Top 50 Roller Coasters in California | US States Ranked

California is arguably the best state for roller coasters. It has the most operating roller coasters and quality as well, as the the state is home to some major thrill parks like Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and California's Great America. Plus you have Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and SeaWorld San Diego as well. Find out which coasters are my favorites in the Golden State in this video!
Video Credits
Batman, SFMM Off-Ride (coastercrutchfield)- • Batman: The Ride (Off-...
Colossus POV (psyclonesteve)- • Colossus, Magic Mounta...
Deja Vu Off-Ride (coastercrutchfield)- • Déjà Vu (Off-ride HD) ...
Dragon POV (TigerFamilyLife~)- • THE DRAGON ROLLER COAS...
Flight Deck Off-Ride (coastercrutchfield)- • Flight Deck (Off-ride ...
Giant Dipper POV (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk)- • Front Seat Ride on the...
Gold Striker POV (California's Great America)- • Take a Virtual Ride on...
Grizzly POV (coastercrutchfield)- • The Grizzly Front Row ...
Jaguar POV (coastercrutchfield)- • Jaguar! Front Row (HD ...
New Revolution Off-Ride (Airtime Thrills)- • Revolution at Six Flag...
Ninja Off-Ride (Airtime Thrills)- • Ninja at Six Flags Mag...
Patriot Off-Ride (16BitCoaster)- • Video
Psycho Mouse POV (coastercrutchfield)- • Psycho Mouse Front Row...
Railblazer POV (California's Great America)- • Take a Virtual Ride on...
Riddler's Revenge Off-Ride (Airtime Thrills)- • Riddler's Revenge at S...
Roar POV (CoasterNick3157)- • Roar At Six Flags Disc...
Scandia Screamer POV (psyclonesteve)- • Scandia Screamer Rolle...
Scream Off-Ride (Airtime Thrills)- • Scream at Six Flags Ma...
Sierra Sidewinder Off-Ride (coastercrutchfield)- • Sierra Sidewinder (Off...
Space Mountain POV (JohnYChen)- • 2019 Disneyland Space ...
Stealth Off-Ride (psyclonesteve)- • Stealth, Paramount's G...
Stinger POV (CoasterFanatics)- • Stinger HD Front Seat ...
Superman POV (coastercrutchfield)- • Superman: Escape from ...
Undertow Off-Ride (Coaster Thrills)- • Undertow Off-Ride Sant...
West Coaster Off-Ride (Airtime Thrills)- • West Coaster at Pacifi...
Background Music
Epic Music by Infraction- • Background Cinematic E...

[@dominionthrills1800]

Hopefully I can make it across the country to California some day.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope so!

[@urbex_coasters]

Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz is super underrated.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I need to reride it.

[@urbex_coasters]

@@CanobieCoaster Yea, I'd say it's right there with CGA's big 3. I was amazed how much intensity it brought. And on some days I rank it as the best coaster in northern CA, it's one of those tjings I go back and fourth on.

[@the3lads714]

I like dragon,Matterhorn bobsleds,journey to alantis

[@CanobieCoaster]

They're fun.

[@the3lads714]

I also like manta and the mummy ride

[@the3lads714]

You should make an every roller coaster in California ranked

[@jezza7930]

Great video, thanks 👍🏼

[@CanobieCoaster]

You're welcome!

[@sonnysinnott8397]

Cool ambitious list

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@MillenniumForceMan]

Yes someone else finds Maurer spinners kinda underrated

[@CanobieCoaster]

The non-US ones are way better.

[@MillenniumForceMan]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah they look better, but the clones model here is pretty nice

[@Dead-YouTube-Channel]

@@MillenniumForceMan I need Ride Maurer spinners

[@Miklo_1]

This list must be based on visuals. Not thrill or scary coasters. Because the kiddie rides at Disney made the list. Like Thunder mountain. And space mountain. I would rate those in the 40’s. The incredible’s one at Disney is the best one there for adults.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Visuals are a big part of a ride for me.

[@SlimFury]

I have California on the radar for 2024 and 2025, respectively. I will list the 10 rides I am most anticipating. This is in no order. Tatsu, X2, Ghostrider, Gold Striker, Twisted Collosus, Full Throttle, Joker, Flight Deck, Xcellerator, and Flash Vertical Velocity.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy your trip!

