9 Best Things To Do In Santa Clarita, California

things to do in santa clarita california
Andreia
Andreia 
Updated
| 5 min read

Santa Clarita is a great place to spend some time away if you love to hike and explore but also if you’re into something more radical: there are two great amusement parks where you can have the best time of your life. There are stunning spots of exquisite natural beauty that you won’t want to leave. There are family-friendly places where you can enjoy a day with your children. Santa Clarita has plenty of great options for any kind of traveler and we’ve made a list of suggestions so you know what you can expect from this city. Keep reading to learn the best things to do in Santa Clarita.

1. Six Flags Magic Mountain: For the adrenaline junkies

Batman The Ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain 08
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jeremy Thompson used under CC BY 2.0

Santa Clarita really does have something for everyone. This place is for the adrenaline junkies: Six Flags Magic Mountain is a giant theme park located in Valencia, in the outbounds of Santa Clarita. It’s the heaven of roller coasters: there’s not one, not two, but 19 roller coasters and you probably shouldn’t ride every single one of them but you’re free to do whatever you want here! There are so many choices of rides from the most extreme roller coasters to boat rides, this theme park will not allow you to be bored. It is definitely a must for the thrill seekers!

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, 91355 Valencia, CA, USA

Website: Six Flags Magic Mountain

Opening Times: click here

Prices: from 84.99 USD

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2. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: For the best swimmers

Posted by Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, 21 July 2017

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is a water park packed with incredible rides and slides that will give you that rush you love to feel. If you’re more the relaxing type but you’re visiting the park with people who are crazy swimmers, this park also has something for you: little cabanas where you can enjoy the sun and even read a book while waiting for the others to get tired. But we’re afraid that won’t happen so easily! This park is a dream for those who love huge curling slides and the adrenaline of diving into the water after screaming your lungs out. If you’re part of the group, add Hurricane Harbor to your itinerary!

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Address: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, 91355 Valencia, CA

Website: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Opening Times: click here

Prices: from 32.99 USD

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3. Gibbon Conservation Center: For the animal lovers

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Gibbon Conservation Center is not a zoo; it’s much better than a zoo because it is a sanctuary for an endangered species of a very sweet animal: the gibbon. This conservation center is the only animal sanctuary in the world to house and breed all four species of gibbons and is definitely a great place to visit if you’re an animal lover. You won’t be taking part in any kind of animal cruelty by visiting this conservation center and you’ll be helping protect a very rare species. You’ll get to see gibbons up close and fall in love with their kind eyes and tiny hands. You’ll have a lovely time!

Gibbon Conservation Center

Address: 19100 Esguerra Rd, 91390 Santa Clarita, CA, USA

Website: Gibbon Conservation Center

Opening Times: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to noon

Prices: from 15 USD

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4. The Gentle Barn: For both children and adults

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


The Gentle Barn’s main objective is to teach people “kindness and compassion to animals, each other and our planet.” They take their motto very seriously and you really are able to show the animals kindness because you get to hug them, pet them and feed them. This is the best place to visit with your children but if you’re an animal lover, you’ll love this farm. You’ll spend a lovely day here surrounded by nature and animals. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

The Gentle Barn

Address: 15825 Sierra Hwy, 91390 Santa Clarita, CA

Website: The Gentle Barn

Opening Days: click here

Prices: from 20 USD

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5. Mountasia Family Fun Center: For the whole family

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Santa Clarita's choice for family fun since 1995!

Posted by Mountasia Family Fun Center on Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Mountasia Family Fun Center offers entertainment and fun activities for the whole family. If you’re visiting Santa Clarita on a family holiday, you should definitely consider visiting this place. There are indoor activities ranging from wall climbing to all sorts of interactive games, and outdoor activities starting at fun kart rides and ending in a mini golf competition. Don’t you think your kids are going to love this?

