Orange County.  The heart of Southern California.  The center of all the action.  And it’s only moments away from LA and SD.  No matter who you’re traveling with this winter, SoCal is the place to be.

LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA

1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. 760-918-5346. www.legolandca.com. www.sealifeus.com.

Got little ones looking for some awesome hands-on play time?  In OC, you have all of SoCal at your fingertips.  Zip on south for the day to Carlsbad, home of LEGOLAND California.  LEGOLAND will transport you into 1920s Egypt in the new Land of Adventure, featuring four hot attractions.  And this past summer, SEA LIFE LEGOLAND California Resort opened its doors

adjacent to LEGOLAND California.  Adults and kids alike will marvel at this unique, interactive aquarium experience.

DISNEYLAND RESORT

1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. 714-781-4565. www.disneyland.com.

You can’t bring the kids to SoCal without taking them to the happiest place on Earth.  In the center of Anaheim, you’ll find the Disneyland Resort.  From Disneyland, to Downtown Disney, to Disney’s California Adventure, this family favorite is bigger and better than ever.  Want to celebrate the holidays at Disneyland?  The Resort will be a winter wonderland through January 4.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD

100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 800-UNIVERSAL. 818-622-4455. www.universalstudioshollywood.com. www.citywalkhollywood.com.

Traveling with tweens and teens itchin’ to scope the SoCal they’ve seen on the big screen?  If they want Hollywood, take them to the Entertainment Capital of LA: Universal Studios Hollywood.  They can spend a couple of hours (or all day) cruising Universal.  At the theme park, they’ll feel the heat on Jurassic Park: The Ride, the 2009 Studio Tour, or The Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride.  What’s more, now they can also experience the newest attraction, The Simpsons.  And if they want a ton of hip places to eat, rock and shop, then send them to Universal CityWalk, where LA comes to play.

SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego. 800-25-SHAMU. www.seaworldsandiego.com.

Searching for a day-long getaway for the whole family?  Search no farther than SeaWorld San Diego.  Touch a dolphin.  Count the teeth on a shark.  Pet a slippery stingray.  And visit Sesame Street Bay of Play, SeaWorld’s whimsical new play area for kids with three family-friendly rides, Sesame Street character meet and greets, and photo opportunities.  Plus, stop by SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic Interaction and make some seriously cool new friends.

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM RESORT

8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. 714-220-5200. www.knotts.com.

Whatever you do, don’t miss spending a day here in the OC’s Buena Park at Knott’s Berry Farm Resort.  The coolest thing about this place?  Knott’s Berry Farm will make your whole family smile.  The little ones will love Camp Snoopy.  And for the big kids, Knott’s is on a mission to deliver first-class thrills.  Check out the latest coaster, Pony Express – The Ride, promising a horseback relay at speeds never imagined in the Old West.

SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN

26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia. 661-255-4111. www.sixflags.com.

If it’s the extreme scene your teens want, LA’s Six Flags Magic Mountain is where to find it.  Keep ‘em screaming all day long with the new X2, the world’s only 5th dimensional roller coaster, Tatsu, the tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster, Scream, SoCal’s first floorless coaster, Déjà Vu, a looping, boomerang coaster, Goliath, the giant among coasters, Superman

The Escape, Batman The Ride, The Riddler’s Revenge and many more.

Wherever your travels take you, make sure you keep your home base here in OC.  And for extra savings, check out CityPass at www.citypass.com or call 707-256-0490.