Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Santa Cruz, California
Our Tourist Attractions Expert Says:
If you're in the Santa Cruz area and you're looking for excitement that the whole family can enjoy (and you are not afraid of roller coasters!), then you will love the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a half-mile long historic amusement park next to Santa Cruz's mile long main beach. Visitors to the Boardwalk come to enjoy more than 34 rides and attractions as well as arcades, games, dining, and shopping.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk began as a public saltwater bathhouse in 1865, which attracted so many tourists, that soon many concessions were built around the area including restaurants, shops, and photo stands. Toward the end of the century, the great entrepreneur, Fred W. Swanton, laid plans for it to become a casino and boardwalk, similar to Coney Island in New York. Its history can be rediscovered in The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, which displays old photographs, art, artifacts and memorabilia of the Boardwalk.
At the Boardwalk Grand Arcades, the kids will enjoy The Casino Arcade, Neptune's Kingdom, and Boardwalk Bowl, which offer games such as pinball, miniature golf, pool tables, bowling, and laser tag. Fun amusement rides include the Giant Dipper, Merry-Go-Round, Double Shot, Hurricane, Typhoon, and Tornado. At the Haunted Castle, you can blast away ghosts at the Ghost Blaster Attraction or ride the cars at Speed Bumps and Space Race. If you can handle more excitement, take a ride on Pirate Ship or Crazy Surf, which will spin you around and around. The whole family will enjoy the tame roller coaster, Logger's Revenge. For prehistoric fun at the Boardwalk, take the Cave Train Adventure, a glow in the dark thrill ride. Younger kids will enjoy rides such as Bulgy the Whale, Jet Copters, and the Red Baron, and if they don't mind getting wet, the Kiddie Speed Boats. Many of the "kiddie" rides allow adults to ride along. Afterwards, take the kids out to eat at one of the many family-friendly restaurants found on the Boardwalk.
Seasonal events add more excitement to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, such as Santa's Kingdom and the Holiday Lights Train in December, The Bridal Expo in January, the Clam Chowder Cook Off in February, and Spring Break at the Boardwalk in March. In February, take advantage of Two-for-One Days, when you can buy one Unlimited Ride Wristband at any ticket booth and get another for free. There are also several special events in the summer, such as the 1907 discount nights and free summer concerts series. Now you've got reasons to come back to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk during every month of the year!
Walking on the Boardwalk is free, but you do need to pay to ride the rides and partake in most of the activities. Packages are available, including all-day, unlimited ride passes, individual ride tickets, and season passes, all with discounts and coupons available online. Ticket prices are the same for all ages. Boardwalk parking is normally between $5 and $10, depending on the time of day and season, and is free when rides are closed.
The Boardwalk is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and then weekends and holidays during fall and spring. Rides are open at different times according to the season, although The Grand Arcades are open year-round, with longer weekend hours. The best time to visit the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is in the late fall or early spring, when there are fewer visitors and the waiting lines are shorter. During the summer, peak hours are usually between 1pm and 3pm, so plan to arrive at opening or after 5 pm.
There are a few great places to stay in and around the Santa Cruz Boardwalk area. Families will enjoy the Carousel Motel or Seacliff Inn, while the Sea & Sand Inn and Santa Cruz Hilton offer more romantic options, all with great ocean views of the Monterey Bay. Accommodations are also available at the Coast Santa Cruz Hotel, Seascape Resort, and University Inn. Several accommodations offer packaged deals (ride passes) for Boardwalk visitors. There are also state campgrounds nearby at New Brighton State Beach in Capitola and Henry Cowell State Park in Felton.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk can be found at 400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz, between San Francisco and Monterey. Bus and shuttle services are available from nearby San Jose international airport. It is located off of Highway 1 and Highway 17. Enjoy the beach, the boardwalk, and the great games, rides, and foods that the area has to offer! Have fun!