View source for California's Great America

{{Short description|Amusement park in Santa Clara, California}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Six Flags Great America]] in Gurnee, Illinois}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = California's Great America
| logo = California's Great America Logo.svg
| image = California's Great America 2.JPG
| caption =
| location = [[Santa Clara, California]]
| location3 = U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|37|23|45.4|N|121|58|20.1|W|display=title,inline}}
| mapframe = yes
| opening_date = {{start date|1976|3|20}}
| closing_date =
| previous_names = ''{{ubl|
* '''''Marriott's Great America'''''
* {{pad|0.2em}}(1976{{nbhyph}}84)
* '''''Great America'''''
* {{pad|0.2em}}(1985{{nbhyph}}92,&nbsp;2007)
* '''''Paramount's Great America'''''
* {{pad|0.2em}}(1993{{nbhyph}}2006)}}''<nowiki/>
| area = {{convert|112|acre}}
| season = April through October
| rides = 42 (as of 2024)
| coasters = 9
| water_rides = 2
| theme = Various
| owner = <!-- Prologis owns the land. Six Flags owns the park. -->[[Six Flags]]<!-- This parameter is about park ownership. -->
| general_manager = Barbara-Lea Granter
| status = Operating
| slogan = It's Amazing in Here, For the Fun of It
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.cagreatamerica.com}}
| public_transit = {{Unbulleted list
   | {{rail-interchange|us|amtrak}} {{rail-interchange|ace}} [[Santa Clara – Great America Station|Santa Clara – Great America]]
   | {{rail-interchange|santaclara}} {{rint|santaclara|green}} {{rint|santaclara|orange}} [[Great America (VTA)|Great America]]
   }}
}}

'''California's Great America''' is an {{convert|112|acre|adj=on}} [[amusement park]]<ref name="CedarFairPurchase-MercuryNews">{{cite news |last1=Vo |first1=Thy |title=Great America owner buys theme park property from Santa Clara for $150 million |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/03/28/great-america-amusement-park-buys-city-land-for-150-million/ |access-date=April 2, 2020 |work=Bay Area News Group |publisher=The Mercury News |date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> located in [[Santa Clara, California]], United States. Owned and operated by [[Six Flags|Six Flags Entertainment Corporation]], it originally opened in 1976 as one of two parks built by the [[Marriott Corporation]]. Great America features over 40 rides and attractions, with [[Gold Striker]] among its most notable, which has ranked as a top wooden roller coaster in the world in the annual Golden Ticket Awards publication from ''[[Amusement Today]]''. Other notable rides include [[RailBlazer]], a single-rail coaster from [[Rocky Mountain Construction]], and [[Flight Deck (California's Great America)|Flight Deck]], an inverted coaster from [[Bolliger & Mabillard]]. The park made appearances in the 1994 films ''[[Beverly Hills Cop III]]'' and ''[[Getting Even with Dad]]''.

Ownership of the park transitioned several times, beginning with the city of Santa Clara's acquisition from Marriott in 1985. It was then sold to [[Kings Entertainment Company]] in 1989, while Santa Clara retained ownership of the land. [[Paramount Parks]] acquired the park in 1992, followed by Cedar Fair in 2006. Santa Clara eventually sold the land occupied by the park to then-owner Cedar Fair in 2019, who then sold it to [[Prologis]] in 2022. Due to the subject of the sale, Six Flags (who merged with Cedar Fair in 2024), is required to close the park by June 30, 2028, unless Prologis extends Six Flags lease five years through 2033.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-28 |title=Great America's Land Sold to New Owners, It Will Close in Six Years or 'Up to 11 Years' |url=https://sfist.com/2022/06/28/great-americas-land-sold-to-new-owners-it-will-close-in-six-years-or-up-to-11-years/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=SFist - San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Potential June 30, 2028 closure">{{cite news |last1=Avalos |first1=George |title=Santa Clara's Great America theme park lease could be terminated in three years: new docs |url=https://www.siliconvalley.com/2025/01/07/south-bay-theme-park-great-america-tech-build-property-home-develop/ |access-date=January 26, 2025 |publisher=SiliconValley.com |date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==
=== 1976–1985: Marriott Corporation ===
The hotel and restaurant operator [[Marriott Corporation]] completed '''Marriott's Great America''' on the site of what had been a pear orchard<ref name=DS-7605/> and opened it to the public on March 20, 1976.<ref name=DS-1976>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19760320.2.88 |title=$50-Million Park Opens |date=March 20, 1976 |newspaper=Desert Sun |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Photos: A look back at 40 years of California's Great America |date=March 27, 2015 |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/2015/03/27/photos-a-look-back-at-40-years-of-californias-great-america/}}</ref> Admission was {{USD|7.95|1976|round=0}} for adults (12 and up) and {{USD|6.95|1976|round=0}} for children (4–11).<ref name=SCS-76/><ref name=DS-1976/> There were 1,500 employees.<ref name=DS-1976/>

Less than two months later, on May 29, the company opened a second Marriott's Great America&nbsp;– later known as [[Six Flags Great America]]&nbsp;– north of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] in [[Gurnee, Illinois]].<ref name=SCS-7608/><ref name="Six Flags purchase">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/27/business/marriott-to-sell-park-to-bally.html |title=Marriott to Sell Park to Bally |date=April 27, 1984 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref> [[Marriott's Great America (Maryland–Virginia)|A third park]] was initially planned for the [[Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area]],<ref name=SCS-7608/> but the idea was later abandoned after several failed attempts to sway local opposition.<ref name="3rd Great America">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19770819&id=j95NAAAAIBAJ&pg=5660,2451015 |title=Marriott's high-powered approach |last=Flattau |first=Edward |date=August 19, 1977 |work=The Free Lance-Star |access-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Great america.jpg|thumb|left|View of California's Great America from above]]
The park, though profitable, was still an earnings disappointment for Marriott, leading the company in 1983 to explore options to sell. An interested party, '''Caz Development Co.''', appraised the land value at US$800,000 to $1 million per {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=on}}. Marriott also involved the city of Santa Clara in negotiations, which was already leasing {{convert|55|acre}} of parking space for the amusement park. Fearing homebuilding on the land by Caz Development would lower home values of existing homeowners, the city council approved a $101 million purchasing agreement on January 31, 1984, by a 4–3 vote that also had to be approved by city residents. The citywide vote passed, approving the sale by a margin of 3 to 1. Caz Development then sued the city and Marriott in the [[Superior Court of Santa Clara County]] to block the transaction. The court nullified the sale, forcing the city to attempt to salvage the deal through negotiations with the other parties.

=== 1985–1992: City and Kings ===
Unable to broker a timely agreement, the city council voted 6–1 to scuttle the sale on February 5, 1985, though the city was still interested in owning the park. After Marriott refunded a $20 million down payment back to the city, negotiations were restarted. All parties were able to agree on a compromise, which was signed in marathon sessions taking place in early June 1985. The city acquired the park for $93.5 million from Marriott, which retained {{convert|20|acre}} from the sale for development. Caz Development settled and was allowed to build a hotel and office near the park, which the city renamed Great America.

[[Kings Entertainment Company]], who owned and operated other amusement parks, was hired in 1985 to manage Great America for the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1948&dat=19850620&id=KNZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=1152,5468771 |title=A New Start At Great America |date=June 20, 1985 |work=The Modesto Bee |access-date=July 10, 2012 |location=Modesto, CA}}</ref> In 1989, the city sold the park to Kings Entertainment, while retaining ownership of the land that the park occupied.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1992&dat=19890606&id=W5VcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5086,1057726 |title=Firm Acquires Big Theme Park |date=June 6, 1989 |work=Merced Sun-Star |access-date=July 10, 2012 |location=Merced, California}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kleiman |first1=Joe |title=Greening Great America |url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/greening-great-america/ |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=InPark Magazine |date=May 30, 2017}}</ref> In the agreement, the city would earn 5% of all revenue that exceeds $56 million.<ref>{{cite report |chapter-url=http://sireweb.santaclaraca.gov/sirepub/cache/2/f1jdhkshxwreeydwz3cao42o/53583206252021074412888.PDF#page=40 |title=Ground Lease with First Refusal Purchase Rights By and Between Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Clara, Lessor, and Kings Entertainment Company, Lessee (Instrument 10131592) |date=May 31, 1989 |page=6 |chapter=§304: Additional Rent {{!}} §305: Amount |quote=Lessee shall pay unto Lessor, for each Lease Year of the Term, Additional Rent equal to the sum of: (a) five percent (5%) of the Annual Gross Revenues for such Lease Year in excess of $56,000,000 up to $100,000,000; plus (b) seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the Annual Gross Revenues for such Lease Year in excess of $100,000,000; provided, however, that for the Lease Year ending December 31, 1989, the Additional Rent shall equal ten percent (10%) of the Annual Gross Revenues (for this purpose from January 1, 1989 through December 31, 1989) for such Lease Year in excess of $56,000,000.}}</ref>

=== 1992–2006: Paramount Parks ===
Three years later, Paramount Communications (formerly [[Gulf+Western]]), the owners of [[Paramount Pictures]], sought to join other entertainment companies as a theme park owner. The company acquired Kings Entertainment for $400 million on July 31, 1992, and created [[Paramount Parks]]. As part of the acquisition, Paramount purchased the parks owned by Kings: Great America, [[Kings Dominion]], [[Carowinds]], and a 20% stake in [[Canada's Wonderland]]; in addition, Paramount would acquire [[Kings Island]], which was operated by Kings for its owner, [[American Financial Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/31/Paramount-to-buy-4-theme-parks-for-400-million/2902712555200/ |title=Paramount to buy 4 theme parks for $400 million |date=July 31, 1992 |work=UPI Archives |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom]], the parent of [[Viacom Media Networks|MTV Networks]] (including [[Nickelodeon]]), then assumed control of Paramount in 1994 by purchasing a controlling interest,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1994/biz/news/viacom-takes-over-paramount-119173/ |title=Viacom takes over Paramount |date=March 13, 1994 |work=Variety |agency=Reuters |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> allowing Nickelodeon theming and merchandise into the park as well. During the Paramount era, attractions from the Action FX Theatre, Nickelodeon Splat City (later Nickelodeon Central), Drop Zone Stunt Tower, Invertigo, and many more modern thrill ride attractions were added in. Because the park is constrained from further expansion by its location in the center of [[Silicon Valley]], several rides including the classic train ride and the [[Sky Whirl]], a Marriott's Great America signature attraction, were removed to make way for newer attractions.
[[File:Paramount's Great America 2000.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the park in 2000]]
Viacom went on to acquire [[CBS]] in 1999,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/07/deals/cbs/ |title=Viacom tunes in to CBS |date=September 7, 1999 |work=CNN Money |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref> which made the combined Viacom/CBS the parent company of Great America and several broadcasting affiliates in the Bay Area, including [[KPIX-TV]] (CBS) and [[KPYX|KBCW]] ([[UPN]]). Viacom/CBS split in 2005, with the re-formed CBS Corporation assuming control of Paramount Parks, until CBS sold that unit to Cedar Fair in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2006/05/23/cedar-fair-buying-cbs-paramount-parks/ |title=Cedar Fair buying CBS' Paramount Parks |date=May 23, 2006 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |access-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

