The wide beach and splashable waves of Santa Cruz are inviting all on their own. Add a colorful boardwalk with rides, games, and music—how can you say no? Not many do. The popular Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been a summertime ritual for families since it debuted in 1907. Today, the entire boardwalk is a California Historic Landmark, and two of its rides have attained the status of National Historic Landmarks on their own.
Rides and Games at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Certainly, the big stars of the show here are the landmark rides: the Looff Carousel (which debuted in 1911), and the Giant Dipper roller coaster (1924). The Giant Dipper is a burly wooden coaster that has generated screams, squeals, and squinched-shut eyes for more than a century, and has appeared in movies including Sudden Impact, Dangerous Minds, and The Lost Boys.
The painstakingly restored carousel, meanwhile, has real horse hair on the tails of its painted steeds, and is one of the increasingly rare carousels left in the U.S. with a ‘“brass ring” feature. Here’s how it works: You reach for a ring out of the dispenser on one wall as you glide by, and then try to throw the ring into the mouth of a clown’s face on the next wall. If you succeed, bells go off and the crowd goes wild.
You’ll find plenty of other spinning and soaring attractions—19 crowd-pleasing “family” rides, 9 kiddie rides, and 11 thrill rides. The 125-foot Double Shot tower, for instance, appeals to heart-in-throat adrenaline lovers, while the Sea Swings make an amazing photo op. The Cave Train goes underground and features original figures from 1961. Get a birds-eye view from the 65-foot Ferris wheel or the Sky Glider funicular, with its sweeping perspectives of the beach, rides, and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Don’t overlook Neptune’s Kingdom, the home of the old-school arcade and skeeball as well as a surprisingly deep assortment of other diversions. The sprawling indoor mini golf course is two stories high and includes a black-light hole and, at $1 a pop, the lit-up Roll-a-Bingo game is addictively fun.
How to Go to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Admission is free to the boardwalk—you just pay for per-ride tickets or games or buy a wristband for a day’s worth of unlimited rides. Browse the tickets page online to see what option might work best for you—and be sure to buy online to score discounts of at least $10. You can also buy a MyBoardwalk card and use it like a debit card toward individual rides, games, or food. Buying a card online bundles in an extra $5 or $15 of bonus points.
If you’ll go to the boardwalk on more than one day, buy a Season Pass: The deluxe version of the pass includes unlimited-ride wristbands and pays for itself with just two visits. Check the deals page for the latest specials—like discounted game or ride wristbands—depending on the time of year.
Park in the paid lot across the street from the boardwalk, or scout for metered parking on the surrounding streets.
What to Eat at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
While you’ll find plenty of carnival-style dining options at the boardwalk, there is good variety, too. Surf City Grill, for instance, does classic corn dogs as well as fried local artichoke hearts. Tuck into some fish and chips at Seaside Fish & Chowder, grab a burger or smoked tri-tip at The Grill, or go international at Flavors of India or BoardWok. For dessert, stop at one of the four Marini’s at the Beach for their famous saltwater taffy, caramel apples, and chocolate-covered bacon.
Brews at the Beach, Beer Cove, and Bay Brews pour adult beverages year-round, but always check the boardwalk calendar to see if a food or drink festival is happening during your visit.
Exploring History at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The first version of the boardwalk opened in 1865, when public bathhouses started popping up on this stretch of coastline where the Monterey Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. As tourists increasingly arrived to “take the waters” by getting in the ocean, restaurants and shops followed, and entrepreneur Fred Swanton then started building what he hoped would become the “Coney Island of the West.” Over the years the Santa Cruz Boardwalk grew to include a casino (which burned down early on) as well as the previously mentioned Looff Carousel and Giant Dipper.
Beyond riding the two historic rides, you can see other signs of the past around the boardwalk. Head to the second floor of the Neptune’s Kingdom building to check out the little museum with photographs and memorabilia from this seaside destination’s past, or download the Historic Walking Tour to follow a map of 20 interpretive signs around the park.
Events at the Beach Boardwalk
Each season brings its own entertainment to the boardwalk, including free movie nights and live music during the summer. Annual events at the boardwalk include autumn’s Chili Cook-Off competition and the Bites & Brews series (Thursdays to Sundays), with pairings of food and local beer. Winter brings the holiday-themed Winter Wonderland and February’s Clam Chowder Cook-Off.
Where to Stay Close to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
It’s easy to book a hotel just a few blocks from the fun. For an oceanfront stay, consider the nearby Dream Inn, the Sea & Sand Inn, or La Bahia Resort & Spa, which has a pool, rooftop deck, and easy access to the beach.
Head inland a few blocks to find more brand-name options, such as the Marriott-affiliated Hotel Paradox or the Hyatt Place Santa Cruz.
Things to Do Near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
For more fun around Santa Cruz, explore the local surfing culture, the nearby wine country, and the enormous trees at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.