A Guide to the Best Amusement Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area

Are you ready for heart-pounding excitement, high-speed thrills, and memories to last a lifetime? Look no further than the amusement parks in the San Francisco Bay Area! From thrilling roller coasters to exhilarating water rides, these attractions offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a local thrill-seeker or a family looking for a fun day out, the Bay Area has got you covered. So buckle up and let’s explore the best amusement parks in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Here are the CrawlSF picks for the best amusement parks in the San Francisco Bay Area.

California’s Great America (Santa Clara)

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California’s Great America is a premier amusement park featuring over 40 rides and attractions. This 100-acre park boasts a range of adrenaline-pumping roller coasters like the Gold Striker, RailBlazer, and Flight Deck, as well as family-friendly rides such as the Carousel Columbia and Barney Oldfield Speedway. Visitors can also cool off in the summertime at Boomerang Bay, the park’s super-awesome waterpark. Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind Mass Effect: New Earth, a 4D holographic experience based on the popular video game.

California’s Great America
Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Website: https://www.cagreatamerica.com/
Phone: (408) 988-1776

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo)

This 135-acre park offers a unique blend of thrilling rides, animal attractions, and live entertainment. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is home to some of the most popular roller coasters in the Bay Area, including Medusa, with its heart-stopping vertical loop, and the Joker, a hybrid coaster with a unique, twisting track (you won’t want to miss either of these rides if you take a trip to the park). Animal lovers can enjoy close encounters with dolphins, sea lions, and penguins, or even brave the park’s walk-through shark exhibit. For a spectacular show, catch the incredible Dolphin Discovery or Odin’s Temple of the Tiger.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Address: 1001 Fairgrounds Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589
Website: https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
Phone: (707) 644-4000

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz)

This historic seaside amusement park, located just a short drive from San Francisco, offers a perfect blend of classic and modern attractions. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is home to the Giant Dipper, a beloved wooden roller coaster that has been thrilling riders since 1924. For a unique experience, try the Haunted Castle dark ride or the Sky Glider, which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The park also features an indoor arcade, mini-golf, and laser tag, ensuring entertainment for all ages.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Address: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: https://beachboardwalk.com/
Phone: (831) 423-5590

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park (Gilroy)

Designed for families with young children, Gilroy Gardens offers a variety of gentle rides and attractions in a beautiful garden setting. The park’s signature attraction is the Circus Trees, a collection of unusually shaped trees that have been carefully sculpted over time. Little ones will love the park’s themed areas, such as the South County Backroads, which features rides inspired by the local agricultural history, and the Monarch Garden, a greenhouse filled with butterflies. Don’t miss the park’s water play areas. With an average high temperature of 88 degrees in Gilroy during July and August, it’s the perfect spot to cool off on hot summer days.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Address: 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy, CA 95020
Website: https://www.gilroygardens.org/
Phone: (408) 840-7100

Pixieland Amusement Park (Concord)

Pixieland Amusement Park is a charming, pint-sized park designed for younger children. With a variety of rides like the Pixieland Express train, the Red Baron Airplanes, and the Frog Hopper, there is something for every young adventurer. The park also offers a selection of classic fairground games and an on-site café serving up family favorites like hot dogs, popcorn, and cotton candy.

Pixieland Amusement Park
Address: 2740 E Olivera Rd, Concord, CA 94519
Website: https://www.pixieland.com/
Phone: (925) 676-9612