=== 2006–present: Cedar Fair/Six Flags and Eventual Closure ===
After Viacom and [[CBS Corporation]] split, Paramount Parks became a subsidiary of CBS. The theme park division was promptly put up for sale by CBS. In May 2006, [[Cedar Fair]] announced its acquisition of Paramount Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=77 |title=Press Releases :: Cedar Fair Entertainment Company |publisher=Cedarfair.com |access-date=2012-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060728185503/http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=77 |archive-date=July 28, 2006 |df=mdy}}</ref>

Despite having a license agreement in place to retain Nickelodeon and Paramount branding for several years,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/811532/000081153206000054/0000811532-06-000054-index.htm |title=EDGAR Filing Documents for 0000811532-06-000054 |publisher=Sec.gov |date=2006-06-06 |access-date=2012-06-04}}</ref> Cedar Fair opted to remove them sooner. For the 2007 season, Paramount was dropped from the park's name, reducing it to Great America.<ref name="2007-ParkGuide-NPN">{{cite web |title=Great America 2007 Park Guide Map |url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2007/04/great-america-2007-park-guide-map.html |website=NewsPlusNotes |access-date=June 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629043543/http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2007/04/great-america-2007-park-guide-map.html |archive-date=June 29, 2022 |date=April 13, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following season, Cedar Fair renamed it California's Great America in recognition of the park's original name.<ref name="2008-Season-PressRelease" /> A [[Huss Rides]] top spin ride called FireFall was added that year, along with a new ice show in the Great America Theatre that was formerly called Paramount Theatre.<ref name="2008-Season-PressRelease" /> Halloween Haunt, a Halloween-themed event held every weekend through the fall, also debuted at the park in 2008.<ref name="2008-Season-PressRelease">{{cite web |title=Theme Park Will Start New Year with New Attraction, New Show and a Brand New Name |url=http://www2.cedarfair.com/GreatAmerica/news/detail.cfm?item_id=652 |publisher=Cedar Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116231626/http://www2.cedarfair.com/GreatAmerica/news/detail.cfm?item_id=652 |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The remaining Nickelodeon themes were replaced with characters and themes from ''[[Peanuts]]'', a syndicated comic strip by [[Charles M. Schulz]], for the 2010 season. The children's area was renamed [[Planet Snoopy]]. Similar changes were made at other Cedar Fair properties around the country.

On September 19, 2011, Cedar Fair confirmed reports that California's Great America would be sold to JMA Ventures, LLC for $70 million in cash. The sale required approval by the City of Santa Clara, and its city council was scheduled to vote on the matter on December 6, 2011. Cedar Fair, which purchased the park in 2006, expected to use the cash proceeds from the sale to reduce its senior secured debt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cedar Fair to sell California's Great America park for $70 million |url=http://cf.wddnsweb2.wddonline.net/_upload/pressreleases/091911%20-%20definitive%20agmt%20-%20caga.pdf |publisher=Cedar Fair Entertainment Company |access-date=September 20, 2011 |date=September 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402164136/http://cf.wddnsweb2.wddonline.net/_upload/pressreleases/091911%20-%20definitive%20agmt%20-%20caga.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, on December 6, 2011, JMA Ventures cancelled its plans to purchase the amusement park.<ref name="JMA cancels">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2011/12/06/jma-cancels-70m-california-great.html |title=JMA cancels $70M California Great America purchase |date=December 6, 2011 |work=Business Journal |access-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref> In the same announcement, Cedar Fair also verified that a long-term agreement was reached with the [[San Francisco 49ers]] regarding parking and construction of a new stadium adjacent to Great America.<ref name="49ers">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2011/12/06/cedar-fair-niners-jma-great-america.html |title=JMA drops plan to buy Great America, but 49ers stadium plans proceed |last=Young |first=Eric |date=December 6, 2011 |work=San Francisco Business Times |access-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/12/great-america-remain-current-owners-49er-stadium-spat-averted |title=Great America to remain with current owners; 49er stadium spat averted |work=The Examiner |date=December 6, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213231812/http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/12/great-america-remain-current-owners-49er-stadium-spat-averted |archive-date=December 13, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Cedar Fair purchased the land beneath Great America from the city of Santa Clara in March 2019.<ref name="CedarFairPurchase-MercuryNews"/> The city retained the main parking lot in sale, which is shared between [[Levi's Stadium]] and Great America.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.santaclaraca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=65838 |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019 |page=74 |date=December 19, 2019 |publisher=City of Santa Clara |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How Taylor Swift will help drive theme park attendance |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202307/9679/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Theme Park Insider}}</ref>

California's Great America did not operate in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in California|COVID-19 pandemic]] and two stay-at-home orders issued by [[California Governor]] [[Gavin Newsom]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-04 |title=Cedar Fair Updates Its Calendar for 2020 Park Operations |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200804005097/en/Cedar-Fair-Updates-Calendar-2020-Park-Operations |access-date=2020-08-10 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=California's Great America, Carowinds, and other Cedar Fair parks to remain closed for 2020; Others closing early |website=Attractions Magazine |date=August 4, 2020 |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/californias-great-america-carowinds-and-other-cedar-fair-parks-to-remain-closed-for-2020-others-closing-early/ |access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref> It reopened on May 22, 2021, initially in a limited capacity, where face masks and social distancing were required.<ref>{{Cite web |title=California's Great America Amusement Park {{!}} Coronavirus Update |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/park-update |access-date=2021-05-22 |website=www.cagreatamerica.com |language=en}}</ref> Also in 2021, the Boomerang Bay water park reopened as South Bay Shores, featuring new water slides in several areas of the park.

In June 2022, Cedar Fair announced the sale of the land occupied by California's Great America for $310 million to [[Prologis]], a Bay Area logistics real estate company.<ref name="2022Sale-Jennings" /><ref name="CBS News 2022"/><ref name="Almanac Online 2022">{{cite web |title=Great America to eventually close after developer buys land |website=Almanac Online |date=June 28, 2022 |url=https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2022/06/28/great-america-to-eventually-close-after-developer-buys-land |access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref> Cedar Fair stated that the sale will help them lower the company's corporate debt to $2 billion, adding that they intended to close the park by 2033.<ref name="2022Sale-Jennings" /><ref name="CBS News 2022">{{cite web |title=Developer buys land leased to Great America in Santa Clara; park remains open for now |website=CBS News |date=June 28, 2022 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/great-america-santa-clara-cedar-fair-sold/ |access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref> The terms of the agreement involve Prologis leasing the land for an initial period of six years through June 30, 2028, with the option to renew the lease for an additional five years,<ref name="Potential June 30, 2028 closure" /><ref name="2022Sale-Jennings">{{cite news |last1=Jennings Moss |first1=J |last2=Nguyen-Fleige |first2=Chelsea |title=Cedar Fair sold the land beneath Great America to Prologis for $310M and intends to eventually close the park |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2022/06/27/cedar-fair-prologis-great-america.html |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=Silicon Valley Business Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627232915/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2022/06/27/cedar-fair-prologis-great-america.html |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2022Sale-Terms-LAT">{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Summer |title=Great America was the Bay Area's Disneyland. Now it's a victim of Silicon Valley's tech boom |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-01/silicon-valley-great-america-amusement-park-tech-boom-real-estate |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715110742/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-01/silicon-valley-great-america-amusement-park-tech-boom-real-estate |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> although Prologis could terminate Cedar Fair's lease with as little as two years' notice.<ref name="Torrez 2022">{{cite web |last=Torrez |first=James |title=California's Great America amusement park is changing hands; future uncertain |website=KTVU FOX 2 |date=June 28, 2022 |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/californias-great-america-amusement-park-is-changing-hands |access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref> The mayor of Santa Clara, Lisa M. Gilmor, released a statement saying that the city only found out about the sale when the public did, that city officials planned to speak with Prologis to learn more details, and that the land is zoned for "theme park" use only.<ref name="2022Sale-Mayor-Response">{{cite web |title=Santa Clara Mayor Responds To Surprise Sale of California's Great America |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2022/07/08/mayor-gilmor-great-america-sale/ |publisher=Laughing Place Inc. |access-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809012824/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2022/07/08/mayor-gilmor-great-america-sale/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2023, the park updated its website to require visitors aged under 16 to be accompanied by a [[Chaperone (social)|chaperone]] aged at least 21 in order to remain in the park after 4:00&nbsp;pm.<ref>{{cite news |first=Aidin |last=Vaziri |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/great-america-introduces-chaperone-policy-due-17916159.php |title=Bay Area amusement park requires chaperones due to rise in 'unruly' behavior |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=April 24, 2023}}</ref>

On July 1, 2024, a merger of equals between Cedar Fair and [[Six Flags (1961–2024)|Six Flags]] was completed, creating [[Six Flags|Six Flags Entertainment Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merger of Equals Successfully Completed, Creating a Leading Amusement Park Operator |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cedar-fair-six-flags-merger-200500080.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref> It remained unclear how the merger would impact the scheduled closure of California's Great America in 2033.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Great America owner Cedar Fair and Six Flags will merge |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/business/great-america-owner-merger/3359956/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=NBC Bay Area |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Mascots ==
At the park's opening in 1976, the park featured appearances from [[Looney Tunes]] characters, including [[Bugs Bunny]].<ref name=DS-7605/> After Marriott sold the Gurnee park to the [[Six Flags]] corporation, the rights to the Looney Tunes characters passed along to them, and the 1984 season was their final one. The park began using [[Hanna-Barbera]] properties in 1985, including [[The Smurfs]], [[Scooby-Doo]], and [[Yogi Bear]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SCS19850531.1.20 |title=Smurfs moving in at Great America |date=May 31, 1985 |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SCS19850811.1.9 |title=See all the new things and all the blue things at Great America. And save $4. [Advertisement] |date=August 11, 1985 |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref> Following the acquisition of the KECO parks by [[Paramount Pictures]], the Hanna-Barbera characters would remain under a licensing agreement with [[Turner Entertainment|Turner]]. They would remain in the park until the end of the 2009 season. The park began using characters from [[Nickelodeon]] shows in 1995, following Paramount's acquisition by Viacom a year prior. Characters from shows such as [[SpongeBob SquarePants]], [[Rugrats]], [[The Wild Thornberrys]], and [[Dora the Explorer (TV series)|Dora the Explorer]] were prominently featured in rides and shows around the park, as were other Nickelodeon characters. After the park was acquired by Cedar Fair(now Six Flags), who held a license for ''[[Peanuts]]'' characters, the child-themed area was rethemed as ''Planet Snoopy''.

