---
title: "South Bay Shores"
description: "South Bay Shores changes the pace of a day at California’s Great America, trading coaster tracks for slides, pools and water play. In Santa Clara, it gives a mixed-age family another way to enjoy the destination without making every shared activity a thrill ride. The coastal California styling helps the water area feel like its own chapter of the visit, while its relationship to the host park remains central to planning."
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markdown_url: "https://thmprk.com/visit/water-parks/united-states/south-bay-shores/index.md"
language: "en-US"
content_type: "thmprk_venue"
---

# South Bay Shores

South Bay Shores changes the pace of a day at California’s Great America, trading coaster tracks for slides, pools and water play. In Santa Clara, it gives a mixed-age family another way to enjoy the destination without making every shared activity a thrill ride. The coastal California styling helps the water area feel like its own chapter of the visit, while its relationship to the host park remains central to planning.

 

Shark Reef Plunge provides a more demanding slide priority, while Tide Pool represents the gentler end of the offering. The current name is South Bay Shores; older guides may call the area Boomerang Bay. The water park has its own seasonal programme, so an operating day at Great America does not automatically mean every pool or slide is available. Read the actual admission product and operating information together.

Canonical source: https://thmprk.com/visit/water-parks/united-states/south-bay-shores/


## Directory planning information

- Attraction categories: Water parks
- Source review status: Sources reviewed
- Coordinates: 37.3962, -121.9708
- Record type: venue
- Operating state: operating
- Timezone: America/Los\_Angeles
- Location: Santa Clara, California, United States
- Address: 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States
- City / locality: Santa Clara
- State / province / region: California
- Country: United States
- [Official website](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>)
- [Getting there](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>) (links checked 2026-10-25)

### Planning your visit

Use Great America Parkway for arrival and consult the park map before choosing where to begin. Check swimming and slide requirements, then allow time for changing, lockers and a proper break. If combining water play with dry rides, plan how to store belongings and change clothes rather than attempting frequent transitions. Compare the total outing cost, including parking and any rentals or upgrades, against the activities the family really wants.
- [Planning source](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>); checked 2026-10-25

### Getting there

Head to 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California 95054, United States. Follow the official arrival guide to find the right entrance for your visit.
- [Planning source](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>); checked 2026-10-25
- A current name to use: South Bay Shores is the current name of Great America’s water park, formerly called Boomerang Bay. 
- [Planning source](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>); checked 2026-10-25

### Sources and credits

- [Official source](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/south-bay-shores>)
- [Independent source](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Bay_Shores>)
- [Official source](<https://www.cagreatamerica.com/directions>)

Information checked: 2026-10-25.

Source credit: Photo: South Bay Shores


## THMPRK Score

7.3 /10

South Bay Shores earns its score as a varied water-park option within a larger amusement day. It is particularly useful when families want both slides and dry rides. Its value depends on the actual admission and seasonal programme, with changing time, storage and optional extras included in the comparison.

- Assessed: 2026-10-25


## Fan score

90% positive. 45 thumbs up; 5 thumbs down; 50 total votes.