California's Great America celebrates 50 years

The Santa Clara amusement park marks a major milestone this season

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:10pm

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California's Great America, the Santa Clara amusement park, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The park first opened its gates on March 20, 1976, with over two dozen rides including the iconic double-decker Columbia carousel and the Turn of the Century rollercoaster. Over the decades, the park has evolved, with new rides and attractions added, ownership changes, and the replacement of the original Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes characters with the Peanuts gang.

Why it matters

California's Great America's 50th anniversary is a significant milestone for the Bay Area, as the park has been a beloved destination for generations of families. The park's survival and evolution over the decades is a testament to its ability to adapt and cater to changing consumer preferences, even as the region has undergone significant changes. However, the park's future remains uncertain, as its current lease is set to expire in 2027, raising questions about its long-term viability.

The details

When the park first opened in 1976, admission was $7.95 for adults and $6.95 for kids, with parking costing $1. Today, a daily ticket is $85 at the gate or $45 online, while a season pass is $85 and includes parking. The park has changed ownership several times, from Marriott to the city of Santa Clara, and then to various entertainment companies before being acquired by Cedar Fair, which merged with Six Flags in 2024. Many of the original rides are still in operation, though some have been renamed or replaced by newer, more thrilling attractions.

  • California's Great America opened on March 20, 1976.
  • The park did not open in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this the 50th season since its opening.
  • In 2019, Cedar Fair bought the 112 acres of land beneath the park, and in 2022 it was sold to Prologis, which agreed to lease back the land for 6 to 11 years.
  • Last June, Six Flags CFO Brian Witherow said the park would close after the 2027 season if the company doesn't extend the lease.

The players

Bill Marriott

Former CEO of Marriott International, who was present when the park first opened.

J.W. Marriott

Founder of Marriott International, who was also present when the park first opened.

John Poimiroo

A former employee who served as the park's publicist until the early 1980s and will be on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary.

Brian Witherow

Six Flags CFO, who stated that the park would close after the 2027 season if the company doesn't extend the lease.

Prologis

The company that acquired the 112 acres of land beneath the park in 2022 and agreed to lease it back to Cedar Fair for 6 to 11 years.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

What’s next

The future of California's Great America remains uncertain, as its current lease is set to expire in 2027. If Six Flags does not extend the lease, the park may close after the 2027 season.

The takeaway

California's Great America's 50th anniversary is a testament to the park's resilience and ability to adapt to changing times, even as the region around it has undergone significant changes. However, the park's long-term future remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges faced by legacy attractions in the face of shifting consumer preferences and real estate pressures.