Gold Striker - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

Gold Striker is 974 meters in length and reaches speeds of up to 87 kilometres per hour. The ride features a drop of 31.5 meters (103 feet) and several tight turns and tunnels, making it a thrill for both experienced coaster riders and first-timers alike. While on the ride, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree view of the popular Star Tower attraction and Celebration Plaza. The ride lasts only two minutes and thirty seconds.

In addition to Gold Striker, California's Great America amusement park also offers a variety of other rides and attractions, including a water park, carnival games, and live entertainment.

Gold Striker is  California's Great America theme park's eighth rollercoaster, which opened in 2013. It was designed by Jeff Pike and built by Great Coasters International - a roller coaster manufacturer. The ride was originally planned to be opened in 2009 but it was cancelled due to various issues.

Soon after the ride was opened, it had to be closed due to noise that was slightly above the permitted levels. A 21 meters tunnel was added to the ride to suppress the noise.

Gold Striker at California's Great America amusement park is a great place to visit any time of year. One thing to keep in mind is the weather. The Bay Area can be quite cool and foggy in the summer, so if you're looking to experience the outdoor ride, it's probably better to visit in the spring or fall. 

Another thing to consider is the crowd level. The park tends to be less crowded during the week, so if you're looking to avoid long lines, it's a good idea to visit mid-week. However, keep in mind that Gold Striker is a popular destination for school field trips, so weekends may be your only option during the school year.

1. Arrive early. The lines for Gold Striker can get pretty long, especially during peak season. To avoid spending hours waiting in line, aim to arrive at the park when it opens.
2. Gold Striker is a wild ride, so make sure to hold on tight to the safety bars throughout the ride.

1. At 53 meters in length, Gold Striker has the world's longest tunnel to be featured in the first drop.
2. The theme of the ride is Old West, referencing the California gold rush of the 19th century.

It takes less than three minutes to complete the Gold Striker ride. But visitors can spend a day easily in the theme park enjoying more than 100 adventures it offers.

From San Fransisco, visitors can either drive or take a train to the Great America theme park where Gold Striker is located. It is 50 minutes, 70 kilometres drive by car. If you are planning to take the train, it is a 1 hour 40 minutes journey. Alight at Great America station. The park is at a walkable distance.

There are a variety of pricing options available to enter Great America theme park and ride on the Gold Striker. The daily admission cost is 45 USD, for the various available pricing options, check out their website.

Great America theme park and  Gold Striker is open from 11 AM to 6 PM.