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

I think xcelerator is high but other than that your spot on

[@CanobieCoaster]

That launch is epic.

[@CoasterRoaster]

Wow the editing and production quality here has gotten soooooo much better, especially as of late

[@skinnyd1195]

i agree it's awesome

[@dante8641]

Yes

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you! I switched from Windows Movie Maker to DaVinci Resolve recently so that is probably a big factor.

[@MrCollerRoaster]

Yeah it’s great

[@Paolo8772]

My favourite 12 coasters in California that I've ridden are Scream, Goliath, Silver Bullet, Viper, Full Throttle, Hang Time, Exelerator, Tatsu, Riddler's Revenge, X2, Ghostrider and Twisted Colossus.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@skinnyd1195]

This is by far the best video of yours ive seen great job it really reflects your work ethic and im only 5 minutes in

[@mr.rollercoasters]

It's been out for 6 minutes

[@skinnyd1195]

i meant so far

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!

[@metallica708]

Gonna be an unpopular opinion but when it's not dueling, Twisted Colossus is a bottom-tier RMC.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love it regardless.

[@the3lads714]

I like dragon,journey to alantis

[@CanobieCoaster]

They are fun.

[@mmouser]

Nice list, good to see SCBB’s Giant Dipper get some attention

[@CanobieCoaster]

I need to get back on it, but it's really fun.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

That's because it's always been the superior DIPPER

[@AirtimeProductions]

This is actually your best video yet! The list was great and the editing was amazing!!! 👌

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!

[@mosheschmelczer5266]

Your videos are keeping me going thru the off-season! Thanks for the great stuff, keep it up!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!

[@jackson.chetta]

Top 50 Coasters in the state of Alaska

[@CanobieCoaster]

That video is a whopping 0 minutes long.

[@StamfordBridge]

Wow. A real shock with number four rated over number five!

[@alantrotter2077]

I would agree. I much prefer GhostRider to Joker.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It was a coinflip for me.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you ever leave something in California breathless?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, X2 for example.

[@Old-Thunder69]

If only California would let us ride them.

[@CanobieCoaster]

With cases going down and the vaccine being rolled out, hopefully they reopen later this year.

[@Old-Thunder69]

Can you believe Disneyland has been closed for almost a straight year. Never thought I would see something like that. Hopefully all the parks bounce back.

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@Old-Thunder69 Never thought I'd see it.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster California's Great America is on track to open May 22nd so far.

[@teddym2808]

I just watched a video of 50 coasters in CA and it hit me once again - a state with so many coasters and no "real" hyper. I don't count goliath. No intamin or B&M hyper with lots of drops - this is what the state needs more than any other style of coaster, period.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree.

[@denone5327]

Nice list and video. My favorites are X2, Ghostrider, Twisted Colossus, Xcelerator, Gold Striker, and Railblazer. Clearly, you prefer the RMCs in the state more than I do :) Looking forward to getting back there, as my only visit was in 2019 so I missed out on Apocalypse and West Coast Racers.

[@CanobieCoaster]

And it looks like you far prefer Xcelerator.

[@skinnyd1195]

on sarajevo bobsleds heres a tip if you brace your legs diagonally your legs dont get smashed

[@CanobieCoaster]

I tried that when I rode La Vibora and it was much improved. But I still wish it had the two abreast seating like Alpine Bobsled.

[@StamfordBridge]

Canobie Coaster Alpine Bobsled is the only one I ever rode that got airtime. Still, my favorite of any make of bobsled is Schweitzer Bobbahn at Heide - for its speed, length, and very well themed station .

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@StamfordBridge Bobbahn is great. That is probably my favorite bobsled.

[@StamfordBridge]

Canobie Coaster 👍!

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you ever come off something in California with a headache? What do you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, Kong

[@RyanDaRizzle]

California might have the most coasters but in terms of quality they don't even hold a candle to Florida or Ohio. They don't have a giga. Hell, their only traditional full circuit hypercoaster is Goliath which is pretty meh.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Their top 5 is incredible and there's extreme depth too.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Did you ever come off something in California disappointed?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Goliath at Magic Mountain was a bit underwhelming based on my expectations.

[@dante8641]

Is it just me or is the editing better?

[@CanobieCoaster]

A few months ago I switched from Windows Video Maker to DaVinci Resolve.

