With great surprise and excitement, California’s Great America announces a whole renovated section of the park will open May 26, 2023, including a new ride.

From hiking and rafting amid the redwoods, soaring above the coastline’s sandy beaches, cruising along wonderful scenic roadways, to enjoying the great fresh food and wine grown in its vast agricultural fields, Northern California has so much to see and do. NorCal County Fair will be just that: An all-new ride, a retheming of a beloved attraction, a renovated games gallery and a fully upgraded picnic area for more fun in the sun.

Barney Oldfield Speedway gets a makeover and a new name! Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally will return with a fresh new-look and scenic updates. Drivers are transported back in time with cars replicating the earliest roadsters on an extended track, passing over a dozen billboards and signage of California landmarks. Kids take the wheel (with a little guidance from underneath), control the gas pedal and take their parents for a drive. It is almost a rite of passage for California’s Great America kids and parents alike. At NorCal County Fair’s refreshed Games Gallery, guests will discover a wide array of interactive games and activities that are sure to entertain the entire family. The new decor celebrates Northern California’s rich history and culture, with nods to the region’s famous landmarks and icons.

Later in the Summer, anticipate the all-new Pacific Gliders. A Zamperla WindstarZ model that allows guests to be the captain of their own experience as they catch wind like a real hang glider. It’s the perfect ride for both children and adults to feel the fresh California breeze when soaring through the sky.

A major renovation to The County Fair Picnic Grove delivers a relaxed, family-friendly setting for personal gatherings or large corporate picnics of up to 3,000 guests. In addition to wide-open dining areas, the Picnic Grove features a volleyball court and open green that provides additional recreational activities for groups. With a half-dozen semi-private picnic shelters of varying sizes, the Grove provides the perfect amount of space for groups to reserve for their outdoor dining events.

Seeing Cedar Fair continue to invest into California’s Great America is great news following the 2022 announcement of the land being sold to real estate developers.

* If you liked this post, join other readers who have signed up to for our free Newsletter…because then you will never miss another update!