== Attractions by type ==
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 90%"
|-
! Intensity rating<ref name=Rating>Ratings assigned per California's Great America, where "1" is the least intense and "5" is the most.</ref><ref name=GuestGuide/>&nbsp;<small>''(out of 5)''</small>
|-
|{{legend inline|#1CADEA|1 <small>(low)</small>|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#99DA50|2 <small>(mild)</small>|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#FED530|3 <small>(moderate)</small>|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#F7B754|4 <small>(high) </small>|outline=silver}} {{legend inline|#ED5B33|5 <small>(aggressive)</small>|outline=silver}}
|-
|}
''Note: Number ratings assigned per California's Great America, while the colors are unique to Wikipedia. For more details, refer to the California's Great America Guest Assistance Guide.''<ref name=GuestGuide>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/images/uploads/file/94749_GA_Safety_Guide_pp3.pdf |title=Guest Assistance Guide |access-date=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202135243/https://www.cagreatamerica.com/images/uploads/file/94749_GA_Safety_Guide_pp3.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

=== Roller coasters ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Location
!Manufacturer
!Model Name
!Opened
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|[[Demon (roller coaster)|Demon]]
|[[File:Demon (California's Great America) 2.jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|Custom Looping Coaster
|align=center|1976
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Flight Deck (California's Great America)|Flight Deck]]
|[[File:Flight Deck (California's Great America) 02.jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''Orleans Place''
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]]
|Inverted Coaster
|align=center|1993
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Gold Striker]]
|[[File:California's Great Adventure - Aerial view of Gold Striker (4031).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=Gold Striker Roller Coaster at Great America]]
|''Celebration Plaza''
|[[Great Coasters International]]
|Wooden Twister
|align=center|2013
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie]]s
|[[File:California's Great America (14339850981).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|''Planet Snoopy''
|[[E&F Miler Industries]]
|Family Coaster
|align=center|1999
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|[[Patriot (California's Great America)|Patriot]]
|[[File:Patriot at California's Great America (33838683241).jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''Hometown Square''
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]]
|Stand-up Coaster (1991–2017) {{nowrap|Floorless Coaster}}
|align=center|1991 (2017)
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|Psycho Mouse
|[[File:California's Great America 1 2016-08-28.jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|[[Wild mouse]]
|align=center|2001
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[RailBlazer]]
|[[File:RailBlazer (44990050472).jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Rocky Mountain Construction]]
|Raptor
|align=center|2018
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[The Grizzly]]
|[[File:Great America 1 2013-07-11.jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Curtis D. Summers]]
|Wooden Double Out and Back Model
|align=center|1986
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[Woodstock's Express (California's Great America)|Woodstock Express]]
|[[File:WoodstockExpressCaliforniasGreatAmerica.jpg|frameless|150px]]
|''Planet Snoopy''
|[[Intamin]]
|Children's Roller Coaster
|align=center|1987
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|}

=== Thrill rides ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Location
!Manufacturer
!Model Name
!Opened
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|[[Delirium (Cedar Fair)|Delirium]]
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (27093022540).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|''All American Corners''
|Chance Rides
|Revolution 32
|align=center|2002
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Drop Tower (Cedar Fair)|Drop Tower]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Great America 7 2013-09-15.jpg|90px|frameless|alt=]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Intamin]]
|Giant Drop
|align=center|1996
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Orbit
|[[File:Orbit at California's Great America (cropped).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|''All American Corners''
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf]]
|[[Enterprise (ride)|Enterprise]]
|align=center|1976
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Thunder Raceway
|[[File:Thunder Raceway.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
| NorCal County Fair
|
|Go Kart Ride
|align=center|2001
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Tiki Twirl
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (27297748861).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|''NorCal County Fair''
|[[Zamperla]]
|[[Disk'O]] Coaster
|align=center|2006
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Xtreme Skyflyer
|[[File:Xtreme Skyflyer.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|Hometown Square
|Skycoaster
|
|align=center|1997
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|}

== Park areas ==
{{OSM Location map
 | coord={{coord|37.396|-121.972}} | zoom=16
 | width=360 | height=400
 | caption=Themed areas within California's Great America

 | label1 =Celebration Plaza
 | mark-coord1 ={{coord|37.39730|-121.97440}}<!--Carousel Columbia-->
 | label-pos1 =top

 | label2 =Orleans Place
 | mark-coord2 ={{coord|37.39822|-121.97308}}<!--Delta Flyer-->
 | label-pos2 =top

 | label3 =All American Corners
 | mark-coord3 ={{coord|37.39713|-121.97211}}<!--Flying Eagles-->
 | label-pos3 =right

 | label4 =Planet Snoopy
 | mark-coord4 ={{coord|37.39486|-121.97190}}<!--Character Carousel-->
 | label-pos4 =top

 | label5 =South Bay Shores
 | mark-coord5 ={{coord|37.39617|-121.97044}}<!--Mission Falls-->
 | label-pos5 =bottom

 | label7 =NorCal County Fair
 | mark-coord7 ={{coord|37.39431|-121.97386}}<!--Demon-->
 | label-pos7 =top

 | label8 =Hometown Square
 | mark-coord8 ={{coord|37.39613|-121.97361}}<!--Great America Theater-->
 | label-pos8 =top
}}

''Redwood Amphitheater'', also called ''Great America Amphitheater'', is 10,000 person outdoor venue at Great America in Santa Clara, California.<ref>
* https://www.metrosiliconvalley.com/papers/metro/05.09.02/cover-redwood-0219.html
* https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/redwood-amphitheater-great-america
* https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/aly-aj-alyson-michalka-and-amanda-michalka-performs-in-news-photo/535116228
* https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/redwood-ampitheater-452754942
* https://twitter.com/cagreatamerica/status/1028767702490308608
* http://wikimapia.org/139491/Redwood-Amphitheater
* https://www.beatlesbible.com/1992/08/04/ringo-starr-all-starr-band-live-redwood-amphitheater-santa-clara/
* https://www.cagreatamerica.com/events/fourth-of-july-celebration
</ref>

The park is divided into several themed areas, laid out along an oval pathway nicknamed the "Duell Loop", which the park's designer, [[Randall Duell]], had incorporated into several theme parks, including the Six Flags Great America sister park in Gurnee. This allows all areas of the park to be serviced from a central corridor, while visitors can experience the entire park by completing a single lap around it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themerica.org/blog/2019/04/06/six-flags-great-america-01 |title=Six Flags Great America - Part 1: Marriott in the Midwest |date=April 6, 2019 |author=Gottwald, Dave |website=Themerica [blog] |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> In aerial photographs, the central service corridor in the Santa Clara park is visible as a straight road running almost directly north–south, terminating under the Patriot roller coaster. At the park's opening in 1976, there were five themed areas:<ref name=SCS-7608>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SCS19760808.1.18 |title=She's New Visit U.S.A. Ambassador |date=August 8, 1976 |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>
* ''Orleans Place'', representing the old South<ref name=DS-1976/>
* ''Yankee Harbor'', representing an early 19th-century Eastern seaboard village<ref name=DS-1976/>
* ''Yukon Territory'', representing the Klondike Gold Rush<ref name=DS-1976/>
* ''The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair'', representing the early 20th century
* ''Hometown Square'', representing a small American town in the 1920s<ref name=DS-1976/>

From the main entrance, visitors enter ''Celebration Plaza'' (originally ''Carousel Plaza''); proceeding clockwise (turning left after passing Carousel Columbia), the themed areas are:<ref name=Map2021/>
* ''Orleans Place'' (restoring the original name;<ref name=SCS-7608/> an interim name was ''Pavilion Plaza'')<ref name=Map2003/>
* ''All American Corners'' (consolidating the original ''Yankee Harbor''<ref name=SCS-7608/> and ''Yukon Territory'';<ref name=SCS-76/><ref name=AP-76>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12453577/the-news-messenger/ |title=Marriott leaps into amusement park business |date=June 1, 1976 |agency=AP |newspaper=The News-Messenger |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> previously known as ''All American Plaza'')<ref name=Map2009/>
* ''Planet Snoopy'' (originally ''Fort Fun''; intermediate brands included ''Kids Kingdom'', ''Smurf Woods'', ''KidZville'', and ''Nickelodeon Central'')
* ''NorCal County Fair''
* ''Hometown Square'' (restoring the original name;<ref name=AP-76/><ref name=SCS-76>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SCS19760128.1.36 |title=Giant Entertainment Park To Open In Santa Clara |date=January 28, 1976 |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> it had been incorporated into ''Celebration Plaza'')

The entrance to the ''[[South Bay Shores]]'' water park is in ''All American Corners'', near the bridge to ''Planet Snoopy''.<ref name=Map2021/> Typical visitor guide maps show the main entrance, which is in the northwest corner of the park, at the bottom of the map.<ref name=Map2003>{{cite web |url=http://pgathrills.com:80/i/assets/map_2003.pdf |title=Park Guide |date=2003 |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-date=July 21, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030721095256/http://pgathrills.com:80/i/assets/map_2003.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Map2009>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com:80/DOCs/09cga_parkmap.pdf |title=Park Map |date=2009 |website=California's Great America |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520185142/http://www.pgathrills.com:80/DOCs/09cga_parkmap.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Map2021>{{cite web |url=https://cdn-cloudfront.cfauthx.com/binaries/content/assets/cga-en-us/general-information/explore/directions/cga-2021-park-map.pdf |title=California's Great America Park Map |date=2021 |website=California's Great America |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>

