California’s Great America
The all-new South Bay Shores water park opens in 2020
WHETHER IT’S GLIDING DOWN towering water slides, splashing in lagoons or lounging in poolside cabanas, there’s more fun on tap in 2020 at California’s Great America.
In early summer, the region’s biggest amusement park is opening South Bay Shores, a transformed water park. It replaces Boomerang Bay, expanding Great America’s water park with eight attractions and double the play space.
Wild Slides & Tide Pools
The biggest addition is the six-story Pacific Surge tower, where riders have the choice of three wild slides: Shark Reef Plunge that drops into a near-vertical free fall then swooshes through loops and curves; Feeding Frenzy, five-story tubes that whisk riders through enclosed tunnels and twists and turns before plummeting them into a sunny pool; and the even more thrilling Barracuda, a faster slide with an even steeper plunge.
More tame is Tide Pool, a lagoon with eight slides and shallow play area. It’s just steps away from a sun deck with cabanas and lounge chairs where families can unwind and watch kids having fun in the water.
New Facilities & Spine-tingling Roller Coasters
South Bay Shores also features a new entrance, changing and showering rooms and two casual restaurants. Pier ’76 Cafe dishes up fresh fish tacos and waffle fries and Sand Bar serves food and adult beverages. Each have shaded areas with tables.
The 100-acre California’s Great America, part of Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., draws thousands each year to Santa Clara. For little ones there’s a carousel, live familyoriented shows and a variety of rides, some inspired by Peanuts characters.
Since its opening in 1976, it’s also been known for the adrenaline rush of its spinetingling roller coasters.
The Patriot, a floorless coaster introduced in 2017, immediately drew big crowds willing to ride up to 91-foot heights before plummeting into a 360-degree loop. And, in 2018, Railblazer made its debut, wowing coaster lovers with its breathtaking face-down, 90-degree drop and twists through a zero gravity roll.