PGA vs SFMW

Headed down to the San Jose area in late June - eBay Live anyone? Not familiar with either park. Any recommendations on how to use 3 days there?

Go to one park but not the other?

Go back to which park?

Thanks!

Rod

Don't go to either, then you don't have to worry if you made the wrong decision by the advice you got here:).

I recommend Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Giant Dipper is one of the most fun coasters in all of California and the park is an absolute blast. Modern thrills, such as Fireball, Double Shot, and Ghost Blasters, along with classics like the Cave Train Adventure and Merry Go Round round out a great collection of rides. Make sure to ride Merry Go Round with the famous rings.

If you have time and want to go to another park, I would recommend SFMW. If you only have half a day, probably PGA would be a better pick. PGA is located in San Jose probably not too far from eBay Live (I believe the eBay offices are 2 exits before Great America Parkway).

If you are going to be in San Jose, then PGA is right there. SFMW is a bit of a drive, and although not TOO far, Bay Area traffic can be utter insanity. I've been to both parks twice, and I prefer the coasters at SFMW over the ones at PGA. Nothing at PGA was all that great with the exception of Top Gun, which is even shorter than B:TR. Not that small coasters are automatically bad, but I always come away from PGA wishing they had at least SOMETHING larger than 100'. (yeah, Invertigo, but...)

If you're able to drive at a time without bad traffic, do SFMW.

Matthew's suggestion of SCBB is a good one too. That is a surprisingly great place!

Thanks Matthew and Soggy for the great feedback. This is exactly what I was looking for, some insiders info that will help me fight the insanity and give me and the boys something to look forward to.

Sounds like it might be best to make SFMW my full day trip, and SCBB and PGA my night trips. While I realize that some of these coasters don't pack the punch of SFMM, KBF, CP or PKI among others, they are still much better than my home park of Lagoon.

:-)

If you plan on PGA to be a "night" trip, be warned that the park closes at 8 pm most nights in the summer.

According to an article this week in the San José Mercury News, eBay is renting out PGA as an entertainment option for eBay Live! attendees. The article states that the eBay PGA event will be on Friday during the eBay convention. From the article: "On Friday, eBay convention-goers will return from Great America at 9 p.m..."