=== All American Corners ===
[[File:Aerial view of California's Great America 3.JPG|thumb|right|upright=1.2|Aerial view of the former ''Yukon Territory'' and ''Yankee Harbor'' (2017) from the Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer [[Von Roll]] skyride; the Logger's Run [[log flume (ride)|log flume]] loading carousel is prominent in the right foreground, while the HMB Endeavor [[Looping Starship]] and lighthouse are on the left. A large [[waterslide]] for [[South Bay Shores|Boomerang Bay]] can be seen in the background.]]
''All American Plaza'' was formed by consolidating ''Yankee Harbor'', ''Yukon Territory'', and the southern portion of ''Orleans Place''. These areas were delineated by covered bridges: ''Yankee Harbor'' was between the covered bridges leading to ''Orleans Place'' to the north and ''Fort Fun'' on the south, while ''Yukon Territory'' was separated from ''Yankee Harbor'' by a boardwalk next to The Revolution (later H.M.B. Endeavor) [[Looping Starship]] ride and lighthouse; another covered bridge led from ''Yukon Territory'' to ''County Fair'',<ref name=Map1988/> which is now part of ''Action Zone'').<ref name=Map2021/>

The signature rides in ''Yankee Harbor'' and ''Yukon Territory'' were the interlocking [[log flume (ride)|log flumes]], which shared the same space on the east side of the park and had an entrance in each areas, flanking The Revolution and lighthouse.<ref name=Map1988/><ref name=Map1991>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_9988_californias_great_america_1991_park_map |title=Park Map and Guide |date=1991 |publisher=Kings Entertainment |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> Much of what was ''Yukon Territory'' was renamed ''Nickelodeon Central'' by 2003, which was an extension of the ''Fort Fun''/''KidZville'' children's area.<ref name=Map2003/>

This area was renamed ''All American Corners'' by 2009.<ref name=Map2009/> The expansion of South Bay Shores in 2019–20 annexed a portion of ''All American Corners'', including the lighthouse replica that was next to The Revolution/HMB Endeavor.<ref name=Map2021/>

In 2022, the park introduced Liberty Twirler, a new Scrambler ride. A new show, The Corner Notes, was also introduced.
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|[[Delirium (Cedar Fair)|Delirium]]
|[[File:Ride at California's Great America.JPG|150px|frameless]]
|2002
|[[Chance Rides]]
|Revolution 32
|Designed by [[KMG (company)|KMG]] of the Netherlands.
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|Flying Eagles
|[[File:California's Great America (14341537522).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2002
|[[Larson International]]
|[[Flying Scooters]]
|Cars can reach an overall height of {{convert|28|ft|m}} during ride operation.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Liberty Twirler
|
[[File:Liberty Twirler.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=Liberty Twirler with Sign|Liberty Twirler opened August 19, 2022]]
|2022
|Eli Bridge Company
|[[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]]
|A classic scrambler ride.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|[[Mass Effect: New Earth]]
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (26761931673).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2016<br />(1994)
|[[Iwerks Entertainment]]
| 4-D Theater
|Originally '[[Action Theater]]' with several shows on two screens; debuted in March 1994 with ''[[Days of Thunder]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/days.html |title=Days of Thunder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181542/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/days.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead |website=Paramount's Great America}}</ref>
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Orbit
|[[File:Orbit at California's Great America (cropped).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf]]
|[[Enterprise (ride)|Enterprise]]
|Originally the ''Orleans Orbit''.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Rip Roaring Rapids
|[[File:California's Great America (14320186596).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1988
|[[Intamin]]
| [[River rapids ride|Rapids Ride]]
|Riders careen through the concrete channels in 6-person rafts while facing rapids, whirlpools, and waterfalls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/riproar.html |title=Rip Roarin' Rapids |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181535/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/riproar.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead |website=Paramount's Great America}}</ref>
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|}

=== Celebration Plaza ===
''Celebration Plaza'' is the park's entrance plaza, with often-photographed features including the reflecting pool, Carousel Columbia, and the park's name in flowers. By 1988, the area had been renamed ''Carousel Plaza'' and was separated from the adjoining ''Hometown Square'' by the park's perimeter railroad, which ran on an elevated track immediately behind the giant carousel.<ref name=Map1988>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_9987_californias_great_america_1988_park_map |title=Great America: It's more exciting |date=1988 |publisher=Marriott |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> After the railroad and trolley were removed in 2000, the ''Hometown Square'' area was consolidated and renamed ''Celebration Plaza'',<ref name=Map2003/> although the area briefly bore the name ''Hollywood Plaza'' as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_14532_californias_great_america_2006_park_brochure |title=Park Map and Guide |date=2006 |publisher=Paramount Parks |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> The ''Hometown Square'' area was re-separated in 2021.<ref name=Map2021/>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|[[Columbia Carousel|Carousel Columbia]]
|[[File:Carousel Columbia (2477448809).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|[[Chance Rides]]
|Double Decker [[Carousel]]
|A double-decker carousel that has over 100 horses and stands at an overall height of {{Convert|101|ft|m}}.
|style="background:#1CADEA;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''1'''
|-
|[[Gold Striker]]
|[[File:California's Great America (14320112146).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2013
|[[Great Coasters International]]
|[[Wooden roller coaster]]
|Featured as a top 50 wooden roller coaster in ''[[Amusement Today|Amusement Today's]]'' Golden Ticket Awards<ref>{{cite journal |title=SeaWorld San Diego hosts 2014 Golden Ticket Awards |url=http://www.goldenticketawards.com/backissues/at_gt_2014_low_res_final.pdf |journal=[[Amusement Today]] |access-date=April 28, 2015 |date=September 2014 |volume=18 |issue=6.2}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=Elisfkc |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Star Tower
|[[File:California's Great America (14156752950).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1979
|[[Intamin]]
| Gyro Tower
|Passengers ride in a rotating cabin where it reaches a height of {{Convert|200|ft|m}} while taking in the surrounding views.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|}

=== NorCal County Fair ===
[[File:California's Great America 3 2017-08-01.jpg|thumb|right|This walkway/arbor in ''County Fair'' is a prominent part of the western arm, formerly ''Festival Plaza'' (2017).]]
''NorCal County Fair'' was originally named ''The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair''; portions of it were split off to form ''Action Zone'' and ''Festival Plaza'', but the latter was re-annexed into ''County Fair'' later. The original area, named ''The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair'', occupied most of the park's southern area, extending from a covered bridge into ''Yukon Territory'' (near the Centrifuge ride) to another bridge into ''Hometown Square'' (next to Whitewater Falls).<ref name=Map1988/><ref name=Map2021/> Passenger service was provided by the park's perimeter railroad from ''Hometown Square'', which stopped at the Fairground Junction station next to the picnic grounds and The Edge ride, and the Eagle's Flight station on the park's [[Von Roll]] gondola from ''Orleans Place''.<ref name=Map1988/><ref name=Map1991/>

By 2003, the area had been divided in two, with ''County Fair'' remaining in the southern part next to ''Nickelodeon Central'' (formed from the former ''Yukon Territory'') while the western arm had been renamed ''Festival Plaza''; the dividing line was the semi-circular Games Gallery, which hosted typical carnival games.<ref name=Map2003/> By 2009, the former ''County Fair'' at the park's southern end was renamed the ''Action Zone'', while ''Festival Plaza'' assumed the ''County Fair'' name.<ref name=Map2009/><ref name=Map2021/>

In early 2011, the park made the decision to relocate Invertigo to another Cedar Fair property, [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]], stating that it was necessary to make room for a future attraction.<ref name="Invertigo departure">{{cite web |title=Invertigo Going to a New Home |url=http://www.cagreatamerica.com/news/detail.cfm?item_id=1069 |publisher=California's Great America |access-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202070540/http://www.cagreatamerica.com/news/detail.cfm?item_id=1069 |archive-date=February 2, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Invertigo destination">{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Brady |title=California's Great America amusement park losing another roller coaster |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-jan-28-la-trb-great-america-coaster-01201128-story.html |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809022021/https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2011-jan-28-la-trb-great-america-coaster-01201128-story.html |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[RailBlazer]], a single-rail roller coaster, eventually opened in its place in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Great America's RailBlazer: Sneak peek at new roller coaster |website=The Mercury News |date=June 13, 2018 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/13/railblazer-what-its-like-to-ride-great-americas-new-roller-coaster/ |language=rw |access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref>

