This was the last stop on my 2 day vacation before we went home…read more It was a Very big park with a lot of different attractions and exhibits and other things to see and do! My friend and I went on a few of the rides. They're definitely a lot of fun when you're able to get on them! Very fun and enjoyable experiences! The workers are very good at what they do as well! Very friendly and professional! They were kind enough to allow my friend and I to stay on one of the rides when there was no one else in line, even on a Saturday! We also went to many different exhibits, like the shark area and the sea lions. They were all really cool to see and watch swim around. My friend pointed out for many of the animal exhibits that they were way too small for the animals and could be problematic, leading to things like stress and negative behaviors. While I'm not too sure about all of them, some of them I definitely agree with, like the sea lions, the sting rays, and the lions. There was a few attractions that were shut down that was very disappointing to see, especially the otter enclosure which was one of the main things I was looking forward to. Overall, it was a nice experience with a lot of fun things to see and do. I wouldn't recommend going on a weekend if you want to go on the rides as hour + long lines started appearing everywhere after about 2 or so, I'm still surprised our line was empty when we went on the water ride when we did! However, even with that, I still recommend this place for sure! But I hope they will give those animals some bigger enclosures someday.

It's been a long time since I've been here and boy it has changed. Now before I go further let me…read moresay that I am not a theme park person. I'm more zoos national parks, and museums than a theme park guy. Good things; Theme Park Rides: All the rides we went on were great( we went on a few of the smaller rides( Monkey Business and Thrilla Gorilla) as well as the water ride (White Water Safari). It was awesome plus at Water Safari they had a good walk in drier that got most of our closes dried off. Animal Attractions; The Shark Experience was a cool aquarium space with a nice tank for several shark species. Me and my friend had a lot fun going through it. Rainforest Trails was a beautiful greenhouse full of dozens of different types of butterflies. It was so beautiful seeing them flutter through the mini jungle. Aside from the sloth habitat being a bit small it was a good attraction. Among the most impressive habitats we saw was the cheetah habitat, there was plenty of space for the five cats on display with some extensive view of the enclosure. Very beautiful. Improvement needed: In there Marine life area all the animals we saw( California Sea Lion, Harbor Seal, Stingrays, and African Penguins) could us some new, expanded habitats. They all appear like they were built back in the 1980s and need to be updated. While at the Stingray touch pool I saw multiple individuals that appeared to have injuries on the side of their fins from with each other or from rubbing against the side of the pool to much, I am not sure. Many of the larger animals( Lions, Cougars, Wolves, and Giraffe) could definitely benefit from larger and more natural habitat similar to those at nearby zoos such as the Oakland Zoo, San Francisco Zoo, or Sacramento Zoo. I was a bit disappointed with these habitat after seeing those that house some of the smaller animals that live at the park (Rainforest Trail, the Cheetah habitat and Shark Expeditions. I can understand that theme park rides eat up a lot of cost but the animals could use some bigger habitat spaces Over all I had a good time but I hope the animals I mentioned get better habitats

ALL ABOARD! Sonoma…read moreTrain Station is a delightful little hideaway that feels like stepping back in time. It's a perfect spot for families and train lovers alike, featuring authentic vintage trains, a charming gift shop, and plenty of hands-on fun for kids. Whether you're a local or visiting, it's one of those rare places that feels special, where you can truly relax and enjoy the simple joys of a day well-spent. We discovered it thanks to my dad's passion for trains, and it quickly became a favorite. The station is well-maintained and easy to navigate, with convenient parking nearby. While the café we visited isn't located inside the train station itself, it's close by and offers tasty, reasonably priced treats, perfect for taking a break and refueling. It's a wonderful place to connect with others, explore history, and make memories. If you're looking for a unique outing that's off the beaten path, Sonoma Train Station is absolutely worth visiting. A Content Train Enthusiast & Father

Fun in a go once and done kind of way. Very pricey. The train to the petting zoo costs $9.75 per…read moreperson. 1 and over must have a ticket. They have 5 other rides- Ferris wheel, roller coaster, helicopter, pirate ship and a twister ride. An adult must accompany a child if they are under the height limit even if they just stand by the child. Each ride is $4.25 or 5 tickets for $18.75. No outside food is permitted. It can be sweltering so be sure to bring water. Water very pricy- tiny bottle is $1.50. (Many people did bring outside food)

