Perhaps the most popular modern attraction in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara’s own California’s Great America amusement park has been entertaining visitors and residents to the area for more than 30 years. Featuring costumed characters, hair-raising roller coasters and other rides, and entertaining shows for adventurous park-goers, Great America has been a Santa Clara institution for many years.

What to Do and See

California’s Great America has rides and entertainment for children and adults alike and offers everything from entertainment and live shows to a water park and thrill rides such as the legendary Grizzly wooden roller coaster.

Thrill Rides – Great America is famous for its state of the art roller coasters and thrill rides and is constantly adding new additions to its adventuresome lineup. Whether you’re a purist and are looking for a ride on a classic wooden coaster like the Grizzly, or you’re looking for an innovative twist to roller coasters of old like the inverted Flight Deck coaster, Great America is sure to have something for you!

Family Fun – If you’ve got little ones in tow and are looking for family-friendly fun, Great America has an entire children’s area, known as KidZville, complete with pint-sized rides and games for them to enjoy. They’ve also got you covered with live shows, and a complete water park that the whole family can enjoy together!

Food Fun – With everything from carnival and fair snacks like funnel cakes and frozen lemonade to bring your memories back to life, to fresh seafood, burgers, and adult beverages to go along with them, Great America has redefined culinary expectations in an amusement park. Your dining options while in the park are truly unlimited, and there is something for every appetite.

California’s Great America Provides Easy Access

Located in Santa Clara, near public transportation and most of the South Bay’s major commute and freeway thoroughfares, Great America couldn’t be easier to get to. They provide plenty of parking at reasonable rates, and patrons are able to arrive via the VTA light rail or bus system easily and be delivered almost to the gates.

Directly adjacent to the park will soon be the new home of the San Francisco 49ers football team. Slated to open in 2015, the new stadium will bring with it additional dining and entertainment options within easy walking distance of Great America, along with a luxury hotel to serve the needs of all visitors to the area!

A Long Bay Area History

California’s Great America opened its doors to the public in 1976 as a part of the Marriott Corporation’s theme park division. Marriott’s Great America was the first amusement park of its kind in the Bay Area, and immediately began attracting visitors with its roller coasters and other thrill rides. After changing hands several times over the last 30+ years, the park is now owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, while the land itself is owned and administrated by the City of Santa Clara.