A Theme Park

It's a 10-minute drive from downtown San Jose to Great America, 100 acres of family entertainment on the Great America Parkway (off U.S. 101), in Santa Clara (tel. 408/988-1776; www3.cedarfair.com/greatamerica). A pretty cool place to lose your lunch, the park includes such favorites as the Top Gun suspended jet coaster; a 3-acre Nickelodeon Center for children; and their latest addition (and the first "reality show roller coaster") Survivor: The Ride. Check for concerts and special events, too. Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay, a 3-acre water park with 11 slides and a "lazy river," is included in the general admission; it's $37 for adults and children ages 3 to 61, $30 for seniors age 60 and anyone under 48 inches tall. Kids under 3 are free. Check the website for discounted tickets. It's open daily June through August; opening hours, and opening days from September through May, vary according to season and the weather, so call for details. From San Francisco, take U.S. 101 south for about 45 miles to the Great America Parkway exit.