Universal Studios Hollywood Behind-the-scenes tour of world’s biggest motion picture/TV studio. Attractions include Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride, Shrek 4–D, trolley tour of sets including Psycho and Back to the Future. VIP Experience is private tour through prop warehouse, working movie sets, sound stages. Call for hours. $59, $49 children under 48 in. tall, under 3 free. VIP Experience, $149 per person. 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 818.622.3801. Map north of A1