The animal theme park now known as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom previously operated as Marine World/Africa USA in Redwood Shores, California. The park was named Marine World when it first opened in 1968 before merging with the failing land-animal park called Africa USA in 1972. In 1986, the park relocated to Vallejo, California. This article documents the park's history during its time in Redwood Shores.
There were two successive Africa U.S.A. parks in California, both associated with animal trainer Ralph Helfer. The first Africa U.S.A. in California was created in 1962 as a 600-acre (240-hectare) affection training compound by Ralph and Toni Helfer. It was located in Soledad Canyon near Palmdale, north of Los Angeles.[1]
Ivan Tors first discovered Clarence, the cross-eyed lion, at Africa, U.S.A. and it inspired him to create the film Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion (1965) and the spin-off television series Daktari, which was partly shot on location there. Judy the chimp, another star of the show, was also owned by Ralph Helfer.
A few other shows such as Cowboy in Africa, Gentle Ben,[citation needed] as well as an episode of Star Trek ("Shore Leave") were also shot there. Helfer provided both the location and the animals.
In January 1969, Africa U.S.A. was struck by a powerful rainstorm over Soledad Canyon. The resulting severe flooding and mudslides in the canyons destroyed the compound, but only nine of Helfer's 1,500 animals had drowned.
The property was located at 8237 Soledad Canyon Road, and by the mid-2000s had become the Robin's Nest campground.[2] Heavily damaged by the Sand Fire (2016), the property was sold on June 29, 2018 to the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority with the assistance of The Trust for Public Land, and is currently being restored to its natural condition in preparation for reopening to the public.[3]