[@Dead-YouTube-Channel]

Here Mine 5. Gadget's Go Coaster at Disneyland 4.Gold Rusher Six Flags Magic Mountain 3.Wacky worm San Diego County Fair 2. Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland 1.Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland I need Ride More Roller Coasters in California Like X2 and Space Mountain Montezooma's Revenge Is on My Bucket List

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope you can get back for the big ones.

[@Dead-YouTube-Channel]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah

[@Marty_NZ]

I had to laugh when I saw Grizzly. I wouldn't believe you without actually experiencing it myself. It was such a pointless experience when I rode it. I really hope they RMC it soon.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is great for families so I'm not sure if RMCing it makes sense.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster It's either RMC Grizzly, or give us our B&M Hyper.

[@quintocreations5091]

Montezuma is one of the most underrated rides ever. Like he said, it is so deceptive. If a person has never been on it, it looks like a middle tier coaster only about 100feet..... But ill say this ride is 1/4 The size and runs at 1/2 The speed of Top Thrill Dragster, and yet is overall a more thrilling and significantly more intense ride. It's crazy to think the launch is only 55mph. And yet, it blow most other launch coasters out there..

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wonder if it would get more attention if it wasn't in the same park as Xcelerator.

[@bandmfanboy]

I mean, technically, X2 doesn't have a vertical drop for no reason whatsoever...

[@CanobieCoaster]

It feels like one.

[@notffrenchy]

You have rode every coaster currently operating in CA.... So none🤣

[@annoyingperson2255]

Same

[@annoyingperson2255]

Same with new York and south Carolina and virginia

[@CanobieCoaster]

Technically I think they have the Wild Mouse at the Sacramento Scandia and the mountain coaster at Big Bear open, but those are two I haven't ridden.

[@johns.5091]

@@CanobieCoaster also South Lake Tahoe’s mountain coaster!

[@mitchellries256]

Of all the coasters I rode when I was there in 2014, my favorite is California Screamin' at Disney's California Adventure followed by Full Throttle at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm, The Riddler's Revenge at Six Flags, Xcelerator at Knott's, Apocalypse at Six Flags, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Manta at SeaWorld San Diego, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland, Colossus at Six Flags, Pony Express at Knott's, Scream at Six Flags, Goliath at Six Flags, Tatsu at Six Flags, Ninja at Six Flags, X2 at Six Flags, Goldrusher at Six Flags, Jaguar at Knott's Goofy's Sky School at DCA, Coast Rider at Knott's, Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld, Dragon at Legoland, Lego Technic Coaster at Legoland, Ghost Rider at Knott's, Silver Bullet at Knott's, Green Lantern: First Flight at Six Flags, Revolution at Six Flags and Boomerang at Knott's. That could easily change after re-riding some of these, after riding some rides I haven't ridden yet, if there have been any changes to these rides that I do or don't like, or by visiting the parks in the northern part of the state as I hadn't been there yet.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm surprised California Screamin' was your favorite. It's a fun ride for sure, but I prefer the state's more extreme rides.

[@mitchellries256]

@@CanobieCoaster Back then I liked how it was such a long ride, how it has a sudden launch followed by a sudden slowdown up the hill and perfectly paces itself smoothley throughout the rest of the ride and the on board audio was just a prefect thing to listen to throughout the duration of the ride. I honestly just haven't had so much fun on a coaster than I did with this one. I even rode it 7 times when I was there. But as I've mentioned before I was very unhappy with how it became The Incredicoaster in 2018 so sadly I am not sure it will stay my favorite after my next video.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I thought the retheme was ok. The effects in the tunnels were cool, but I miss the old soundtrack.

[@DariusMakesContent]

@@mitchellries256 California Screamin’ was the coaster that got me into coasters when I was young but it is no longer my favorite even though I do like the ride as incredicoaster almost equally. I prefer more of the most of the good six flags magic mountain coasters to it though and even most of the Knott’s ones although I totally understand your opinion it is a great coaster.

[@michakowalczyk4179]

Dejavu that low 🥺

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't seen to like the giant inverted boomerangs as much as some enthusiasts.

