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
EXPLORE EVENTS
Upcoming San Francisco Events
19
September
2025
TOPS – Bury the Key Tour at The Fillmore
19
September
2025
North Mississippi Allstars at The Independent
20
September
2025
Real Neato Festival 2025
20
September
2025
Samia – The Bloodless Tour at The Fillmore
20
September
2025
Anella at The Independent
21
September
2025
The Symposium with John Myrtle at The Independent
22
September
2025
The Raveonettes with Poppy Jean Crawford at The Independent
24
September
2025
Cash Cobain – Party with Slizzy at The Fillmore
25
September
2025
The Waterboys at The Fillmore San Francisco
26
September
2025
The Lone Bellow 2025 Fall Tour at The Fillmore SF
26
September
2025
Yaya Bey with Bathe at The Independent
27
September
2025
David Archuleta with Alexandra John at The Independent
27
September
2025
Robin Trower at The Fillmore San Francisco
28
September
2025
Mon Rovia at The Fillmore San Francisco
29
September
2025
Duckwrth – All American Freak Show Tour with De’Wayne at The Independent
29
September
2025
Spacey Jane at The Fillmore
30
September
2025
10 Years with Nerv- The Independent
30
September
2025
An Evening With JAMES at The Fillmore
01
October
2025
Gavin James at The Independent
01
October
2025
The Chameleons at The Fillmore San Francisco
02
October
2025
The Passionate Ones Tour / Nourished by Time / with Zsela at The Independent
03
October
2025
Diggin’ Dirt at The Independent SF
04
October
2025
An Evening With The String Cheese Incident at The Fillmore
04
October
2025
Model/Actriz – The Independent
05
October
2025
Cochise at The Independent SF
07
October
2025
Night Tapes at The Independent San Francisco
08
October
2025
múm / with Mr. Silla – The Independent
09
October
2025
Jeremy Jordan & Age of Madness / with Homestyle Dinner Rolls- The Independent
09
October
2025
Fleshwater at The Fillmore San Francisco
10
October
2025
Balu Brigada – Portal (Early Show) at The Independent
San Francisco Events
No Upcoming Events Avaialble
Holiday Insights