Is Great America a California thing?

San Francisco Amusement Park, California's Great America Featuring thrill rides, live entertainment, and South Bay Shores waterpark, California's Great America is the top destination for thrill-seekers and families alike.



While California's Great America in Santa Clara is a well-known landmark, it is not strictly a "California thing." The park was originally part of a pair of near-identical "Americana" themed parks launched by the Marriott Corporation in 1976. The sister park, Six Flags Great America, is located in Gurnee, Illinois (near Chicago). Both parks opened with the same name, "Marriott's Great America," and featured many of the same high-fidelity opening attractions and layouts. In 1984, Marriott exited the theme park business, selling the Illinois park to Six Flags and the California park to the City of Santa Clara (it later passed through the hands of Paramount and Cedar Fair). For 2026 visitors, the high-fidelity distinction remains important: the California park is currently owned by Six Flags following its 2024 merger with Cedar Fair, but it is slated to close within the next decade as the land was sold to Prologis, while the Illinois park continues to thrive as a high-fidelity flagship of the Six Flags chain.

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Other prohibited items include speakers, chairs, glass of any kind (except perfume bottles), food (except for special dietary needs), water guns, luggage, prescription drugs (unless in original packaging), weapons, bottled or canned beverages (except sealed bottles of water), hard-side coolers, beach umbrellas, ...

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While Cedar Fair plans to eventually close the park by 2033, the land rental agreement is a six-year lease through 2028 that gives Prologis the option of extending it another five years.

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If you are looking for things to do near San Jose, Great America has you covered with more than 60 rides, thrilling roller coasters, kid-sized fun in Planet Snoopy, and South Bay Shores waterpark – the only amusement park in Northern California that has a waterpark included with park admission.

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The six flags comes from the six nations that have governed Texas during its history. These flags include Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. When the park opened in 1961, it had themed areas for each flag.

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Due to rider restraint system requirements, guests of a larger size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, guests who exceed 6'2 or those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40 waistline or 52 chest.

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Top ways to experience California's Great America and nearby attractions. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 93% of travelers recommend this experience.

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states all of this is due to bring down the parks debt. The amusement park was sold for a total of 310 million from Bay Area buyer Prologis Inc. Cedat Fair said it first began looking into maximizing the value of its existing properties back in 2021. Thankfully people can still enjoy the park until the year 2033.

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