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Mama Knows It All

May 19, 2014 By brandijeter 13 Comments

Best Day Ever At California Great America

Filed Under: California Fun, California Living, Family Tagged With: family, Family, Things To Do

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The Best Day Ever at California Great America

This past weekend, Terrence had to work, so Ayva and I had a fun little Mommy/Daughter mini-getaway. We headed about 35 miles south of Oakland to Santa Clara and California Great America where we had a seriously fun time! Now, I’m not big on amusement parks. I’m a scaredy cat, and rollercoasters don’t do it for me. Ayva isn’t that adventurous when it comes to rides, either, so I figured we’d stay at California Great America for a couple of of hours and head on home  once we exhausted all of the mild rides. I was so wrong, y’all! Oh my goodness, Ayva and I had so much fun! We stayed at the park for 6 hours, and totally could have stayed at least another 4 more.

Sally's Love Buggies

Planet Snoopy

California Great America is in its 38th year, and even though there are a ton of new attractions, there’s still a really sweet, quaint feel about the park. Everything is modern and clean, though, it’s just the aura of the park (and the kindness of all of the staff!) that put me in a different era. Ayva loved that the Peanuts gang are the official California Great America mascots, and couldn’t get enough of Charlie Brown and his friends. Usually tentative around characters, she ran right up to Linus like they were old friends. Here’s a mom confession: I don’t even think Ayva had seen any Charlie Brown show ever. Of course, I rectified that as soon as we got home so she could get to know all of the characters she fell in love with at the park. 

California Great America

California Great America

There are 2 different areas inside of California Great America that really cater to little kids. Planet Snoopy and Kidzville combined have over 15 attractions to keep families with young children busy. That’s not even counting rides like the Carousel Columbia and Berserker in the larger park area. Ayva and I didn’t want to get wet, so we didn’t get on any water rides, but if it were hotter, we certainly would have been all over them! There were quite a few to choose from, even without Boomerang Bay Water Park being open until May 24th. One really cool thing to know is that when you pay to enter California Great America, it includes Boomerang Bay, so you get 2 for 1.

California Great America

Great America Carousel

Speaking of the price, y’all, it’s so affordable. Now, Ayva and I were invited as guests of the park to check it out, but even if we weren’t, the ticket prices are still really good. You can get a regular season pass for a little over $60, and a Gold Pass (with perks like early admission, etc.) for around $90. NINETY DOLLARS. For a season pass, y’all! Seriously, can you beat that?

Ayva talked about our day the entire ride home. She really did have the best day ever. We’re looking forward to heading back to California Great America a few more times throughout the summer. We definitely want to check out Boomerang Bay, the fireworks, and the Friday Family Flicks starting in June. This summer, if you’re looking for a family-friendly, affordable amusement park in the Bay Area where even your little ones can have fun, head down to Santa Clara and California Great America.

Great America Rollercoaster

rollercoaster

Great Adventure After The Ride

Disclosure: Many thanks to California Great America for inviting me to spend time at the park this weekend! I was not required to write this post, but the park is too great not to share. All opinions are my own. 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. OurOrdinaryLife® says

    May 19, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    What an incredibly fun day. I just love that last photo, too cute!!!

    Reply
    • BrandiJeter says

      May 25, 2014 at 4:52 am

      Thanks so much, @ourordinarylife:disqus! I know you know all about creating special moments. You do it all the time with your girls. It’s so important, right? 🙂

      Reply
  2. Sarah Mock says

    May 19, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    What a fun Mommy/Daughter day! The season pass prices are AWESOME!!! I would be asking for those for Christmas! (for me)

    Reply
    • BrandiJeter says

      May 25, 2014 at 4:52 am

      I hadn’t thought about the pass as Christmas presents! Super smart, @sarahmock:disqus!

      Reply
  3. Thien-Kim says

    May 19, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    Loving the before and after the ride photos! Looks like you had a blast!

    Reply
    • BrandiJeter says

      May 25, 2014 at 4:51 am

      We had so much fun, @thienkim:disqus. Ayva is STILL talking about it!

      Reply
  4. BernettaStyle says

    May 20, 2014 at 7:01 am

    This is too cute. We are actually going to Six Flags this Thursday. We are visiting their new waterpark. Your daughter is so adorable!

    Reply
    • BrandiJeter says

      May 25, 2014 at 4:51 am

      Thanks, Bernetta! I hope you all had a ball at Six Flags!

      Reply
  5. Notorious Spinks says

    May 24, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    Oh, love it. That last pic though. I wish we were in California because me and the girls would def be there.

    Reply
    • BrandiJeter says

      May 25, 2014 at 4:51 am

      I know, right, @notoriousspinks:disqus! It is the perfect park for elementary aged kids!

      Reply
  6. Joyce Brewer says

    May 25, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    Her face is hilarious after the ride. Good to know there’s an affordable amusement option in California. Those season passes sound like they’ll offer a lot of fun!

    Reply

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