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California’s Great America in Santa Clara makes my list of the best California amusement parks. Its over 40 rides and attractions appeal to thrill seekers of all levels.

There are reliable ways to buy California’s Great America tickets at discounted prices through authorized sellers, allowing you to save money and avoid paying gate prices.

Our team researches where to find deals and helps guide people toward the best admission option for their trips, be it individual tickets, sightseeing passes, or group discounts.

Key Takeaways

  • There’s currently a 50% off Groupon for 2-Day tickets!
  • Since the Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger discounted admission to these parks is hard to come by.
  • This is because they prefer you to purchase directly.
  • If you’re sightseeing in the Bay Area, Go City San Francisco includes Great America and other popular attractions.

Gate Prices for California’s Great America Tickets

California’s Great America admission tickets are offered in multiple types: Daily Tickets, Two-Day Tickets, Season Passes, After 3 p.m. Tickets, and Group Tickets.

From here, you can add various optional add-ons, such as Fast Lane, All-Day Dining, and holiday tickets, such as WinterFest.

California’s Great America uses dynamic pricing online. This means that the price rises and falls depending on expected occupancy. Gate prices are higher than you’ll see online, but you need to know what they are to understand potential savings.

Current gate pricing breaks down like this:

  • Daily Tickets: $80/ages 3+
  • Two-Day Tickets: $160/ages 3+
  • Ages 0-2 are always free

WinterFest: Every year, from November to January, the park transforms into a winter wonderland holiday festival. Activities include live shows, crafted hot chocolate, sending letters to the North Pole, and ice skating in front of the Carousel Columbia.

1. Go City San Francisco Pass

You can save up to 50% off admission to top San Francisco attractions, including California’s Great America, Exploratorium, and San Francisco Zoo, by using the Go San Francisco sightseeing pass. Here’s how it works:

  • Choose the pass option that best suits you (All-Inclusive or Explorer) and buy your pass in advance.
  • Access your pass on a mobile device or print it at home.
  • Show the pass at any eligible attraction, and you’re in for free.

The All-Inclusive passes are available in 1, 2, 3, and 5-day options, each at different prices. You can visit all the attractions included once throughout the duration of your pass. You can use the Explorer Pass to see any 2, 3, 4, or 5 included attractions within a 60-day timeframe.

Ensure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy.

SAVE WITH GO CITY SAN FRANCISCO

See also: 10 Go San Francisco Pass Benefits For Sightseeing

2. California’s Great America Online for All Other Tickets

If you need a meal bundle or any other special tickets, buy online at California’s Great America, where you’ll find prices such as:

  • Daily Admission: From $42

3. Groupon Sale on 2-Day Tickets

I was tipped off that we should periodically look at Groupon for Cedar Fair parks, including California’s Great America tickets.

Right now, there’s a flash sale on Groupon that cuts ticket prices by up to 50%. I like that the price includes tax and there are no added fees at checkout.

  • 2-Day Admission: from $79.99

Tickets are good through July 31, 2025, and kids 2 and under are free.

4. California’s Great America Vacation Packages

Combine your hotel reservation with discounted tickets to California’s Great America for even greater savings. Plus, enjoy complimentary breakfast and parking at many of these accommodations.

Right now, the best place for this is through California’s Great America directly.

5. Season Passes

If you’re planning more than one visit, a Season Pass can pay for itself quickly. California’s Great America currently offers Silver and Gold Pass options for 2025.

  • Silver Pass – from $89
    Includes unlimited visits through Labor Day, access to South Bay Shores, free general parking, and limited-time perks like free Coca-Cola® on every visit (through July 10).
  • Gold Pass – from $105
    Includes everything in the Silver Pass plus unlimited visits to Gilroy Gardens, Fall and Winter events, and eligibility for two free Pre-K Passes (ages 3–5).

All passes include 10% off food and merchandise, Bring-a-Friend discounts, and Pass Perks rewards.

If you have the Gold pass, you can avail the All Park Passport Add-On for $200. This gives you entry and parking at all Six Flags and legacy Cedar Fair parks, plus many Gold-level perks at other parks in the network.

6. Free Pre-K Passes

If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 5, register them by August 1, 2025, for a free Pre-K Pass. With this pass, eligible kids will receive unlimited visits for the 2025 season, including access to Bay Shores Waterpark, The Great Pumpkin Fest, and WinterFest.

You will need to first purchase a Silver or Gold Pass first in order to activate a Pre-K pass.

A little girl stands with Snoopy at California's Great America.

7. Military and First Responder Discounts

Active and retired military personnel and veterans as well as first responders can receive a discount on front gate pricing on single-day admission. Take advantage of these military discounts online.

Discount tickets start at $37, and can be used to purchase up to six tickets for families and friends.

8. Group Discounts

A group discount is available for purchases of 15 – 99 tickets when purchased in advance online. Group discounts apply for regular admission and Winterfest tickets. Details are available on the park’s website.

9. Bring-A-Friend Tickets

If you hold a California’s Great America Season Pass, you can bring a friend starting at $35. Season Pass holders can purchase up to 6 bring-a-friend tickets.

What About Costco?

By all means, check Costco’s gift card and ticket section in your local store to see if they sell cheap tickets for California’s Great America. You will likely not find them, as they’ve gotten out of the business of selling theme park tickets. They only sell vacation packages to major theme parks like Disney World.

Important California’s Great America Tips

Here’s what to know before you go.

Check California’s Great America Hours

When planning a visit to California’s Great America, be sure to check their calendar for opening dates and hours. They suggest checking hours on the morning of your visit as they may shift a little on open days.

Read the Terms and Conditions

Before purchasing California’s Great America tickets, be sure to read all terms and conditions which should outline expiration dates, refund policies, and transfer policies. Some tickets will not be usable on days with special events like Halloween Haunt or Winterfest.

Consider Upgrading With Fast Lane

You can upgrade your ticket before you go or at the park to include a Fast Lane wristband, which allows you to bypass the regular lines on 18 rides, including the RailBlazer roller coaster and Gold Striker. It starts at $59/day.

California’s Great America Directions and Parking

California’s Great America is in San Francisco’s South Bay area in Santa Clara, California. (The new football stadium home to the San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, was subsequently built adjacent to it.)

California’s Great America Address
4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054

Of course, you can drive to Santa Clara, but you can also take multiple forms of public transportation to California’s Great America.

Parking at California’s Great America currently costs $30 per car per day and $40 per RV when purchased in advance on the website.

It’s Not Just Roller Coasters

While the park is famous for thrill rides, young kids will enjoy meeting the Peanuts gang at Planet Snoopy, experiencing live entertainment, going to the carousel, and more.

Even the new South Bay Shores water park (formerly Boomerang Bay water park) will feature water slides for small children and mellow experiences like a lazy river.

The Gold Striker roller coaster flies down the wooden track.

See also how to buy:

How do you buy discounted tickets for California’s Great America?

Katie Dillon
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom and a travel advisor. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel), local connections, and content. Readers have access to her exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and luxury hotels perks. She shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both). Katie graduated from UC San Diego and is also a Disney Travel Agent.
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