[@alantrotter2077]

I have been on everything on the list other than Roar, Colossus, Deju Vu. Here is my Top 10: 1. X2 2. Twisted Colossus 3. RailBlazer 4. Ghost Rider 5. Gold Striker 6. Joker 7. Tatsu 8. XCelerator 9. Flight Deck 10. Giant Dipper (Santa Cruz) The ones you like much more than me are SpaceMountain, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain, and Riddler's. I know Riddler's is a great layout. Some days I can enjoy it and others I just don't. Incredicoaster is really the only Disney coaster we have similar opinions on. The ones I like more than you are: Ninja, Undertow, Flash (V2), and Apocalypse. And Scandia Screamer was such a great ride. I agree it needs to be saved. The other ride that should be in your top 50 is Quick Silver Express at Gilroy's Gardens. Solid mine train.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm surprised no one has snuck in to buy Scandia Screamer yet. I actually haven't been to Gilroy Gardens. That is the largest park in California I've yet to visit. I couldn't get there with public transit during my internship and it has been closed for the season in future trips.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

Scream over Viper. As a fanboy of Arrow loopers and Viper, I'm triggered. Of course, my opinions are quite strange. It's always interesting to see different opinions, and California has an amazing collection of coasters, almost as good as Oklahoma's. I have only visited the Cedar Fair, Six Flags, and SeaWorld parks, and I'm very bummed that I missed out on Scandia Screamer. 12. Manta 11. West Coast Racers 10. HangTime 9. Tatsu 8. Riddler's Revenge 7. Viper 6. Railblazer 5. Full Throttle 4. Gold Striker 3. Joker 2. Twisted Colossus 1. X2

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm surprised you've never been a fan of GhostRider since I love that ride. Perfect example how two people can think differently on a ride

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

@@CanobieCoaster I wish I knew what I was missing there. Maybe it just wasn't riding well on both trips out there. I still liked it, I just didn't love it like 99.9% of people do.

[@itsseriousarc8429]

I thought GhostRiders Uniqueness, and nightridw propelled it over Twisted Colossus honestly, It’s a smooth, very long wooden coaster with great airtime. While RMC’s are good, I find them a bit repetitive and find Ghostrider’s layout worldclass.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't mind repetitive layouts when the elements are great.

[@coastercountdowns7736]

Ninja is insane and should be way higher in my opinion.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm not the biggest fan of that ride, but it's a good family coaster.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

If you do thus again can you do the manufacturer and year. Be nice to know who worked on some of these rides. Was that boardwalk coaster a morgan or chance ride?

[@CanobieCoaster]

West Coaster? Morgan.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

@@CanobieCoaster didn't know they made any small coasters thought they just made the hypers.

[@rollercoasting7990]

Why are the subtitles in Vietnamese?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The captions were auto-generated and KZbin thought I was speaking Vietnamese apparently. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to fix it on my end. I tried Googling it and others have had similar issues. Are the subtitles usually in English or do you usually not use them.

[@MrMywildside]

I would love to see Castle Park get Scandia Screamer. I think it would do well in the place of Screamin Demon, the coaster that never operates anymore. Castle Park is a similar park to what Scandia was.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a great fit. I selfishly would prefer to see Screamer come to a park by me haha.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster Is the Scandia Screamer Miler coaster still for sale?

[@maxhagenauer24]

5:29 SFDK?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Whoops, I'll blur out the Discovery Kingdom part.

[@jonathansima7591]

Belmont’s Giant Dipper didn’t even make the cut? Dang. Joking aside, great video! Any plans on making one for Pennsylvania?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Giant Dipper is slow and rough. I have a review going into more detail. I plan to make one for Pennsylvania, but I want to get on Steel Curtain first. Since I expect that ride will place highly, it doesn't seem appropriate to make the list without it.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster The Santa Cruz Giant Dipper will always be the superior ride.

[@NorCalCoasterMedia]

Im surprised you rated grizzly above demon

[@CanobieCoaster]

Grizzly for all its faults is smooth. Demon was pretty jerky when I rode it in 2014.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster Demon is still an Arrow Classic though, the roughest parts are the loops, and entering the corkscrews.

[@tankchen3114]

Great editing. The only disagreement with me is that I thought X2 was better than Twisted but other than that the quality is good and the list is accurate.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@matthewsouthwell9653]

5:30 Just thought I'd point out that mistake in the park name. Great video, mate 👍

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks, I'll blur that over. Honestly, Six Flags is probably better to represent both of its homes.

