“Thrill Rides, midway games, art deco”
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is recognized as the best seaside park in the world. Our vibrant, bustling amusement park is renowned for its great rides, remarkable history, spectacular beach setting, and friendly attitude. The Boardwalk has been operating since 1907, and it hasn’t missed a beat! We believe in affordable family fun - that’s why admission is free, summer entertainment is included, and ride tickets are affordable. Two of our rides are National Historic Landmarks, but don’t let that fool you. The 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster still thrills riders with its hair-raising dips and turns and the Looff Carousel's unique ring toss provides a surprising challenge. Our indoor arcades offer the largest selection of games in Northern California with the latest video and redemption games, pinball machines, a vintage game collection, two-story miniature golf course, and laser tag arena. There's also a family bowling center right across the street. Many people visit just for the food. Choices include corn dogs made from a secret family recipe, deep fried artichokes, chocolate covered bacon, and deep fried Twinkies! The Boardwalk spans a wide sandy beach along Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where it’s not unusual to see otters, dolphins, sea lions, and even whales swimming just offshore. We’re the last of the great seaside amusement parks remaining in the United States and home to two National Historic Landmarks – the 1911 Looff Carousel and 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. The entire property is also a State Historic Landmark. Located next to pristine Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is committed to environmental preservation. Our outstanding recycling and reuse programs are continually recognized by the State of California and the City of Santa Cruz. This was also a filming location for the iconic vampire-hunting movie, The Lost Boys.
Fun place for the family, even with young kids! We particularly liked that there's no 'entrance fee', you can just walk in and look around, bring in your own food if you like - no problem. It's clean and reasonably priced, good range of rides. We had a great time.
Something for everyone here. Lots of carnival type rides, food stands with fried artichokes, garlic fries, pizza, fried twinkies, funnel cakes and other Fair type food. Don't skip the arcade with old school games along side the newer video games and with reasonable prices. There is a huge stage right on the beach for summer concerts at night. You are just a few steps from the beach where you can swim, build sand castles or just lay out to tan and relax; and you are just a short walk to the pier for fishing, shopping and more eating.
You can spend your whole day here and not run out of things to do. The parking is close ($) and you can easily run back to the car for beach chairs, after miniature golf or your laser tag game. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Just Go! Get on the big dipper
So much fun! Prices are a bit high but you're right next to the ocean so it's worth it! Watch out for bums before and after park is closed since you can walk boardwalk after hours.
Super fun and everything is cheap!
The CUTEST amusement park I've ever seen! So many fun rides and good food and loved the beach and the shops as well. I definitely want to go back again!
Nice weather, nice place to walk around. Simple but fun boardwalk rides, awesome overpowering boardwalk theme.
What can I say, its one of those places you just have to go enjoy! Parking was never very hard to find and the kids always had a good time at the arcade or on the boardwalk. It is one of those places you have to see if you are going through and the drive over from San Jose is so pretty.
It was worth seeing Jason at because it's a famous place, but I'd rather go to California Adventures version of this Boardwalk lol
It was a nice place to go stretch your legs, but not something to go out of the way for. A couple restaurants were on the pier and some tourist shops.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Hours
- Mon - Thu: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
- Fri, Sat: 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
- Sun: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
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Independent
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Credit Cards Accepted
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Public Restrooms
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Outdoor Seating
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Street Parking
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Private Parking
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Yes Parking
Nearby Gas Stations
Nearby Hotels
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