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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Pedestrian Plaza and Amusement Park

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz

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8.5^/10

2,059

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Ranked #10 for seafood in Santa Cruz
"Wear a Bra if your gonna ride the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster! :)"(17 Tips)
"Deep fried TWINKIES is a must!!"(5 Tips)
"Try the historical great dipper roller coaster."(4 Tips)
"Mini Golf is the best value."(3 Tips)

177 Tips and reviews

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giant dipper
concerts
sunsets
mini golf
game room
beach
hot dogs
deep fried twinkies
picnics
corn dogs
cotton candy
ice cream
bread bowls
fried oreos
roller coasters
chili
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Donaven S.September 12, 2015
Been here 25+ times
Best deal is the Season Pass. Gorgeous beach on the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Super fun Giant Dipper roller coaster and THREE amazing antique band organs playing at the Carousel ride. Must see!
Upvoted Sep 6
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySeptember 20, 2013
Fun day at the beach. Remember back in the day when the whole family went to the beach? This photo was taken at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in 1972. Share your photos of beaches and boardwalks. Read more
Upvoted Sep 7
Chloe WohlersApril 12, 2016
We love the boardwalk. There is food places inside. (try the funnel cakes), nice restrooms, And some fun rides. Try the historical great dipper roller coaster. Its the 5th oldewr coaster. 😁
Brian StraussSeptember 14, 2015
Been here 10+ times
My second favorite amusement park after Disneyland. Beach and rides combo is fantastic. Great for little kids. Season pass is a fantastic value.
Alex KimSeptember 20, 2014
I remember coming here as a kid and most of it has stayed in tact. Nice to see the locals still enjoying it. The jungle climb was the most popular carnival game. Trying to figure how to game it still.
Cassidy MartinNovember 14, 2017
It’s a Classic. Mini Golf is the best value. The Giant Dipper is a must. Good during the off season.
Atef ChaudhuryJune 25, 2017
Gets very hectic here, especially when trying to park. Either come early in the morning, or park away from the beach. Don't get stuck in the gridlock parking line
Laurie DalzellJune 18, 2015
Every single ride and the 1970's summer beach soundtrack. Get a season pass if you plan to go more than 2 times in a year. It pays for itself after 16 rides.
Saundra AllmanMay 19, 2012
Always loved to be here. Shopping on the Boardwalk, enjoying the sun on the sand, walking in the waves. Enjoy it now best with my daughter! Still enjoy the rollercoaster and the ferris wheel!
Rich H.August 9, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Fun place! Ride the Giant Dipper. Very good beach. Like the arcade. Should change its name because there haven't been boards at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in 30 years.
Justin McManusMay 28, 2015
Love the beaches and tons of places to eat. You have to check out Neptune's Kingdom and the huge arcade.
Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkJuly 24, 2012
See one of the FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach concerts during the summer! Two FREE Shows 6:30pm & 8:30pm See website below for line-up and details. Rockin'!! -ds Read more
Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkJanuary 30, 2015
2-For-1 All-Day Rides February 7-8 and 14-15-16, 2015 Buy one All-Day Rides Wristband and receive a second wristband FREE! Details at http://bit.ly/bbwsave Have fun! -ds
SarahAugust 21, 2016
If you're on the larger/taller/heavier side you may not be able to ride the Giant Dipper unless you like having your legs CRUSHED under the massive amount of force of the lap bar. True story.
USA TODAYJune 17, 2013
If you like it hot, try Surf City Grill's infamous Cajun corn dogs. If you're looking for something tamer, their clam chowder bread bowl is also a winner. Read more
Andy HalvorsenAugust 19, 2017
A lot cleaner than I remember. Good prices and nice staff. A real gem in NorCal.
Little MissAnnJuly 9, 2019
perfect for pictures! the day pass for the rides costs around 40 so might as well get a year pass (around 89).. entrance to the beach is free
Shermans TravelAugust 8, 2012
Try the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the classic Looff carousel, which features one of the country's last remaining ring machines (grab one and try to throw it in the clown’s mouth). Read more