Review #23 for 2026…read more Went here over the summer during a trip up north for Memorial Day weekend. We had passes for Magic Mountain which were valid at any park owned by the company. Parking was really easy and really, any parking spot of close the the entrance. I had a prestige pass and so I literally was allowed to park right at the entrance. Checking in was easy and security went smoothly. I had my 2 year old with me and I did bring him some snacks in case he was being picky that day, not a lot, just a couple piece of chocolate which shouldn't be a big deal. They made it awkward by yelling "hey, picky kid here, can they bring these in?" to the head security guy. He told them it was fine, and that he didn't care about a couple piece of chocolate. I felt like they didn't need to yell it out loud in a line full of people. Other than that, security check in was pretty quick. The park is fairly small so it's really easy to get around. They provide life jackets of all sizes and I wish I knew that before because we brought our own. There is a lazy pool, a wave pool, and a couple kiddie areas, both which have seating nearby. There are also multiple water slides. I only went to the kiddie area, the lazy pool, and the wave pool since my toddler is attached to my hip. I thought they were all great. My husband and brother went on the slides and they said it was really fun. There's a handful of food options. The pizza was terrible. We also got the tenders and the cheeseburger which were average. Not terrible but also not great. We're season pass holders with dining plans that work at all the parks, so we get food at every park we go to since it's included. If you were to pay for your own food, meals are on average $18, so roughly $20 with tax. For $20, unless you're kids are starving and hangry, I would say save your money and go out to eat after. Drinks are also about $6 a cup, but again, we have an all parks drink plan so we did not have to worry about paying for drinks either. Alcohol is expensive at about $20 a drink. Other food items I saw were hot dogs and grilled chicken sandwich which my brother said was dried. This park was not too crowded, unlike down in southern california. We got there at around opening, but there were plenty of chairs open through the day. The wave pool was really fun and my baby boy loved it. He never wanted to leave! The lazy pool was cool too. There are dips at certain points and the warning is not very clear so I was surprised a few times before I picked up on it. They have tubes for rent, which my husband got, but at the end of the day we never really used it. There are also a couple gift shops with supplies if you forgot them... but it is more pricey! Would I come back. Yes, I had a great time here. We easily spent a whole day here and it's not crazy packed. It was very easy to get to. I just wish this park was closer so we could visit more often!

Reviews for summer 2026 are not looking good! Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Concord has been around…read morea very long time, so I get that things might be a little old and run down. We went for our grandson's birthday celebration with his friends. Thankfully, my son rented a cabana facing the wave pool. There was more private space to lounge and relax. I highly recommend getting a cabana for that reason. Otherwise, you'll be sitting in rows of plastic chairs. No outside food is allowed in the waterpark, so food lines are long. Food and drink prices are high for the quality you get. Some people go to their cars and eat food they've packed from home. We ate before we arrived, then snacked while we were there. But honestly, no one searched our bags upon entering. We watched kids this time, so we've never gone on any slides. The lazy river was super crowded and there weren't many floaters available. Most of the people were just walking through it, and the water didn't look clean. It was overall an okay experience, particularly because we had a cabana with lounge chairs, a table for eating, and some shade. It would be nice if the cabanas had water misters.

I had to show our favorite theme park some love before they close next season. (insert tears here)…read more Great America has given our family so many wonderful memories over the years... We are truly so disheartened that they are planning to turn this cite into more housing after next season. *** Please write to the Santa Clara mayor to try to Save Great America! *** The property is supposed to be designated to entertainment so they shouldn't even be able to convert the land into housing in the first place! Some major city corruption on every level is clearly going on. Back to the happy... My daughter just turned 10 and we made a point to ride every coaster in the park. I would love it if I could do the same with my son in a few short years. I'm sure many families must feel the same way about Great America. We need a theme park to keep some fun in the Bay Area.

I came to California's Great America because I have a Six Flags season pass and thought it would be…read morefun to go down memory lane. I also visited on the 4th of July to celebrate a 50th birthday, which made the day feel extra special. It was a cool experience overall and definitely brought back some childhood memories. That said, I can also see why the park is on its way out. The whole place feels much more geared toward really young kids -- around 12 and under. My daughter has outgrown most of the rides, so there wasn't as much for her to enjoy. The upside was that the lines were pretty short, which was nice. There were a few things I didn't love, like some of the overcharged pay-to-play rides, but the food prices were actually reasonable and the gift shops were fun to browse. The worst part of the day was the parking situation. It was extremely disorganized and chaotic -- no clear line structure, multiple closures, and no one directing traffic in a meaningful way. I ended up stuck in the parking lot along with a lot of other frustrated guests for over two hours. That alone almost ruined the whole experience. Overall, I had a nice time reliving some old memories, but the park definitely has some major operational issues. If you're going for nostalgia or have younger kids, it might be worth it -- just be prepared for potential parking headaches.

