Family Fun Close to Home : Six Flags Magic Mountain has added a High Sierra attraction that mom and dad can enjoy with the kids.

The presidential campaign is but a memory, and George Bush is spending his days fishing the coast of Kennebunkport, but his family values have found a new home.

This is the summer when amusement parks are bending over backward to lure mom and dad and the brood.

Disneyland built Toon Town, with cartoon characters, rides and restaurants designed specifically for children to enjoy with their parents. Now Magic Mountain has answered the call with its High Sierra Territory.

Located near the entrance to the Valencia park, this 6.3-acre section features a similar style of attractions. The main ride, Yosemite Sam Sierra Falls, allows an adult to ride with one or two children, floating on a raft down 760 feet of twisting, watery green tubes.

“It’s not too fast and you don’t get too wet,” said Lori Martinez of Hawthorne, who rode with her son Matt, 6, and daughter Natalie, 3.

Kevin Popejoy took his daughter Jennifer, 7, who thought that it was the right speed to suit her tastes. “I’m a fast little girl,” she said.

Magic Mountain officials said they built the section after industry experts predicted that more families would be vacationing close to home this year.

Other attractions inside High Sierra Territory include:

* The Discovery Trail, where guests can walk through a maze of rock walls, complete with re-created fossils and educational information on the flora of the Sierra Nevadas.

* The Animal Star Theatre, which presents daily shows with exotic and regional fauna.

* The Golden Bear Theatre, which houses concerts and a daily cowboy stunt show.

* Bugs Bunny World, which encompasses a handful of kiddie rides such as miniature cars and a carousel.

* The Log Jammer, an existing attraction, has also been incorporated into the area. It is a fast, wet ride.

A 140-foot, man-made Sequoia tree stands at the center of the section, providing a towering landmark to accompany nearby roller coasters. There are also restaurants and a petting zoo.

High Sierra Territory is Magic Mountain’s first self-contained area. It is the first step in a plan to compartmentalize the entire park. Eventually, there will be nine themed sections, each built around an existing ride and each designed for an aspect of California, officials said.

The Viper roller coaster, for example, will become the centerpiece for a desert section. A Wild West town will be built around the Roaring Rapids ride.

Officials hope that such divisions will make it easier for guests to navigate the 260-acre grounds.

WHERE AND WHEN

* Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia.

* Hours: Opens at 10 a.m. Closing hours vary.

* Price: $26 general admission, $17 senior citizens, $15 children shorter than 48 inches. Free for children 2 years and under. Major credit cards accepted. Parking $5.

* Call: (818) 367-5965 or (805) 255-4111.