There’s something bittersweet about revisiting a place you haven’t been to in over a decade—especially when there’s talk of it shutting down for good. That’s exactly what led us to spend a full day at California’s Great America in Santa Clara. From nostalgic moments to unexpected thrills, our couples adventure turned into a memory we’re so glad we made time for.
August 4, 2025
There’s something bittersweet about revisiting a place you haven’t been to in over a decade—especially when there’s talk of it shutting down for good. That’s exactly what led us to spend a full day at California’s Great America in Santa Clara. From nostalgic moments to unexpected thrills, our couples adventure turned into a memory we’re so glad we made time for.
(For capturing moments like these, a small vlog camera can help you relive the thrills without the shaky footage.)
We kicked things off with a gentle ride on Whirligig—the perfect way to ease back into the park experience. It gave us just enough excitement to start the day without jumping straight into the more intense rides.
Our next stop was Maggie Browns for lunch using our dining pass wristbands, which were super convenient and hassle-free. We also grabbed a souvenir bottle with unlimited refills. If you're planning to stay the whole day, it's absolutely worth it.
(If you’re the kind of person who likes to stay hands-free, consider a lightweight fanny pack or small backpack for keeping your essentials close without slowing you down.)
We got into the rhythm quickly with a round of Redwood Rally Ride, followed by Pacific Gliders, which had barely any wait time—always a win. The longest wait of the day came with Psycho Mouse, but it was quirky and worth the patience.
Then came a personal favorite: Flight Deck. I remembered riding it years ago, and I was surprised at how fast and fun it still is. It definitely exceeded expectations!
Later in the day, we stopped by Burger Barn, where we hit a small snag: staff wouldn't accept our dining pass QR code from our phones. Thankfully, a supervisor explained that the wristbands were the required method—and once we switched over, things went smoothly. The burger? Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot.
(Pro tip: Keep your phone charged with a reliable portable power bank so you’re never caught off guard.)
To wrap up our ride experience, we braved The Demon, got more thrills than expected on Gold Striker, and ended with what might be our new favorite coaster: Patriot. It was fast, smooth, and the perfect ride to close out the day.
With rumors that California’s Great America might close in the near future, this trip felt extra special. It was a fun-filled day of food, rides, laughter, and a little nostalgia. If you haven’t been in a while—or ever—it’s absolutely worth making the trip before it’s gone.
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