Paramount's Great America

Paramount's Great America is an amusement park that has a theme park as well as a water park (Boomerang Bay)! It features several roller coasters (featuring Invertigo) as well as other rides. There is also a carnival setting where you can play games. There are live shows and plenty of fun for kids (as a kids park is also available). Kids can meet there favorite Nickelodeon characters too!

Tickets prices are as follows: right now Season Passes are available for just $49.99 (this includes admission into the park all season long), regular pricing includes adult admission for $53.99, junior/senior admission for $35.99, 2-day tickets for $59.99 (this is for admission 2 days in a row and must be used by the same person), and there is also a ticket available for $29.99 that includes admission after 4 p.m. that is only available at the front gate.

There are also group rates. Opening day for the regular 2009 season is March 29th, 2009. The park returns to opening for weekends only on August 29th, 2009.

For more info, please go to http://www.cagreatamerica.com/.

Marin Headlands

The Marin Headlands is an excellent place to go if you are interested in relaxing. It features a tour of the headlands that includes a viewing of the lighthouse located on the premises (you must be sure that you are not scared of heights though; for the bridge you have to walk across to reach the lighthouse is very high over the bay waters). There are hostels you may rent to stay in as well. You may do fishing, hiking, sunbathing on the beach (with a portion that has black sand), horse back riding, and much, much more! There are also places to take great photos including an old military base and the Golden Gate bridge.

The headlands are open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day (the lighthouse tour is not open if it is raining severely). The best part about this location is that it is absolutely free admission!

The Marin Headlands are located in Marin just off of the Golden Gate bridge. For more info such as directions, etc. please call (415)331-1540 or go to http://www.nps.gov/.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is a place you can go to have fun in the sun! It features a beach, restaurants, an arcade, shops, games, and rides! Admission is completely free!! (There is a cost for rides.) The main featured ride at the boardwalk is the Giant Dipper. It is a wooden roller coaster and has been at the park since 1924 when the park first opened. It is the 6th oldest roller coaster in the U.S. and goes 55 mph. There are also occasional concert events on the beach if you like music.

The park is open during the summer everyday. (Weekends only during off-peak months. Check website for hours.) An Endless Summer Season Pass is offered for unlimited rides all summer season for just $68.95 (plus tax). There is also an unlimited ride pass that also includes 3 attractions good for one full day of fun for $36.95 (plus tax). An unlimited ride wristband that is good for one day of fun is just $16.95 (plus tax). They also offer a 60-ticket strip for $39.95 (rides range from 3 to 6 tickets at 75 cents per ticket). So try it out if you enjoy fun in the sun!!! For more info go to http://www.beachboardwalk.com/