Anaheim

ANAHEIM -- The principal attraction of this suburb south of Los Angeles (on I-5) is that remarkable entertainment machine, Disneyland. Even adults will delight in this theme park, and there's now an element of nostalgia for many parents -- they first went there when they were children. Be sure to ride Splash Mountain, a wild log-flume ride that goes over a 2-ft/16-m waterfall into a briar-filled pond. Another big hit is Star Tours, an outer-space flight simulation created by George Lucas and his Industrial Light and Magic team. It is a thrillingly (and hilariously) realistic ride. Younger kids will enjoy playing with Roger Rabbit at Mickey's Toon Town, a cartoon town you can really touch. But don't forget Space Mountain (a roller coaster in the dark!), the Haunted Mansion (more funny than scary), Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Eo and, of course, the Matterhorn. Most of the older "low-tech" rides have withstood the test of time and are still quite enjoyable. See and ride everything you can (with the possible exception of It's a Small World, a remnant of the 1964 World's Fair that is the only Disney attraction to set our teeth on edge. Children, however, seem to love it.) If at all conceivable, visit the park during a winter weekday or weeknight -- there are less special events, it closes earlier and the weather may not be great, but you'll be apt to get on many more rides (you'll walk quickly along miles of clear crowd-control rails that are crowded with people during the summer and on weekends). Or you might contemplate a travel package that allows you to enter the park before its customary opening time, have breakfast with a few celebrated Disney characters and hit the rides and attractions before the crowds stream in. If you have time, think about other area attractions, like Knott's Berry Farm (a longstanding theme park with an Old West background), the Wax Museum, Medieval Times (dinner and a joust) or a California Angels baseball game. Or, for something entirely distinct, there's the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in nearby Yorba Linda, with the president's papers, a film, exhibits and gifts from foreign leaders. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is in Simi Valley (north of L.A.). The focal point is on the lives and accomplishments of the 40th President and his First Lady.