We are planning a graduation trip for April 11 2005 to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Can anyone help with accomodation suggestions, something close but nice (pool, room service etc). Also are there other attractions nearby or a beach? What airport do you fly into? We are planning on staying 4-5 days with our 18 and 10 year olds.

Be sure to check the park opening opening hours out of season. A few years back the park was only open at the weekends, if its easter the hours may be longer. The park is about an hour north of LA as I recall there were loads of the Days Inn, Courtyard Hotels dotted around the area of teh park

The Hilton Garden Inn Valencia is exactly what you're looking for. If you stay there, you can walk to the front gate and save yourself the $6-$8 parking fee.

The Best Western is a less expensive option, but it's a little further away, and room service? I don't think so!

You fly into Burbank or LAX; LAX is probably closer, but traffic is easier from Burbank.

Give yourself two days in Magic Mountain, and maybe half a day in Hurricane Harbor (on the same property). Beyond that, you may be literally sick of roller-coasters.

For your "other attractions", though not nearby, I'd take the kids to Santa Monica and/or Venice Beach.

Magic Mountain is up in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County. Depending on your home airport, you may have Burbank Airport as an option. LAX is more likely. Other options: Orange County, Long Beach and Ontario (this one is roughly 2 hours away by car-- use it if the airfares are super-low).

You're well inland, but you're less than an hour to Santa Monica. You're also less than an hour to basically any of the typical tourist attractions of the greater Los Angeles area.

Honestly, I wouldn't stay up in Valencia. I'd plan on making the trip up to Magic Mountain a morning-and-afternoon adventure, then stay somewhere else. Say, Santa Monica. Or Beverly Hills. Or Hermosa Beach. You do want to see something other than the amusement park and suburbs (which is all Valencia is, frankly), don't you?

Oh, and do as Walter suggests; check the park hours. I read graduation, thought June, and looked right past April.

By the way, Burbank Airport is considerably closer to Magic Mountain than LAX-- almost 20 miles.

In checking the Magic Mt. website, the hours 4/11 will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Although I've only passed by, the Hyatt Valencia is very nice, with many amenities.

From Valencia, you can drive less than an hour and a half to Santa Barbara. If the weather is good, the beach is great, bicyling, etc...check their visitor's website. From SB, you can head further north, with more to see.

thanks very much to all

Great suggestion for Santa Barbara, mpf. We just spent three days there and it was beautiful! Riding bikes along the ocean was great fun. Your kids will love SB.

Many nice beaches there with volleyball nets set up. ***kim***