California’s Great America, a beloved amusement park in Santa Clara, will close its gates for good after more than 50 years of operation. The park, owned by Six Flags, announced that it will not renew its land lease, which is set to expire in June 2028.
The park’s final celebratory season is scheduled to kick off in March 2027 and conclude on Labor Day, offering one last chance for generations of Bay Area families to experience its classic attractions.
Among the iconic attractions set to be remembered is the steel roller coaster, which recently experienced a revival after Six Flags acquired the ride from the now-closed Fun Spot America Atlanta.
The Patriot roller coaster takes riders through a 360-degree loop during a preview ride at California’s Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, California. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group via Getty Images)
“The Farewell Season is an opportunity for generations of Bay Area guests to return, spend time with family and friends, and revisit the attractions and traditions that have made the park in Santa Clara, California such a meaningful part of the community,” said Dave Vosejpka, park manager of California’s Great America.
The closure marks the end of an era that began in 1976, when the park originally opened as Marriott’s Great America. For decades, the park operated on public land until Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. purchased the 112 acres beneath the attraction in 2019 for approximately $150 million.
The closure marks the end of an era that began in 1976. (Kimberly White/Getty Images for California’s Great America)
Following the land purchase, Cedar Fair sold the property to real estate company Prologis for around $310 million while establishing a long-term lease agreement. Cedar Fair subsequently merged with Six Flags in 2024.
Signs of a potential shutdown had been emerging in recent years, with the park scaling back live entertainment and canceling major seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas celebrations.
The decision to close Great America aligns with parent company Six Flags’ broader strategy, which earlier this year saw the sale of seven other amusement parks to EPR Properties.
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