On May 4, 2023, the park announced the retheme of Action Zone and County Fair to NorCal County Fair. This retheme included a revamped Games Gallery, general area revamping, new [[Zamperla]] WindstarZ flat ride "Pacific Gliders" and overhauled and rethemed Barney Oldfield's Speedway to Barney Oldfield's Redwood Rally. (Formerly Action Zone, rebranded in 2023) was divided from ''The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition and County Fair.'' Pacific Gliders opened on August 13, 2023. The park held a season passholder preview on August 12, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soar to New Heights with Pacific Gliders: California's Great America Unveils a Thrilling Experience! |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/blog/2023/pacific-gliders-debut |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=www.cagreatamerica.com |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|Barney Oldfield's Redwood Rally
|
|1976
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|Antique Car ride
|Passengers ride in old-styled cars on a track around the Grizzly. Originally called Barney Oldfield Speedway (1976–2022).
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|Berserker
|[[File:California's Great America (14342545854).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf]]
| Bayern Kurve
|Originally known as ''Yukon Yahoo''.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Centrifuge
|[[File:Centrifuge (California's Great America).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|Schwarzkopf
|Calypso
|Originally known as ''Fiddler's Fling''. Its [[Six Flags Great America]] counterpart retains that name as of today.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|[[Drop Tower (Cedar Fair)|Drop Tower]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:California's Great America 5.JPG|90px|frameless]]
|1996
|[[Intamin]]
|Giant Drop
|A {{cvt|227|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} tower where riders descend at speeds up to {{cvt|100|km/h}} while free falling in cars that hold up to four passengers. Originally known as ''Drop Zone: Stunt Tower'' from 1996 to 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/dropzone.html |title=Drop Zone: Stunt Tower |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181603/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/dropzone.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[Demon (roller coaster)|Demon]]
|[[File:Demon (California's Great America) 2.jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|Looping Coaster
|Originally opened as "Turn of the Century" in 1976.<ref name=DS-7605>{{cite news |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DS19760515.2.54 |title=Great America Park Has Something For Everyone |author=Macdonald, Craig |date=May 15, 1976 |newspaper=The Desert Sun |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref> Reconfigured and renamed "Demon" in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/demon.html |title=Vortex |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181555/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/demon.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|Eagle's Flight
|[[File:California's Great America (14156671349).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|[[Von Roll]]
|Gondola lift
|''Eagle's Flight'' is the name for the Action Zone gondola station
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Pacific Gliders
|
|2023
|[[Zamperla]]
|Windstar
|
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Psycho Mouse
|[[File:California's Great America (14342536344).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2001
|[[Arrow Dynamics]]
|[[Wild mouse]] roller coaster
|The last Mad Mouse to be produced by Arrow Dynamics.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[RailBlazer]]
|[[File:RailBlazer (44990050472).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2018
|[[Rocky Mountain Construction]]
|Single Rail
|Replaced [[Stinger (Dorney Park)|Invertigo]], a roller coaster which closed on January 27, 2011
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[The Grizzly]]
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (26760853214).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1986
|Kings Island
|Wooden roller coaster
|Modeled after the original [[Coney Island (Cincinnati)|Coney Island]] ''Wildcat''.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Thunder Raceway
|
|2001
|
|[[Go-kart]] track
|Pay-per ride attraction.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Tiki Twirl
|[[File:Tiki Twirl 02.jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2006
|[[Zamperla]]
|Disk'O
|Originally known as ''Survivor: The Ride!'' from 2006 to 2011.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|}

=== Hometown Square ===
''Hometown Square'' was annexed into ''Celebration Plaza'', but was restored to a separate area later. Transportation within the park was provided by the perimeter railroad, which had one station in Hometown Square adjacent to Carousel Columbia connecting to a second station in ''County Fair'' where the Psycho Mouse roller coaster is today, and also by the trolley system, which ran in a square loop around the eponymous square in front of the Great America Theater, routed via ''Carousel Plaza'' through ''Orleans Place'', where it terminated in another loop near where the Flying Eagles ride is today.<ref name=Map1988/>

After the park's perimeter railroad and trolley were removed, the ''Hometown Square'' area was combined with ''Celebration Plaza'' by 2003;<ref name=Map2003/> the areas were divided again by 2021.<ref name=Map2021/>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|Celebration Swings
|[[File:California's Great America (14156694409).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2001
|[[Zierer]]
| [[Wave swinger]]
|Originally operated at [[Carowinds]] as ''Whirling Dervish'' from 1979 to 2000.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|[[Patriot (California's Great America)|Patriot]]
|[[File:Patriot at California's Great America (33838589881).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2017<br />(1991)
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard|B&M]]
| [[Floorless coaster]]
|A floorless coaster where passengers descend down a {{cvt|91|ft|adj=on}} drop at speeds of up to {{cvt|45|mph}} while navigating through one loop and a corkscrew along the {{cvt|1920|ft|adj=on}} track. Formerly known as ''Vortex'' from 1991 to 2016 as a [[stand-up roller coaster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/vortex.html |title=Vortex |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181515/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/vortex.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|Whitewater Falls
|[[File:Water ride at Great America.jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1990
|[[Intamin]]
|Spillwater
|A shoot-the-chutes water ride where 20 passengers sit in a large boat that eventually descends down a {{cvt|50|ft|m|adj=on|}} drop at up to {{cvt|44|mph}}, creating a {{Convert|20|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} wave.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/whitewater.html |title=Whitewater Falls |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181527/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/whitewater.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[Xtreme Skyflyer]]
|
|1997
|[[Skycoaster]]
|Skycoaster
|Pay-per-ride attraction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/new97.html |title=New for '97 |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181207/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/new97.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|}

=== Orleans Place ===
''Orleans Place'' was renamed ''Pavilion Plaza'' at one point, reflecting its entrance to the picnic area named Great America Pavilion. Originally, ''Orleans Place'' extended from ''Celebration/Carousel Plaza'' to a covered bridge leading to ''Yankee Harbor'' and was divided in half by the perimeter railroad;<ref name=Map1988/> the portion south of the railroad (including the trolley station/loop and the Orleans Orbit and Rip Roaring Rapids rides,<ref name=Map1988/> approximately where Pizza Orleans is today)<ref name=Map2021/> was annexed into ''All American Plaza'' when that area was formed by consolidating ''Yankee Village'' and ''Yukon Territory'' by 2003.<ref name=Map1999>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_11874_californias_great_america_1999_park_map |title=Great America Park Map |date=1999 |publisher=Paramount Parks |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=Map2003/> The site of the trolley station/loop is now marked by the "1950s gazebo" in ''All American Corners''. as a result of this land separation, the 'Orleans Orbit' was renamed, now being located in ' all American Corners' the ride is now known as simply 'Orbit.' <ref name=Map2021/>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>
|-
|Delta Flyer
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (26760874924).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|Von Roll
|Gondola line
|''Delta Flyer'' is the name for the Orleans Place station.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|[[Flight Deck (California's Great America)|Flight Deck]]
|[[File:Flight Deck (California's Great America) 02.jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1993
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]]
|[[Inverted roller coaster]]
|Formerly known as ''Top Gun''. Maximum speed {{cvt|50|mph}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/topgun.html |title=Top Gun |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970601181521/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/topgun.html |archive-date=June 1, 1997 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''5'''
|-
|Rue Le Dodge
|[[File:Great America 19 2013-07-15.jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1976
|Soli
| [[Bumper Cars]]
|A classic bumper car ride.
|style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|}

=== Planet Snoopy ===
[[File:2017.04.09 California's Great America (33125113654).jpg|thumb|right|The original ''Fort Fun'' area (now ''Planet Snoopy'') in 2017, from the Eagle's Flight/Delta Flyer [[Von Roll]] skyride]]
{{Main|Planet Snoopy}}
Planet Snoopy is California's Great America's kids area, which opened in 2010. The area was originally named ''Fort Fun'' and has seen the most name changes as brand licenses were updated following multiple ownership changes, including ''Kids Kingdom'', ''Smurf Woods'', ''Nickelodeon Central'', and ''KidZville''.

The original ''Fort Fun'' was a {{cvt|1|acre}} area for children located in the center of the park, accessible only by footbridges over water from ''Yukon Territory''.<ref name=Map1988/><ref name=Map1991/><ref name=Brochure1979>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_7055_californias_great_america_shanes_amusement_attic_-_1979_park_brochure |title=Marriot's Great America, Santa Clara, California |date=1979 |publisher=Marriott Corporation |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> ''Smurf Woods'' opened in 1987<ref name=Press1991>{{cite press release |url=https://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/p_205_9986_californias_great_america_shanes_amusement_attic_-_1991_park_brochure_and_press_releases |title=Great America -- 1991 Fast Facts |date=June 1, 1991 |website=Theme Park Review |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> and was physically separated from ''Fort Fun'' by ''Yukon Territory''.<ref name=Map1988/><ref name=Map1991/>

By 1999, the water physically separating ''Fort Fun'' from ''Yukon Territory'' had been filled<ref name=Map1999/> and by 2003, ''Smurf Woods'' had been replaced by ''Nickelodeon Central'', which had annexed much of the former ''Yukon Territory'' and was adjoining ''Fort Fun'', which had been renamed ''KidZville''.<ref name=Map2003/> The ''Nickelodeon Central'' area was renamed ''Planet Snoopy'' in 2010<ref name=Map2011>{{cite web |url=http://www.cagreatamerica.com:80/DOCs/11_cga_parkmap.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409083704/http://www.cagreatamerica.com:80/DOCs/11_cga_parkmap.pdf |title=Park Map and Guide |date=2011 |publisher=California's Great America |archive-date=April 9, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and by 2016, the ''Planet Snoopy'' area had expanded to its present size by annexing the former ''KidZville''/''Fort Fun'' children's area.<ref name=Map2016>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/images/uploads/file/2016%20Park%20Map%20&%20Guide%20Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201214551/https://www.cagreatamerica.com/images/uploads/file/2016%20Park%20Map%20&%20Guide%20Final.pdf |title=Park Map & Guide |date=2016 |publisher=California's Great America |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer
!Model
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/>

|-
|Planet Snoopy Construction Zone
|
|2014
|
|Playground
|Originally known as ''KidZ Construction Co.''
| rowspan="2" style="background:#1CADEA;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''1'''
|-
|Character Carousel
|
|1976
|Previously included [[Hanna-Barbera]] characters
|Carousel
|Previously included Hanna-Barbera characters
|-
|Flying Ace
|
|1999
|Zamperla
|Crazy Bus
|Originally known as ''KidzAir''
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|GR8 SK8
|
|2015
|Interactive Rides
|Sky Skater
|Originally at [[Knott's Berry Farm]] as ''Joe Cool's GR8 SK8''.
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|-
|Joe Cool's Dodgem School
|
|1999
|
|Kiddie bumper cars
|Originally known as ''Fender Bender 500''.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|Kite-Eating Tree
|
|1999
|S&S Worldwide
|Frog Hopper
|Originally known as ''Junior Jump Club''.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|[[Lucy's Crabbie Cabbie]]
|[[File:California's Great America (14339850981).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1999
|E&F Miler
|[[Kiddie roller coaster]]
|Originally known as ''Taxi Jam''.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|Peanuts 500
|
|2015
|
|
|Originally operated at Knott's Berry Farm as ''Charlie Brown's Speedway''.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''

|-
|PEANUTS Pirates
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:California's Great America (14156526089).jpg|90px|frameless]]
|2003
|Huss
|Breakdance 4
|Originally known as ''SpongeBob's Boat Mobiles''.
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''

|-
|Sally's Love Buggies
|[[File:7375 Crabolio (51060850691).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|2003
|
|
|Originally known as ''Dora's Dune Buggies''
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''

|-
|Sally's Swing Set
|
|
|
|Family Wave Swinger
|Originally known as ''Swing Swing Swing''
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|Snoopy's Space Buggies
|
|2015
|Zamperla
| Jump Around
|
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|Snoopy's Space Race
|
|1976
|
|
|Originally known as ''Buzzy Bee'' and later ''Ghost Chasers''.
|style="background:#1CADEA;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#fff;" | '''1'''
|-
|The Pumpkin Patch
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:California's Great America (14156526919).jpg|90px|frameless]]
|2003
|
|
|Originally known as ''Wild Thornberry's Treetop Lookout''
|style="background:#99DA50;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''2'''
|-
|[[Woodstock's Express (California's Great America)|Woodstock Express]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[File:California's Great America (14156528069).jpg|90px|frameless]]
|1987
|[[Intamin]]
|[[Steel roller coaster]]
|Originally known as ''Blue Streak, Rugrats Runaway Reptar''
|style="background:#FED530;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''3'''
|}

=== South Bay Shores ===
{{Main|South Bay Shores}}
[[File:Boomerang Bay .webm|thumb|A video of South Bay Shores (then Boomerang Bay)|326x326px]]
[[South Bay Shores]] is a water park located within California's Great America that opened in 2004 as ''Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay''. The name was later shortened to just ''Boomerang Bay'' in 2007. In August 2019, it was announced that ''Boomerang Bay'' would be expanded and renamed ''South Bay Shores''. Access to the water park is included with the price of admission to California's Great America.

