Developed by SeaWorld in partnership with local real estate developers, Magic Mountain opened May 29, 1971 in Valencia, California. Featuring a world-record 20 coasters, Magic Mountain became part of the Six Flags chain in 1979 and typically is Six Flags' most-visited park.
Our recommendations below come from our ongoing survey of Theme Park Insider readers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Vote here to take part in our surveys and submit your picks for top attractions.
For younger riders, Six Flags Magic Mountain offers Canyon Blaster, an E&F Miler family coaster; Magic Flyer, a Bradley and Kaye little dipper; Road Runner Express, a Vekoma Junior Coaster; and Speedy Gonzales Hot Road Racers, a Zamperla family gravity coaster.
A "first-of-its-kind coaster in North America" from Vekoma is now under construction on the old Showcase Theater site. It is expected to open in 2026.
Non-coaster attractions at Six Flags Magic Mountain include Lux Luthor Drop of Doom, an Intamin drop ride on the side of the Superman tower (48 inch requirement), CraZanity, a 170-foot Zamperla Giant Discovery pendulum (52 inch requirement), Justice League Battle for Metropolis, an interactive dark ride (42 inch requirement), the Roaring Rapids river rapids ride (42 inch requirement), and the Bugs Bunny World children's area, as well as multiple other carnival rides.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is located in Valencia, California - in the Santa Clarita Valley - 35 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The park is closest to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), but you will find better nonstop access from more cities if you fly into Los Angeles International (LAX). Arriving at LAX means driving through the heart of LA traffic to get to Magic Mountain, however, so if you're just flying in for this park and not for other attractions in the LA area, strongly consider Burbank.
Get to the park shortly before its 10:30am opening time. Note that Magic Mountain is no longer open every day of the year and will be closed on many Mondays through Thursdays during the school year.
Do not expect all coasters to be open when you visit, and be prepared to endure single-train operations on several coasters. So a light crowd is not a guarantee of short wait times. But you can do all the open coasters on one day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Just watch the app for wait times and be prepared to wait.
To minimize those wait times, when the park opens, head first to X2, which has the longest average peak wait time in the park. Then target Tatsu and West Coast Racers before coming back toward the park entrance for Full Throttle. Those are, on average, the four longest wait times for coasters in the park.
After riding those, make your way back around the park, starting with Goliath and then proceeding to Twisted Colossus and then to Wonder Woman Flight of Courage. Pick up the other coasters and rides around the park as you wish.