Nicole HortonSeptember 23, 2015
Park in one of the residential neighborhoods by the train bridge. Salt water taffy, rides, and sunshine! Don't forget sunglasses, water, and sunscreen
Tom CoatesApril 4, 2018
Okay, look. This is not a place to come for classy evenings and sophistication. It’s more of a kids and spring break kind of place. But it is pretty good fun and it’s sunny and outside.
Cyn Najera On twitter @ilovemykikicatDecember 11, 2018
Amazing! For visiting in the afternoon! Sunset to get In love
G-UnitApril 5, 2013
Warm sunny weather and the smell of the Pacific Ocean, cotton candy and great food. Come visit Santa Cruz and have loads of fun!
Jamie O'NeillAugust 30, 2012
Look for deals after 5. Full ride passes on Wednesdays and Thursday's after 5 for only 19.95. Also offer AAA discounts. Tuesday nights all rides Are a buck after 5 :)
David SchlaepferFebruary 24, 2013
When wondering where to sit on the Giant Dipper: sit in the front car if it's open, if it's not, sit as far back as possible.
Zack StocktonJune 4, 2015
Great slice of America! I love this place! Who can beat free admission. Don't play in the San Lorenzo outlet, though, that is just nasty
Misty BontaJuly 20, 2014
Really fun but crowded. Had great seafood at the a Mexican restaurant and beautiful sunset
Jeff MeyerJuly 14, 2012
Realize in mid-July on the weekend, the City of Santa Cruz can't afford and traffic control and it takes 35 minutes to drive a 7 block street in front of the boardwalk. Chamber of commerce cared not!
Tara SignorelliJuly 14, 2015
Monday and Tuesday nights after 5pm, all rides, hot dogs and soda are only $1!!! Totally worth it!
Smithsonian ChannelJune 23, 2011
Developers once hoped this boardwalk would become California’s Coney Island. After more than a hundred years, it is now the oldest seaside amusement park on the West Coast. (From Aerial America) Read more
Evan JohnsonAugust 7, 2014
Giant Dipper is one of the best rides ever. Monday and Tuesday are retro nights, meaning $1 per ride.
TravelMuseJune 15, 2010
Fun to go to once in awhile. The Big Dipper is the best; also have a fun summer concert series for free. However, unless you have children, there are many more worthy places to spend your time in S.C.
Yiola ValtoudiNovember 4, 2018
Come early to avoid the crowds and to enjoy the view
Vilas .November 24, 2012
Seabright state beach on south side has free parking (only thing is one needs to walk frm there to broad walk, but that's a nice walk)
Uju OfojamaAugust 31, 2017
Very lovely place! Will come back soon.
Flavius NeagoeAugust 20, 2017
Fun rides for the kids! Remember the AAA discounts
Sunil KoundinyaAugust 25, 2014
Super happening place. Great games and fun thrilling rides along with eats and shops.
Katerina AnnaAugust 28, 2017
Busy, noisy and as American as it gets! Definitely worth a look if you are a tourist
E MarSeptember 8, 2014
There is a pineapple stand that sells Dole Whip identical to what you can find at Disneyland!
Aniyah JonaeJuly 21, 2013
Deep fried cheesecake and roasted corn. If you haven't tried them yet... Do it.. . thank me later.
Kian LaviJuly 13, 2016
Love their arcade 👾. Play the new Jurassic Park game!!
wai-ling q.April 12, 2010
Been here 25+ times
Worked there for a summer @ the food places. Fun summer job but was hard to watch everyone on the beach while I was slinging food. Gotta love Friday Free Beach Concerts & 1907 nights 50 cent hotdogs
Donaven StaabDecember 10, 2012
Been here 50+ times
Enjoy the festive holiday train rides happening in December. Such a wonderful family group thing to do! Details at http://beachboardwalk.com/holidaytrains
Dion ShattuckJune 28, 2014
Check out the wharf! It has restaurants, shops, ice cream, sea life, and more.
Sunny =)July 18, 2015
Get some of the fresh cinnamon nuts...so good! Mixed bag is the best!
Jennifer EvansAugust 17, 2015
Good place for kids but feels very much like a cheesy tourist trap. Worth doing once.
Campbell BirdJune 7, 2016
Pretty cool place to walk around once you find somewhere to park.
Jack CB DobsonAugust 13, 2015
The system by which you buy tickets for rides is simple and sensible!
nikSeptember 2, 2016
Tons of amazing rides to choose from. The Giant Dipper is definitely not for the weak!
Sarah RNovember 20, 2017
Been here 10+ times
Giant Dipper, mini golf, and the arcade are good
Josh YJuly 17, 2022
The place is fun but just so crowded. Better to plan for a stay rather than do a day trip from SF.

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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

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