== Time Capsule ==
A time capsule was buried at then Paramount's Great America in the former KidZville area of the park on March 29, 2002. The time capsule is set to open on March 29, 2152. The time capsule reads, "At this site is buried a time capsule with essays by students in second through twelfth grades in the Santa Clara Unified School District and other local schools. What will the next 150 years in Santa Clara be like? In honor of the City of Santa Clara's sesquicentennial 1852-2002."

== Defunct attractions ==
Past rides and attractions include:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Ride
!class="unsortable" | Image
!Opened
!Manufacturer, type
!Location
!Closed
!class="unsortable" | Notes
!Rating<ref name=Rating/><ref name=GuestGuide/><ref name=GG-2010>{{cite web |url=http://cagreatamerica.com/DOCs/10cga_safety_guide.pdf |title=2010 Rider Safety Guide |date=2010 |publisher=California's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923200006/http://cagreatamerica.com/DOCs/10cga_safety_guide.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|H.M.B. Endeavor
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (27297704431).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|1987
|[[Intamin]] [[Looping Starship]]
|''All American Plaza'' (later ''All American Corners'')
|2017
|Removed after the 2017 season. Now a grass picnic area Originally named ''The Revolution''.
| style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|Snoopy's Splash Dance
|[[File:2017.04.09 California's Great America (33155613343).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|
|Kiddie splash walk-through
| ''Planet Snoopy''
|2017
|Removed after the 2017 season due to an expansion of South Bay Shores
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''N/A'''
|-
|Logger's Run
|[[File:2016.05.29 California's Great America (27270725742).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|
|[[Log flume (ride)|log flume]]
| ''All American Plaza'' (later ''All American Corners'')
| 2017
|Removed after the 2017 season due to an expansion of South Bay Shores
| style="background:#F7B754;text-align:center;font-size:200%;" | '''4'''
|-
|[[Firefall (ride)|Firefall]]
|[[File:California's Great America (14156505749).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|2008
|[[HUSS Park Attractions]] Top Spin
|''All American Plaza'' (later ''All American Corners'')
|2016
|Relocated from [[Geauga Lake]], where it had been named ''Texas Twister''; unexpectedly closed following the 2016 season.
Replaced by Liberty Twirler.
| style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#FFF;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Patriot (California's Great America)|Vortex]]
|[[File:California's Great America (14320030556).jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|1991
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]] [[stand-up roller coaster]]
|''Hometown Square''
|2016
|Converted into a [[Floorless Coaster]] called Patriot for 2017
| style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#FFF;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Stinger (roller coaster)|Invertigo]]
|[[File:Invertigo At Great America.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|1998
|[[Vekoma]] inverted [[Shuttle roller coaster|shuttle coaster]]
|''Festival Plaza'' (later ''County Fair'')
|2011
|The first of its kind in North America;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/invertigo.html |title=Invertigo |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007101424fw_/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/invertigo.html |archive-date=October 7, 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref> relocated to [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|Dorney Park]] until its closure in 2018.
| style="background:#ED5B33;text-align:center;font-size:200%;color:#FFF;" | '''5'''
|-
|[[Nighthawk (roller coaster)|Stealth]]
|[[File:Stealth (California's Great America) 1.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|2000
|[[Vekoma]] [[flying roller coaster]]
|''All American Plaza (later All American Corners)''
|2003
|Tested in 1999;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/attractions_rides_featured.jsp |title=Stealth |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000619204810/http://www.pgathrills.com/attractions_rides_featured.jsp |archive-date=June 19, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref> relocated to [[Carowinds]] in 2004 and renamed Nighthawk to make way for [[South Bay Shores|Boomerang Bay]]
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Great America Scenic Railway
|
|1976
| Custom {{RailGauge|3ft|lk=on}} [[Narrow gauge railways|narrow gauge]] railroad
| Stations in ''Hometown Square'' and ''County Fair''
|2000
|Traversed the perimeter of the park
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Yankee Clipper
|
|1976
|[[Arrow Dynamics]] log flume
|''All American Corners'' (''Yankee Harbor'')
|1998
|Interlocked with Logger's Run and was removed to make room for Stealth
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Greased Lightnin' (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom)|Greased Lightnin']]
|[[File:Paramount's Great America 2000.jpg|150px|frameless|alt=]]
|1977
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf]] [[Shuttle Loop]] roller coaster
|''All American Corners'' (''Yankee Harbor'')
|2002
|Originally called ''The Tidal Wave''; renamed in 1999
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[IMAX]] Pictorium Theater
|
|1978
|IMAX movie theater
|''Celebration Plaza''
|2001
|First IMAX theater in California; premiered ''[[Man Belongs to the Earth]]''.<ref name=ParkTimeline>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/media-center/park-history |title=Park History |publisher=California's Great America |access-date=28 June 2021}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|The Edge
|
|1983
|Intamin [[Freefall (ride)|Freefall]]
|''Action Zone'' (''County Fair'')
|1995
|A first-generation Freefall ride
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Skyhawk
|
|1989
|Intamin flight trainer simulator
|''Hometown Square''
|2000
|
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Sky Whirl]]
|
|1976
|Intamin [[Triple wheel|Triple Tree Wheel]] ([[Ferris wheel]])
|''County Fair''
|1997
|Several sister rides were custom manufactured for various [[Marriott Corporation]] amusement parks
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Lobster
|
|1976
|[[Octopus (ride)|Octopus]] ride
|''All American Corners'' (''Yankee Harbor'')
|1993
|Removed to make room for Action Theater
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Bottom's Up
|
|
|[[Wipeout (ride)|Trabant]] flat ride
|''Hometown Square''
|1988
|
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Triple Play
|
|1976
|Huss [[Troika (ride)|Troika]]
|''Hometown Square''
|2004
|Formerly situated next to Patriot
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Smurf Woods
|
|1987
|rowspan=3 | Kids-themed area
|rowspan=3 | Now ''Planet Snoopy''
|1990s
|Themed to ''[[The Smurfs]]''
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Nickelodeon in amusement parks|Nickelodeon Central]]
|
|1990s
|1997
|Based on shows from [[Nickelodeon]] and the [[Nick Jr. Channel]]
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|KidZville
|[[File:California's Great America (14156525579).jpg|150px|frameless]]
|1998
|2010
|Incorporates themes from Hanna-Barbera after the acquisition by Paramount, including Scooby-Doo, Flintstones, and Jetsons<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pgathrills.com/html/kidsville.htm |title=KidZville |website=Paramount's Great America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007144446fw_/http://www.pgathrills.com/html/kidsville.htm |archive-date=October 7, 1999 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Whizzer (roller coaster)|Whizzer]]
|
|1976
|Anton Schwarzkopf steel family roller coaster
|''Hometown Square''
|1988
|Originally named ''Willard's Whizzer''<ref name=DS-7605/>
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Trolley Cars
|
|1976
|[[Tram|Trolley]]
| ''Hometown Square'' and ''Orleans Place'' via ''Celebration Square''
|c.2000
|Traveled to other locations within Great America
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Dolphin and Seal Show
|
|
| Daily shows featuring dolphins and seals
|''Planet Snoopy'' (''Fort Fun'')
|1989
|During the Marriott era; as with other parks in the chain, the show was removed after [[Paramount Parks]] began managing park operations. The remaining structure was later converted to Peanuts Playhouse Theater
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Cajun Carpet
|
|
|Huss [[Rainbow (ride)|Rainbow]] flat ride
|''Orleans Place''
|1989
|Formerly located near Orbit and Rip Roaring Rapids.<ref name="hq.usace.army.mil">{{cite web |url=http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/pubs/jul98/story11.htm |title=July 1998 Engineer Update |access-date=2008-12-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823205905/http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/cepa/pubs/jul98/story11.htm |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Gulf Coaster]]
|
|1976
|steel [[Kiddie roller coaster|kiddie coaster]]
|
|1980
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|[[Ameri-Go-Round]]
|
|1976
|[[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] carousel
|''County Fair''
|1995
|Replaced by [[Drop Tower (Cedar Fair)|Drop Tower]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-13 |title=Ameri-Go-Round |url=https://www.greatamericaparks.com/great-america-rides/ameri-go-round/ |access-date=2020-06-03 |website=GREATAMERICAparks.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Originally built in 1918 for the [[Cincinnati Zoo]]; after closing at Great America, donated to [[Woodland Park Zoo]] and reopened in 2006.
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Hilltopper
|
|
|[[Music Express|Himalaya]] flat ride
|
|1984
|
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|-
|Saskatchewan Scrambler
|
|
|[[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]] flat ride
|''Yukon Territory'' / ''County Fair''
| 1991
|Renamed Industrial Revolution after move
| style="text-align:center;font-size:200%;" |
|}

== Fast Lane ==
{{Further|List of Fast Lane attractions#California's Great America}}

[[Fast Lane (Six Flags)|Fast Lane]], first introduced at a Cedar Fair park in July 2011, is a secondary queue system that offers shorter wait times on the park's most popular rides.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Economy/2011/08/06/Cedar-Fair-trying-out-1st-in-line-access-fees-2.html |title=Cedar Fair trying out first-in-line access fees |last=Chavez |first=Jon |work=The Blade |publisher=August 6, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> Fast Lane is a system where
in addition to a standard admission charge, visitors can purchase a wrist band. The band grants access to the Fast Lane queue. In theory, a limited number of wrist bands are available each day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/tickets-passes/fast-lane |title=Fast Lane |publisher=California's Great America |access-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref>

In 2023, the park introduced Single-Use Fast Lane, which can be used for only one time.

