There are many types of rides that you can find at Northern California amusement parks, including thrill rides, train rides and water rides. Rides are definitely not the only type of entertainment that is available at any of the amusement parks in Northern California. Other attractions are available such as wild animal viewing, live shows with sea creatures, interactive activities, entertainment for adults and kids, beautiful gardens, delicious food and shopping. The rides at a Paramount Park or any other amusement park in California are definitely one of the most popular attractions, though.

Northern California amusement parks have many different types of thrill rides. Some of the most common are the enterprise, tilt-a-whirl, gravitron, chair swing, swinging inverter ship, twister, and top spin. Amusement parks in Northern California are constantly coming up innovative new variations on ways to spin and throw passengers around, though, in an effort to keep attracting customers. The earliest park trains were mostly custom built by manufacturers such as Allan Herschfield, Cagney Brothers, Chance Rides (C.P. Huntington), Crown Metal Products, Custom Locomotives, Miniature Train Co. (MTC), The National Amusement Devices Co. (NAD), Ottaway, Sandley and Tampa Metal Products.

Trains have had long and varied history in amusement parks in Northern California, as well as all over the United States and overseas, although the earliest park trains weren't really trains - they were trolleys. Water rides might not have as long of a history, but nowadays most modern amusement parks with water resources generally feature a few water rides such as the log flume, bumper boats and rowing boats. Such rides are usually gentler and shorter than roller coasters and many are suitable for all ages. Paramount Park water rides are especially popular on hot Northern California days.

This is just a sampling of the types of rides that are available at Northern California amusement parks. With so much constant innovation, there are even new categories appearing that no one ever expected. Amusement park goers have more options than ever in Northern California and all over the world.