Mountasia Family Fun Center

Address: 21516 Golden Triangle Road, 91350 Santa Clarita, CA

Website: Mountasia Family Fun Center

Opening Times: click here

Prices: from 24.99 USD

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6. St. Francis Dam-Ruins of Collapsed Dam: For the hikers

St. Francis Dam post collapse
Source: Pony Horton

St. Francis Dam used to be a curved gravity dam, built to create a storage reservoir for Los Angeles. However, in 1928, the dam tragically failed and resulted in a huge flood that took the lives of hundreds of people. The collapse of St. Francis Dam is considered to be one of the worst American civil engineering disasters of the past century and is up until today the second greatest loss of life in California’s history. Today, you can visit this historical site after a long hike, which will not be so hard if you’re an experienced hiker. The ruins are hard to find and there’s not really much to see; nevertheless, you will be standing on a place that altered the region in the worst way possible. If you can, join one of the walking tours to the ruins and learn more about its history.

St. Francis Dam-Ruins of Collapsed Dam

Address: 34°32′49″N 118°30′45″W

Website: St. Francis Dam-Ruins of Collapsed Dam

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7. Castaic Lake: For the ones who are fond of natural beauty

things to do in santa clarita california | castaic lake: for the ones who are fond of natural beauty
Source: instagram

If you don’t care too much about ruins but can appreciate natural beauty at its best, Castaic Lake is waiting for you. This stunning lake provides fresh water to the local communities and is located in a stunning area where you can relax and admire its overwhelming beauty. You can hire a boat and set up for camping at the recreation area for a reasonable fee. This is a place you can’t miss if you really love nature and are looking forward to having a relaxing time in Santa Clarita’s surroundings.

Castaic Lake

Address: 34.5247°N 118.5876°W

Website: Castaic Lake

Recreation Area Opening Times: click here

Prices: Camping: from 20 USD; Boat Hiring: from 13 USD

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8. Placerita Canyon Nature Center: For the explorers


Placerita Canyon is an east-west running canyon shaded by beautiful trees and populated by diverse animal species. You can visit the historic “Oak of the Golden Dream,” the site of California’s original gold discovery of 1842. This place is a harmonious combination of history and nature, with interesting landmarks to admire and beautiful trails to explore. If you’re up to it, you can take a long hike and get to see a waterfall and reach the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. This park is a conservation site and offers animal presentations and self-guided educational trails so you can learn more about the local fauna and flora. Don’t forget to visit it!

Placerita Canyon Nature Center

Address: 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, 91321 Newhall, CA

Website: Placerita Canyon Nature Center

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9. Michael D. Antonovich Open Space: For the seekers of the best view

Happy Sunday from the Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve! Any good tales from the trails this weekend?

Posted by L.A. Mountains on Sunday, 24 August 2014

Michael D. Antonovich Open Space occupies a relevant part of Santa Clarita’s woodlands. You can reach it from the East Canyon Trailhead, from the Newhall Pass Trailhead or from O'Melveny Park. Whichever way you choose, you’ll arrive at a stunning open space from where you’ll get an exceptional view of its natural surroundings. The landscape is breathtaking and absolutely unmissable if you love to get the best views and the best photographs. Definitely a must-see!

Michael D. Antonovich Open Space

Address: 23801 The Old Road, 91321 Newhall, CA, USA

Website: Michael D. Antonovich Open Space

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Santa Clarita: A gem in Los Angeles

Santa Clarita Valley
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chevy111 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Santa Clarita may be your best choice for a relaxing day-trip from Los Angeles but it definitely deserves your full attention as a potential holiday stay. There are so many different things to do, especially the kind of activities that are memorable and unique. Choose from visiting an animal sanctuary or a water park, a roller coaster ride or a hike through Santa Clarita’s gorgeous woodlands. You won’t be indifferent to this city and its amazing surroundings, and even if you’re visiting just to be on the set of ‘Santa Clarita Diet’, try to choose at least one of our suggestions and you’re guaranteed to have a great time!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Andreia developed an affinity for words from an early age. Firmly convinced that individuals are shaped by the stories they live and the journeys they undertake, she aspires to embark on as many...Read more

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