California's Great America

California's Great America is a major amusement park located in Santa Clara, California, within the San Francisco Bay Area. Opened in 1976 as part of a chain developed by the Marriott Corporation, the park has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair since 2006. It features a diverse collection of roller coasters, flat rides, and water attractions, alongside seasonal events and live entertainment, making it a prominent destination in Northern California.

History

The park debuted in 1976 as **Marriott's Great America**, one of two identical parks built by the Marriott Corporation, with its sibling located in Gurnee, Illinois, which later became Six Flags Great America. In 1984, the property was sold to the City of Santa Clara, which then leased it to the Kings Entertainment Company (KECO), leading to a renaming. The park was subsequently acquired by Paramount Communications in 1992, rebranding as **Paramount's Great America** and incorporating themes from properties like Star Trek and Days of Thunder. Following the merger of Viacom and CBS Corporation, the park was sold to Cedar Fair in 2006, receiving its current name. Throughout its history, the park has undergone significant expansions, including the addition of the Boomerang Bay water park, and has faced periodic discussions regarding the long-term future of its valuable land in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Rides and attractions

The park is renowned for its thrilling roller coaster lineup, which includes **Gold Striker**, a wooden coaster that held the title of tallest and fastest in Northern California upon its 2013 debut, and **RailBlazer**, a single-rail coaster from Rocky Mountain Construction. Other notable coasters are **Flight Deck**, an inverted coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard, and **Patriot**, a floorless coaster conversion from a stand-up model originally designed by Intamin. The **Drop Tower: Scream Zone** stands as a towering drop ride, while classic attractions like the **Columbia Carousel** and the **H.M.B. Endeavour** replica ship offer family-friendly experiences. The adjacent **Boomerang Bay** water park features slides such as **Barracuda Blaster** and the wave pool **Great Barrier Reef**. The **Celebration Plaza** area serves as a central hub for live shows and seasonal festivities.

Events and entertainment

Seasonal programming forms a core part of the park's identity, highlighted by **WinterFest**, a holiday transformation with millions of lights, festive shows, and seasonal food offerings. The **Great America Halloween Haunt** is a major autumn event featuring haunted mazes, scare zones, and live entertainment. During the summer, the park hosts concerts and dance parties in **Celebration Plaza**, often tied to celebrations like the **Fourth of July**. Special performances have included stunt shows inspired by the **Hollywood Stunt Driver** franchise and ice skating productions. These events are complemented by annual passholder preview nights and culinary festivals that showcase the park's extensive food and beverage operations.

Park information

Located at the intersection of Great America Parkway and Tasman Drive, the park is easily accessible from major freeways like Interstate 101 and Interstate 880, and is adjacent to the **Levi's Stadium** home of the San Francisco 49ers. It operates on a seasonal schedule, typically from March through December, with daily operation in summer and select days during spring and fall. The park offers various admission options, including single-day tickets, season passes valid across the Cedar Fair chain, and premium add-ons like **Fast Lane** access. Guest services include rental facilities for strollers and wheelchairs, and the park maintains a policy allowing outside food for dietary needs.

In popular culture

The park's distinctive landmarks and rides have appeared in several films and television productions, leveraging its San Francisco Bay Area location. It was notably featured in the 1987 film **The Garbage Pail Kids Movie** and has served as a filming site for episodes of the television series **Full House**. The former **Triple Play** attraction appeared in the music video for the song "**Smooth Up In Ya**" by the band **BulletBoys**. Furthermore, the park's association with **Paramount Pictures** during the 1990s and 2000s led to themed areas and rides based on major film franchises, embedding it within the broader landscape of American pop culture.

Category:Amusement parks in California Category:Tourist attractions in Santa Clara County, California Category:Cedar Fair