[@JulianDale94]

I know you don't like it, but I still find it hilarious how the Belmont Giant Dipper didn't even make the list

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's rough and slow. Not a good combo.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster The Santa Cruz Giant Dipper will always be the more superior ride.

[@theeverythingaccount6203]

Make:the worst rides in the world

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have a worst coasters video.

[@Roberto16H]

No Tony hawk's big spin?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Whoops I forgot that one since I have ridden Joker at Six Flags Mexico. That would've slotted somewhere in the mid-40s.

[@ryannimmo8560]

Hey I nvsr been on the roller coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

They're my favorite amusement rides. I always loved them. Have you tried them?

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@ryannimmo8560 That's what I love in rides.

[@ryannimmo8560]

Hey

[@hewasnumberone4476]

I was trying to think of what type of coaster Cali really needs. Of course a b&m hyper or giga ,but what other gaps do you see?

[@CanobieCoaster]

A steel hyper coaster focusing on airtime is the one thing they're missing.

[@hewasnumberone4476]

Maybe a Bermuda blitz too or something like kondaa

[@poopydavis1358]

Hi

[@skinnyd1195]

sup

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hi

[@StamfordBridge]

Sarajevo (ser-uh-YEH-vo, not ser-uh-VEY-ho) is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it was the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics, which is when this ride was built and what it was named after.

[@CanobieCoaster]

You learn something new everyday. Just like Frontier yesterday.

[@StamfordBridge]

Canobie Coaster 😊. Personally, I love learning new things, so hope you don’t mind the occasional correction. It’s certainly a drop in the bucket compared to all that I learn from your vids!

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@StamfordBridge I don't mind. I just hope it doesn't offend anyone if I mispronounce something by accident.

[@StamfordBridge]

Canobie Coaster People who get offended by a random mispronunciation are generally people who lack imagination. Everyone mispronounces words now and then.

[@djsugarc1075]

sorrry but viper is sooo much better than scream. viper is crazy forceful, unique and just massve, and scream is pointless, ugly, rough and mediocre.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

It's time for Magic Mountain to hand Scream down to a park that needs it more like St Louis or Over Texas, and do a complete refurbishment on Viper with the newer Vekoma vest restraint trains. Every-time I rode Scream, I got a pretty rattly ride. It seems B&M put less effort in the track for Scream vs Medusa, because Medusa is still butter smooth.

[@djsugarc1075]

@@zacharyyamashita8554 yes 10000000% i will even admit that scream may be an objectively “better” ride, but it’s existence as a looper at magic mountain is so trivial, it has the worst location and rides the worst of any of the loopers in the park. magic mountain was my home park for a year so i was there every weekend, i rode scream only a few times when i was bored on that side of the park or tc had too long of a line to marathon

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree Viper is more significant for the park, but I objectively enjoy Scream a hair more. I have gone back and forth on this one though.

[@djsugarc1075]

@@CanobieCoaster right like scream may be better cuz its a modern b&m but if i could save one of them from the chopping block it would be viper 10/10 times

[@CanobieCoaster]

@@djsugarc1075 That's fair. Especially since Scream could be a star elsewhere in the chain.

[@Joypyf]

Great video!! 👌🏼 About where do you anticipate the incoming RMC at SFMM to fall at on this list??

[@CanobieCoaster]

It will likely be top 3.

[@maxhagenauer24]

2:04, one of my favorite wild mice. I see you are in wild mice is plural for wild mouse group instead of the wild mouses group 😡

[@CanobieCoaster]

Psycho Mouse is a lot of fun.

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

@@CanobieCoaster Arrows mad mouse model is still the best types of modern steel wild mouse coasters, it just desperately needs a new paint job.

[@seansanders294]

Yay my homestate

[@CanobieCoaster]

Great state for coasters!

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

On Invertigo at California's Great America, when it operated as Stinger at Dorney Park, which restraints did Stinger use, and did you like, love, dislike, or hate them?

[@CanobieCoaster]

They were big over the shoulder harnesses. I was not a fan of them.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

And in Incredicoaster at Disney's California Adventure, what do you think about the old soundtrack and the retheme soundtrack?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer the old one, but the new one is fine.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What did you say about Deja Vu at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Goliath at Six Flags New England? Why did you put and why did you say with the original Vekoma trains was a blast, if it received Premier trains to improve the ride?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The old train was fairly smooth while the new one was not smooth.