San Jose, Calif.gem in the west

If you love roller coasters and thrilling attractions, make a day out of Great America, located in nearby Santa Clara. This park has the most thrill rides in Northern California, including the FireFall, a 60-foot-high ride filled with 360-degree vertical spins and fire and water effects; Delirium, a tall spinning pendulum; Drop Tower Scream Zone, a 22-story drop; Flight Deck, featuring a 360-degree vertical loop, two 270-degree turns and a zero gravity roll; and Vortex, a rollercoaster traveling at 45 miles an hour through 360-degree loops and a 91-foot hill. For the tamer thrill-seekers, there’s Planet Snoopy, family rides, KidZville with 18 rides just for the little ones and live stage productions. If you’ll be in San Jose a few times in a year, consider buying a season pass for $55.