Went again. It's been awhile for me. I loved the Easter celebration. The landscaping looked fresh…read moreclean and beautiful. Everything was blossoming or already blossomed. The staff was consistent with rules and using the measuring stick appropriately. Easter egg hunt also was fun.

What an amazing experience! We took the kids for the Halloween event. We got to the park at opening…read moreand got to enjoy every ride multiple times with mostly zero wait time. After 5, the trick or treating started, with stations set up all over the park. The kids loved it. The thing that surprised me the most was how beautifully landscaped this park is, with loads of trees providing tons of shade, flowers everywhere, a body of water in the middle of the park. Even the kids commented on how nice it felt. My biggest complaint would be the cost of food items, but it's to be expected I guess. Either way, we hope to return soon.

Mad Tea Party is an all adult annual event. We were on the…read morecover of their marketing flyer this year and it was a pleasure meeting the staff. This event is festive, drinks are delish, very good choices for food, and an awesome place to meet people and vibe out

My 7-year old LOVED this place, so that alone makes it 5 stars. For me personally, I'd say 3…read morestars, when factoring in its easy location and not having to wait in lines. So let's preface this with, my daughter corresponds with her "very own fairy" (aka. me--a very involved parent who also celebrates her half birthday, commits to elaborate elf on the shelf surprises for a prolonged period each year, is her Girl Scouts troop leader, etc.). She's been asking her fairy to take her to Neverland. The fairy responded "not yet", and instead supplied what my daughter referred to as "free" tickets" (online $20/pp, or $139/annual which includes an adult and 3 kids) to Fairyland the next day. We took the Bart to 19th St Oakland from San Francisco, which was SUPER convenient (daughter loves the train, and I hate driving in traffic), thought a bit of a walk in the Oakland heat/humidity. Also the lake that it's located on, absolutely reeks of sewage--I don't understand how people purposely walk/jog along the edges; but at least you can't really smell it from Fairyland. Just walk on the upper sidewalk or across the street if you share in my disgust. You'll get plenty of cute photos. The few rides they have (4 rides total) are very cute, had no lines on a summer weekday, and only accommodate heights between 36"-54" (except for the Jolly Trolley train which is all heights though adults need to watch their heads when squeezing in and out). The height restriction is very important to know before you go, to ensure your kid isn't disappointed. Wear sunscreen. No mosquitoes, which I was concerned about given the standing lake water and humidity. There are outdoor sinks with soap and antibacterial to wash your hands periodically, which I appreciated. As expected, a high priced gift shop, though it's stocked primarily with smaller toys, so if you're roped into purchasing something it won't break the bank. The single restaurant counter is actually quite perfect! Imaginibbles serves super cute, kid friendly healthy food that is reasonably priced at ~$7/entree. Smaller portions, but in my opinion, perfect for a theme park. The reusable cup ($8, includes one refill) is color changing when cold, very sturdy for a plastic cup, and you can fill with strawberry, white peach or watermelon lemonade that isn't overly sweet. You are also allowed to bring your own food, and there were plenty of folks picnicking on the large grassy area. Attractions are definitely old (paint missing throughout), and not cleaned well. Spiderwebs galore, particularly in areas that are meant to only be looked at, such as the Alice statue that you can see through a window in the Alice in Wonderland tunnel. A quick broom sweep would do wonders! There are a number of cute smaller animals, like chickens, a bearded dragon, 2 donkeys, and a land tortoise. These areas conversely appear relatively well maintained, which is fantastic for both the animals and to keep smells minimal. There is also a pressed wood town area with a slide where the kids can run around and climb into the different buildings, which seemed to be a favorite of many kids. There is a long ~30min puppet show (daily ~11am, 2pm) that changes seasonally, and somehow manages to keep most kids' attention. Magic key ($3) is an easy souvenir (colors change each day, so theoretically you can collect them), and used to hear music/stories through various boxes around the park. Though boxes are staticky (older), and some have bolts sticking out that prevent your key from being turned and thus the stories/music to play. My daughter quickly tired of them anyway, but she loves treasures like the "magic" key, so it was money well spent. There is also a hand-crank penny presser (51 cents) in the gift shop, so bring some change. One disappointment of Fairyland, is that there are literally no "fairies" anywhere to be found. You'd think they might have a few tiny fairy houses situated out of reach, or even fairy lights in trees to simulate fairies. Overall, fun filled and worth the ticket price. Just be sure your kid is in the height range for rides!

