Sacramento, Calif.: A Great Place to take the Kids

Let your little ones run loose all over William Land Park, south of downtown. This 166-acre playpen features a trio of fun attractions, starting with the Sacramento Zoo (916-264-5888). Next door, at Fairytale Town (916-264-5233), don't miss Wacky Water Day, July 17, when King Arthur will open his moat for a day of friendly water fighting. Dry your tot off and head over to Funderland (916-456-0115), a small-scale amusement park that houses such classics as the Tea Cups and the Dragon Coaster. Then go north a few miles and cool down at Waterworld USA (916-924-0556) with its 540,000-gallon wave pool (life jackets are available) and Cannonball Falls, two waterslides that end in a plunging six-foot drop.

Photography courtesy of Funderland

This article was first published in July 2004. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.