== Events ==
The park hosted many events throughout the year.

=== Former Tricks and Treats ===
[[File:Halloween Haunt California's Great America logo.jpg|right|228x228px]]Tricks and Treats was the autumn festival at the park, which began in mid-September and ends in October. Attractions include crafts, shows, and games. This event was announced it won't return in the 2025 season.

=== Former Halloween Haunt ===
[[File:California's Great Adventure welcome garden (3985).jpg|thumb|Front of park during Halloween Haunt in 2017]]
Halloween Haunt was a seasonal event at California's Great America, that began in the fall after the park has transitioned to weekend-only operation. It debuted in 2008 and last ran in 2021, and typically ran from mid-September through late October to coincide with [[Halloween]], featuring haunted houses, mazes, live shows, and scare actors roaming throughout the park.<ref name="Haunt-Blooloop">{{cite news |date=September 2, 2008 |title='Halloween Haunt' Casts Its Spell Upon California's Great America This October |work=Blooloop |url=https://blooloop.com/uncategorised/news/all-new-halloween-haunt-casts-its-spell-upon-californias-great-america-this-october/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522034234/https://blooloop.com/uncategorised/news/all-new-halloween-haunt-casts-its-spell-upon-californias-great-america-this-october/ |archive-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Haunt-99.7">{{cite web |date=September 2019 |title=California's Great America Halloween Haunt |url=https://997now.com/event/californias-great-america-halloween-haunt/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522033010/https://997now.com/event/californias-great-america-halloween-haunt/ |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |website=99.7 Now |publisher=Bonneville International}}</ref> Most rides and attractions remained in operation during this time, and the park's hours of operation were extended on Fridays and Saturdays.<ref name="Haunt-Blooloop" /><ref name="Haunt-SFChronicle">{{cite news |last1=Kost |first1=Ryan |date=October 10, 2019 |title=7 Bay Area haunted Halloween attractions |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/guide/get-scared-7-bay-area-haunted-halloween-attractions |url-status=live |access-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522034635/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/guide/get-scared-7-bay-area-haunted-halloween-attractions |archive-date=May 22, 2021}}</ref> The event last operated on October 31, 2021.

On February 25, 2022, California's Great America announced that Halloween Haunt is being replaced for the 2022 season with a family-friendly, scare-free Halloween event called "Tricks and Treats".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Halloween Event & Activities {{!}} Tricks & Treats {{!}} CA Great America |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/events/tricks-and-treats |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=www.cagreatamerica.com |language=en}}</ref> There was not be an adult, nighttime Halloween event at California's Great America after 2021 season, although the [[Halloween Haunt (disambiguation)|Halloween Haunt]] event continues to run at several other Six Flags parks.

=== Former Winterfest ===
Winterfest was the holiday event at the park, which began in mid-November and ended in Early January. It featured several winter themed attractions: shows, games, and ice skating. This event was announced it won't return in the 2025 season.

== Park timeline ==
{{Hidden begin|title=2020–2029|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 2025: All seasonal events cancelled
* 2024: Celebration Swings repainted, Food and Wine Festival introduced
* 2023: [[Peanuts]] Celebration introduced; NorCal County Fair re-themed, Pacific Gliders opens
* 2022: Carnivale at Orleans Place and Tricks and Treats introduced, Liberty Twirler opens, Orbit reopened after a refurbishment and repaint with 1950s designs, Halloween Haunt cancelled, announcement made of Park closure on June 27.
* 2021: Taste of Orleans introduced, South Bay Shores opened
* 2020: Park temporarily closed because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Hidden begin|title=2010–2019|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 2019: Drop Tower receives new paint scheme depicting a [[Sequoioideae|redwood tree]], Pre-K pass is introduced.
* 2018: Single-rail coaster RailBlazer debuts, Halloween Haunt and WinterFest are expanded.
* 2017: Patriot is converted to floorless, Vortex is repainted and re-themed, Halloween Haunt and Winterfest expanded. FireFall, Logger's Run, H.M.B Endeavour, Snoopy's Splash Dance, and other structures are removed.
* 2016: 4D holographic attraction themed to the video game [[Mass Effect]] debuts in newly renovated Action Theater, Winterfest event added, Halloween Haunt expansion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/coming-in-2016 |title=Great America Announces New Attraction Featuring Mass Effect Videogame Series for 2016 |publisher=California's Great America |access-date=September 30, 2015 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425205108/https://www.cagreatamerica.com/what-s-new/coming-in-2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_28896052/great-america-electronic-arts-creating-mass-effects-attraction |title=Great America, Electronic Arts creating 'Mass Effects' attraction |last=Zavoral |first=Linda |date=September 29, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=September 30, 2015}}</ref>
* 2015: Planet Snoopy replaces KidZville
* 2014: Flight Deck repainted red and white, Grizzly retracked and has its loading area painted red and white, Fun TV monitors added to ride line queues, and new flooring in Carousel Columbia.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 8, 2014 |title=Off season tour and 2014 season details |publisher=Park Valley |url=http://cgaintel.blogspot.com/2014/03/off-season-tour-and-2014-season-details.html#more}}</ref>
* 2013: New wooden coaster "[[Gold Striker]]" opens and ''Happy Feet: Mumble's Wild Ride'' debuts in the Action Theater.
* 2012: Demon and Flight Deck repainted, elevator lift entrance for Loggers Run and Vortex, The Grizzly is retracked, [[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane]] added.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.49ers.com/2012/04/02/stadium-groundbreaking-slated-for-april-19/ |title=49ers.com &#124; Stadium Groundbreaking Slated for April 19 |publisher=Blog.49ers.com |access-date=2012-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625211803/http://blog.49ers.com/2012/04/02/stadium-groundbreaking-slated-for-april-19/ |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[Image:Invertigo.jpg|thumb|The former Invertigo coaster (Removed 2011)]]
* 2011: Invertigo removed and relocated to [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]]
* 2010: Planet Snoopy replaces Nickelodeon Central, Hanna Barbera references removed in KidZville
{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Hidden begin|title=2000–2009|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 2009: All Wheels Extreme Stunt show; Chipper Lowell Experience show
* 2008: Park renamed '''California's Great America'''; FireFall; Dora's Sing-Along Adventure; Endless Summer On Ice show; Halloween Haunt debuts
* 2007: Paramount dropped from the name, renamed '''Great America'''; Great Barrier Reef Wavepool added to Boomerang Bay; [[Ed Alonzo]] Misfit of Magic; Twistin' to the '60s Show
* 2006: Tiki Twirl (Formerly Survivor: The Ride); Park is sold to Cedar Fair
* 2005: Boomerang Bay expansion to include lazy river, two other waterslides and a large swimming pool.
* 2004: Boomerang Bay is added including a complex of children's water slides/play area, a 4-person adult raft/tube ride, a two-person inner-tube water slide and a fully enclosed two-person inner-tube water slide. Triple Play is removed. [[Nickelodeon]] Celebration Parade begins performing.
* 2003: SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D in the Action Theater; [[Nickelodeon Central]] (expansion of Splat City); Stealth (flying steel coaster) is removed and sent to [[Carowinds]] as Nighthawk
* 2002: Delirium; Flying Eagles; Greased Lightning (shuttle loop coaster) is removed; Time Capsule buried
* 2001: Psycho Mouse; Celebration Swings; Thunder Raceway; Stan Lee's seventh Portal 3D/ Smash Factory in Action Theater
* 2000: Stealth (flying steel coaster) opens to the public; Scenic Railroad and Skyhawk are removed
{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Hidden begin|title=1990–1999|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 1999: KidZVille; Tidal Wave renamed Greased Lightnin'; Stealth is constructed and tested all season; Logger's Run modified to allow construction of Stealth
[[Image:Invertigo At Great America.jpg|thumb|right|Complete View of the former Invertigo coaster]]
* 1998: Invertigo; James Bond: License to Thrill;<ref name="hq.usace.army.mil"/> in the Paramount Action F/X Theater Yankee Clipper is removed
* 1997: Xtreme Skyflyer; Triple Wheel (originally Sky Whirl) is removed
* 1996: Drop Tower Scream Zone (Formerly Drop Zone Stunt Tower)
* 1995: [[Nickelodeon Splat City]]; The Edge and Ameri- Go Round are removed.
* 1994: Action Theater featuring Days of Thunder
* 1993: Park is renamed '''Paramount's Great America'''; Flight Deck (Formerly Top Gun); Lobster is removed
* 1992: KECO is acquired by Paramount, and renamed Paramount Parks; IMAX Pictorium Theater received a $1.5 million upgrade allowing it to screen 3-D films.
* 1991: Vortex (March&nbsp;9);<ref name=Press1991/> Saskatchewan Scrambler is removed.
* 1990: Whitewater Falls (March&nbsp;31)<ref name=Press1991/>
{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Hidden begin|title=1980–1989|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 1989: Skyhawk (March&nbsp;11);<ref name=Press1991/> KECO purchases buildings, rides, and equipment from the City of Santa Clara (June&nbsp;2);<ref name=Press1991/> Dolphin and Seal show and Cajun Carpet are removed.
* 1988: Rip Roaring Rapids (March&nbsp;12).<ref name=Press1991/> Whizzer and Bottom's Up are removed
* 1987: Woodstock Express (Formerly Blue Streak/ Green Slime Mine Car Coaster/ Runaway Reptar); Smurf Woods (March&nbsp;21);<ref name=Press1991/> Fort Fun (March&nbsp;21);<ref name=Press1991/> HMB Endeavor (Formerly known as The Revolution, March&nbsp;21)<ref name=Press1991/>
* 1986: The Grizzly (March&nbsp;15);<ref name=Press1991/> Redwood Amphitheater with the ''Miami Sound Machine'' (June&nbsp;14)<ref name=Press1991/>
* 1985: Park is renamed '''Great America.'''
* 1985: Park is sold by Marriott corporation to the City of Santa Clara (June&nbsp;5);<ref name=Press1991/> management transfers to Kings Entertainment Company (KECO)
* 1984: Hilltopper is removed.
* 1983: The Edge (June&nbsp;18);<ref name=Press1991/> Red Baron and Ladybugs are removed.
* 1982: Atari Video Adventure
* 1980: The Demon (remodeled from Turn of the Century, March&nbsp;15);<ref name=Press1991/> Gulf coaster is removed
{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Hidden begin|title=1970–1979|titlestyle=text-align: center; background:#CCC}}
* 1979: Star Tower (formerly Sky Tower, March&nbsp;31)<ref name=Press1991/>
* 1978: IMAX Pictorium Theater, with film ''Man Belongs to the Earth'' (June&nbsp;3)<ref name=Press1991/>
* 1977: Tidal Wave (July&nbsp;8)<ref name=Press1991/>
* 1976: '''Marriott's Great America''' opens (March&nbsp;20)<ref name=Press1991/>
{{Clear}}{{Hidden end}}
{{Panorama
|image   = California's Great America Star Tower Summit Panorama 2015 (cropped) (downscaled).jpg
|height  = 230
|caption = A panorama from the peak of Star Tower at California's Great America in 2015
}}

