The Superman Ultimate Flight at Six Flags in Vallejo stalled right at its highest point.
Park officials brought in a crane to get people down, but it was too short to reach the track.
Firefighters went up in a bucket to hand out bottles of water to the stranded riders. They thought they might have to get the riders down in the bucket.
After two hours a mechanic managed to restart the ride, which went backward and brought everyone to the ground.
The ride was subsequently closed for inspection.