Gold Striker, Wooden roller coaster at California's Great America, Santa Clara, US
Gold Striker is a wooden roller coaster at California's Great America in Santa Clara that runs along roughly 3,200 feet (975 meters) of track with hills and rapid descents. The ride operates two trains, each with 12 cars, using traditional wooden coaster design.
The roller coaster opened in May 2013 and replaced an earlier attraction called the Whizzer that had operated in the same park area. The construction took about a year as part of the park's modernization efforts.
The name and design recall the California Gold Rush, connecting the attraction to Northern California's mining heritage from the 1800s. Visitors notice these historical references throughout the ride's theming.
Riders must be at least 48 inches (1.2 meters) tall to experience the ride. The attraction operates during regular park hours and is easily accessible within the amusement park grounds.
The first drop travels through a tunnel that is longer than those found on most other wooden coasters worldwide. This unusual tunnel makes the beginning of the ride dark and thrilling.
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