Having six distinct theme parks within easy driving distance is a mixed blessing. The downside is having too many choices. This discussion assumes the need for roller coasters requires that Magic Mountain is one of your destinations.

So, you've chosen to spend some of your vacation time in North L.A. County experiencing the many thrilling rides and coasters offered at Six Flags, didn't you? Perhaps your plan is to devote a few days there and take in the nearby water park of Hurricane Harbor and check out a few more southern California destinations.

Spending a couple of nights close by the park is often a good decision. You should remember that it takes about 40 minutes traveling north to get from downtown Los Angeles to Magic Mountain hotels and it is further still from the amusement parks of Orange County.

Some of the convenient hotels near Six Flags have a shuttle service that you may take advantage of and this will save you from paying to park. When choosing a hotel, make sure they have breakfast, and be sure that you take advantage of this before going to Six Flags. Then a light snack inside the park for lunch will help on the budget as well.

When choosing a hotel, pick one that is as close to Magic Mountain as possible, and you can take the kids back for a break during the heat of the day. Nap time might be in order for the babies and older brothers and sisters can enjoy the swimming pool at the hotel. When rested and cooled off, you can find a good dinner somewhere nearby and then go back and enjoy yourself when the sun has gone down. Check the hours and make certain of the closing time.

If this vacation is going to include more than just Six Flags, you may decide it's a good idea to plan your hotel location strategically to keep from driving so far. Plans for visiting Universal Studios or Disneyland as part of the trip may make you decide to see Six Flags Magic Mountain at the outset of the trip. That way you can satisfy the roller coaster fans and they will be prepared to settle down and enjoy the other parks that won't offer the same number of thrill rides.

Now keep in mind that Knott's Berry Farm is the place for some exhilarating rides as well. You can stay a night in Valencia near Magic Mountain prior to the day you spend at Knott's. If spending a half-day on the second day over in Hurricane Harbor is an option, afterwards you will want to quickly get going towards San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles on I-5. If possible passing through the heart of Los Angeles by 2 or maybe 2:40 p.m. will get you past the traffic when rush hour hits (even though, the world will not end if you must deal with a little traffic).

You aren't going to want to spend time driving from Orange County to Valencia every day. Now, if you plan to limit your time to the downtown area of L.A. or Hollywood you could quite easily stay in Valencia the entire time. The trip from Six Flags Magic Mountain if you are heading to San Diego is just about 3 hours if traffic has not gotten not too bad. So if the vacation includes San Diego, you'll definitely want to complete your time around Magic Mountain and then relocate down south.