We took our nephews for some afternoon fun & had a pretty good time!…read more Cordial & welcoming staff Nice selection of games for the location's size. Laser tag was fun but the space is small. It's perfect for 10 & under. Go-karts were fun but not very fast. They also have mini golf & water bumper cars. We had fun and enjoyed ourselves. #GoSee

Growing up in the Bay Area my family and have been to Boomers a few times but a lot more during the…read moresummer of 2026. During our visits we had the pleasure of being greeted by a new employee named Taylor. Taylor has always remained calm and professional especially during the busiest hours and days of business. Taylors happy, pleasant and helpful demeanor is very welcoming.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is always a fun time! I've been coming here since I was a kid, and…read moreit's still a great place to spend the day. This time, we were back for my cousin's bachelor party, which made for another fun memory here. There's something about the rides, games, and the beach that makes this place enjoyable for all ages. Whether you're visiting for the first time or coming back as I have over the years, it's a classic Santa Cruz destination.

I always like to preface my reviews with the fact that I grew up in the Bay Area, San Jose born and…read moreraised, and I'm an elder millennial, which means I remember life here before all the tech people invaded our Valley of the Heart's Delight. That said, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is STILL pure California magic, even if it's now overcrowded and overpriced. There's something so special about this place, from the old school rides like the Pirate Ship, the Giant Dipper, the arcade aka Casino, to the beach, the food, and that perfect mix of nostalgia and fun. It somehow still feels like stepping back in time, and experiencing it with my toddler recently made it even more memorable. We had the BEST day and will absolutely be back. My one complaint, aside from too many people: HOW are the Boardwalk and surrounding merch shops not fully stocked with The Lost Boys gear?! This is literally Santa Carla! Give us the T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, posters--all of it. The movie is such an iconic part of Santa Cruz pop culture, and they are seriously missing an opportunity here. What are you guys thinking at The Walk?! Otherwise, such a fantastic, nostalgic California experience.

Cute park for my 2 year old!…read more It's great to know that the toddlers don't get left out of the fun here- there are enough rides that will entertain them until nap time. Upon entrance there's a height chart to see what rides your child qualifies for. You buy tickets to ride the rides - I recommend getting a bulk pack for extra savings. Tickets can roll over to future visits and don't expire. They have fair-style food - the hand dipped corn dog was yummy! My toddler enjoyed the airplane, car and the tea cup rides. Recommend going early as it fills up toward the afternoon.

This is a great amusement park for younger kids. We took our 2 and 4 year old kids here and they…read moreboth LOVED it! The train, cars, and airplanes were faves. They were excited to try the roller coaster, but they did not end up liking it. The snack shack is great too and they have a variety of options for kids including pretzels, applesauce, and other foods. The ticket system was interesting and I think an overall admissions process might be better. We stayed for about an hour and a half and rode almost every ride twice. Great customer service too!

Fun! Especially the little kiddy rides that my son can ride. He's Just at the height limit and he…read moreloved it. The park itself isn't big, plenty of parking and it's very chill. We went on a Friday and it was quite empty, really nice actually. Plenty of entertainment for my toddler. There's a small zoo section too. I like that it wasn't too big because it wasn't overwhelming.

Happy Hollow has been a fixture in San Jose since forever. If you haven't visited Happy Hollow, you…read moremust! I have visited Happy Hollow many, many times over the last 20 years. It has only gotten better! Even now, as an adult, I was still able to enjoy many aspects of Happy Hollow. It's great for younger children, and small groups, and would probably be terrific for birthday parties. When I go to Happy Hollow, I like to also visit the Japanese garden and History Park, since they are within walking distance and both are very interesting places. When you go to Happy Hollow, I would consider buying a membership, because it does have some reciprocity with other facilities and if you end up returning to the zoo, it pays for itself. Have a great time at Happy Hollow!