== In film and television ==
=== ''Beverly Hills Cop III'' ===
Though appearing under the name "Wonder World", Paramount's Great America was used for exterior scenes of the theme park in the 1994 film ''[[Beverly Hills Cop III]]'' (itself released by Paramount Pictures) after [[Knott's Berry Farm]] declined filming rights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1993/voices/columns/cop-iii-displays-spectacle-for-wasserman-1117862394/ |title='Cop III' displays spectacle for Wasserman |author=Archerd, Army |author-link=Army Archerd |date=December 13, 1993 |work=Variety |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-05-25-9405240754-story.html |title='Cop III': Eddie rides again |author=Boyar, Jay |date=May 25, 1994 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>

Writer Steven E. de Souza originally wrote the story as more "Die Hard in a theme park". He was told that each of the rides he had designed would cost about $10 million to build and the whole film would cost about $70 million. When box office results for ''[[The Distinguished Gentleman]]'' came in, Paramount ordered the budget to be cut to $55 million.

Some modifications were made to the Columbia Carousel and Vortex roller coaster. Most of the Sky Whirl/Triple Wheel stunts (renamed "The Spider" for the film) were filmed in a studio. To film the exterior scenes, the motors of the Triple Wheel were left unpowered; instead, to ensure the ride did not move too quickly, some cages were loaded with sandbags to unbalance the mechanism.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/06/10/eddie-murphys-dangerous-ride/ |title=Eddie Murphy's dangerous ride |author=Mannes, George |date=June 10, 1994 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref> In this scene, [[George Lucas]] has a small part as the man Axel cuts in front of to get on the ride, also known as 'disappointed man' (this can be seen in the credits). [[John Singleton]] and [[Martha Coolidge]] also made cameo appearances in the film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940525/1912261/cop-iii-though-murphys-a-draw-there-oughta-be-a-law |title='Cop III': Though Murphy's A Draw, There Oughta Be A Law |author=Shannon, Jeff |date=May 25, 1994 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>

Many rides that were seen in the movie including Triple Play/Sky Whirl have since been removed. Also, the carousel at the back of the park (the Ameri-Go-Round, not the Columbia Carousel) was altered. The Ameri-Go-Round carousel has since been removed and Drop Zone is now in its place. The tunnels that supposedly ran under the park are a myth as well. No tunnels run under the park, as many thought after this was released.

The Alien Attack ride featured in the Wonder World theme park was in fact the "[[List of former Universal Studios Florida attractions#Earthquake: The Big One/Disaster!|Earthquake: The Big One]]" attraction from the [[Universal Studios Florida]] theme park in [[Orlando, Florida]]. The "aliens" featured in the ride are suited actors (and not animatronic as suggested in the film) that closely resembled the Cylons from the original Battlestar Galactica.<ref name=TPI-131116>{{cite web |url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201311/3778/ |title=Theme Park History: 10 top movies or TV shows filmed in theme parks |author=Potter, Derek |date=November 16, 2013 |website=Theme Park Insider |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Other appearances ===
* Paramount's Great America was also used as the theme park [[Macaulay Culkin]] visits in the 1994 film ''[[Getting Even with Dad]]'' (which was released not by Paramount Pictures, but rather by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greatamericanthrills.net/2014/08/24/getting-even-with-dad-filmed-at-californias-great-america/ |title=Getting Even With Dad Filmed at California's Great America |author=Rowberry, Kris |date=August 24, 2014 |website=Great American Thrills |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref>
* The park's inverted steel coaster "Top Gun" (later renamed "Flight Deck") was featured in a 2007 [[Excedrin]] commercial with music from [[The Stremes]].<ref>{{youTube |id=Nw-d5OZOWA0 |title=Excedrin TV Advert - Music by The Stremes}}</ref>
* Marriott's Great America was used in the 1983 George Lucas and [[John Korty]] animated feature [[Twice Upon a Time (1983 film)|''Twice Upon A Time'']].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/58153 |title=Twice Upon a Time (1983) |publisher=AFI Catalog of Feature Films |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref> It was used both as a background for animated scenes and for a short live-action shot at the end of the film.

== Incidents ==
{{Main|Incidents at Six Flags parks}}
* In 1980, a 13-year-old boy was killed and several others injured on the [[Whizzer (roller coaster)|Willard's Whizzer]] roller coaster.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/06/13/previous-accidents-at-great-america/ |title=Previous accidents at Great America |last=Kaplan |first=Tracy |date=June 13, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=March 15, 2016}}</ref>
* In 1989, two boys intentionally jumped out of the Loggers' Run ride. One was killed and the other fell onto a platform and was injured.<ref name="abc7news.com: 7/12/07">{{cite web |last=Rosales |first=Erik |url=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5476441 |title=[Title lost before link went dead] |publisher=KGO-TV |date=2007-07-12 |access-date=2012-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305235532/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=5476441 |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* In 1998, after riding [[Flight Deck (California's Great America)|Flight Deck]], a 24-year-old Spanish-speaking man, who could not read the English-language warning signs, entered a locked, gated area underneath the ride to retrieve his hat. He was hit by the foot of a passenger on the Flight Deck train and later died. The passenger suffered a broken leg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rideaccidents.com/1998.html |title=1998 News Archive: Roller coaster accident kills a man in California |publisher=Rideaccidents.com |date=September 7, 1998 |access-date=2012-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420021129/http://rideaccidents.com/1998.html#sep7 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* On August 22, 1999, a 12-year-old boy fell to his death on [[Drop Tower (Cedar Fair)|Drop Tower]] after slipping from the ride's restraints, which were still locked at the end of the ride.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=Courier-Journal |date=June 23, 2007 |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20071129&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=111290002&SectionCat=&Template=printart |title=Thrill ride lawsuits |access-date=November 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rideaccidents.com/1999.html |title=Drop Zone death: no charges, no explanation |date=November 5, 1999 |publisher=RideAccidents.com |access-date=December 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420021130/http://www.rideaccidents.com/1999.html#nov5 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* On July 12, 2007, a 4-year-old boy drowned in the Boomerang Bay's "Great Barrier Reef" (now known as South Bay Shores' "Breakers Bay") [[wave pool]].<ref name="abc7news.com: 7/12/07"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc11.com/news/13672880/detail.html |title=4-Year-Old Drowns In California's Great America Wave Pool&nbsp;– News Story&nbsp;– KNTV &#124; San Francisco |publisher=Nbc11.com |access-date=2012-06-04}}</ref>
* On June 12, 2015, a maintenance worker was critically injured after being struck in the head by a moving train on [[Flight Deck (California's Great America)|Flight Deck]]. A passenger sustained serious hand and leg injuries in the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_28306406/great-america-roller-coaster-accident-injures-two-people%7D%7D |title=Great America roller coaster accident injures two people |last1=Kaplan |first1=Tracy |last2=Nelson |first2=Katie |date=June 13, 2015 |work=San Jose Mercury News |access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>
* On July 4, 2019, the Santa Clara PD were called near the entrance of the park where a woman was shot during the evening of the fireworks show. The victim was struck on the arm by a handgun. She did not suffer any serious injuries and was also treated at the scene. It was ruled as an altercation between two family groups.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Great-America-Shooting-Suspect-Still-at-Large-512279892.html |title=California's Great America Shooting Suspect Still at Large - NBC Bay Area |publisher=NBC Bay Area |first=Mandela |last=Linder |date=2019-07-05 |access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>
* On October 26, 2019, a group of teenagers sparked some firecrackers in the front gate causing guests to scramble, thinking it was a shooting. It was later determined to be due to a robbery. Concession stands within the park were also robbed by fleeing guests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/10/29/details-released-on-false-shooting-report-panic-at-great-america-amusement-park/ |title=Details Released On False Shooting Report, Panic At Great America Amusement Park |date=October 29, 2019 |work=KPIX 5 |access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* Michelson, Herb. (June 7, 1984). "City will purchase Marriott's". ''The Sacramento Bee'', p. A.
* "Santa Clara drops Great America pact". (February 7, 1985). ''San Francisco Chronicle'', p.&nbsp;4.
* Ewell, Miranda. (June 6, 1985). "Santa Clara assumes ownership of Great America". ''San Jose Mercury News'' (CA), p.&nbsp;8B.
* Kava, Brad. (March 15, 1989). "Great America reopens". ''San Jose Mercury News'', p.&nbsp;1.
* Eng, Sherri. (August 1, 1992). "Paramount to buy Great America owner". ''San Jose Mercury News'', p.&nbsp;1E.

== External links ==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
{{Six Flags}}
{{California's Great America}}
{{San Jose and Silicon Valley attractions}}
{{Paramount Parks}}
{{Amusement parks in California}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}

[[Category:California's Great America| ]]
[[Category:Six Flags amusement parks]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in California]]
[[Category:1976 establishments in California]]
[[Category:San Francisco Bay Area amusement parks]]
[[Category:Economy of Santa Clara, California]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Santa Clara, California]]
[[Category:Amusement parks opened in 1976]]