The state is sadly saying goodbye to one of its longest-running amusement parks, as California’s Great America, a longtime entertainment destination in Santa Clara, has announced that 2027 will be its final season, ending more than five decades of summer outings, family celebrations, and roller coaster adventures.
Owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the park will welcome guests for one last season beginning in March 2027 before permanently closing on Labor Day, September 6, 2027. The announcement puts an end to years of uncertainty surrounding the property’s future, following a major real estate deal that changed ownership of the land.
What to expect during California’s Great America’s final season
The park’s final year will give guests one last chance to experience its signature attractions before the gates close for good. Six Flags plans to celebrate more than half a century of memories, welcoming longtime fans and first-time guests for one final round of rides and entertainment.
Among the attractions expected to operate during the final season are Gold Striker, the popular wooden roller coaster, Flight Deck (formerly known as Top Gun), Drop Tower, and the family-friendly Planet Snoopy. The adjacent South Bay Shores water park is also expected to welcome guests in 2027.
Why is California’s Great America closing?
The closure ultimately comes down to the property’s real estate ownership. In 2022, Cedar Fair sold the park’s 112-acre site to logistics real estate company Prologis for $310 million, while agreeing to lease the land back to continue operating the attraction.
The lease was set to expire in 2028, with an option for a five-year extension. Six Flags has decided not to exercise that option, meaning the park will close after its 2027 season.
A look back at the history of California’s Great America
The park, first opened in 1976 by the Marriott Corporation, was originally known as Marriott’s Great America. Its debut coincided with the United States’ bicentennial celebrations, and its themed areas paid tribute to different periods of American history.
Over the decades, it became a beloved regional destination and something of a NoCal equivalent to Disneyland, attracting generations of families from the region and beyond. Its iconic two-story Carousel Columbia, one of the park’s signature landmarks, and its collection of roller coasters helped establish its place in Bay Area entertainment history.
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