Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

While in Santa Cruz, I had the opportunity to take my children to the Boardwalk. It was a neat experience to be by the beach and hear the waves all the while having fun. They loved going on all the rides and there were rides for every age group. My youngest (20 months) was able to enjoy rides just as much as my 14 year old. The cost was not too prohibitive at $27 for a day use wristband which included use of all the rides plus an extra ticket to go in the Fright Walk haunted house. The hours are a little short, only operating from 11 am until 7 pm. And the food costs about the same as any other amusement park food (pricey). I had a pretzel and it was $2.50. All in all, it was a good time and I didn't go broke. more

Oh yeah, if you thought twinkies couldn't get any worse, try the deep fried ones on the Boardwalk. While disgusting sounding, they're actually not all that bad. I don't go to the Boardwalk often, too touristy. And I moved away a couple of years ago, so may be out of the loop. But if you play your cards right, they have dollar or fifty cent or something stupidly cheap rides night. Or maybe its the hotdogs that are stupidly cheap. Anyhow, it's worth it when they have to specials to go. And you can probably find out information on the website. more

I can't think of any other place I would rather be than at the Boardwalk when I am in Santa Cruz. You have the atmosphere of an old-time fair with rides, games and food; the sunny beach; seafood restaurants; hotels with views of the ocean; and the wharf with shops, restaurants, and Gelatto ice cream. I wish I was there right now! If you like to skate, rent some skates and skate down the sidewalk that runs the whole length of Santa Cruz's ocean front. Get a view of the boats, lighthouse, sea otters, and surfers along the way. In view at all times, from all of these spots, is the rides on the Boardwalk. Very pretty at night when they light up everything. Be sure to see it from the near-by Wharf at night. The Boardwalk has an old fashioned wooden roller coaster (quite safe), a whole building with bumper cars, and an old fashioned merry-go-round, where you can practice throwing the gold ring into the clown's face. All of these rides sit on a boardwalk right on the beach. A few steps down the stairs and there you are in the sand making a sand castle. Be sure to venture down to the Boardwalk when they have their Clam Chowder Festival, or one of their 50's band concerts.They have a stage in the sand. I use to live in the Santa Cruz mountains and went to the Boardwalk many times over the years and always had fun. more

Every summer, thousands travel to Santa Cruz to enjoy the good weather. The popular destination is the Boardwalk. With it's rides, arcade games, food, and proximity to the beach, how can you go wrong? Parking can be very hard to come by in the summer months unless you plan to pay the $5-10 parking lot fee. You can expect to pay a few bucks per ride, and food varies depending on the restaurant or vendor. Don't forget to bring the sunblock! more

This is really a fun place. When the Beach Boys wrote all those songs about the Beach they were thinking of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and you can see why. It's got all of the 'traditional' fun: the nicest beach in the Bay Area, rides and concession stands where kids can find junk food and 'priceless' treasures. Of course there is also the sand and the swimming, both of which make it worth a visit. This is the kind of place you *must* make a pilgrammage to at least once a summer. more

the santa cruz beach boardwalk has been around since the 19th century and boasts one of the oldest roller coasters in the country, the big dipper. it is always fun no matter how many times you have been on it, and it's always a little scary to hear the old wooden framing creaking as you're heading up to the highest point of the ride. it's right on the beach and is very crowed during the summer. there is also miniature golf and a huge arcade. there are 60 cent nights once a week during the summer. more

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park is a great place to go with the family. My kids loved playing on the beach and riding on the different amusement rides. There is no admission fee, you just need to buy tickets for the rides. The place does get pretty crowded so it's best to come early. more

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an amusement park along side the beach. With its variety of rides it's a fun place for the family and friends. Also, unlike other amusement parks, the Boardwalk doesn't charge for admission. However, in order to ride a roller coaster, bumper cars, or any of the other rides there, you must purchase tickets that are exchanged for a turn on an amusement park ride. If this doesn't suit you, you can purchase an all day strap that you wear on your wrist that allows you to ride as many rides as you wish without the hassle of tickets. I recommend this to families and friends looking for a fun and interesting time. more

This is basically my favorite amusement park in the whole entire world. What I love about it most is that it is near a beach. Whenever I am at the Boardwalk, I feel like I am in Santa Monica at that little amusement park that they have. Except the Boardwalk is better. The Boardwalk has great rides. You usually pay for each ride seperately unless you get the pass. You can buy some food here too. Best of all, once you're done riding rides, you can go chill at the beach. more

This is a good little place (not really little.) This is an amusement park. You can pay for rides either for a full day pass or buy tickets one by one for each ride. They have some ok rollercoasters, but if you are a real thrill seeker this is not the place for you, I would more recommend Great America in Santa Clara. Whats good about this place is that its right next to the beach so you can just step out of the amusement park and walk around the shore. more