Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Pedestrian Plaza and Amusement Park
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 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)
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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 Dec 20, 2024
U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySeptember 20, 2013Fun 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
- Chloe WohlersApril 12, 2016We 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. 😁
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, 2014I 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, 2017It’s a Classic. Mini Golf is the best value. The Giant Dipper is a must. Good during the off season.
Atef ChaudhuryJune 25, 2017Gets 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, 2015Every 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, 2012Always 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!
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, 2015Love the beaches and tons of places to eat. You have to check out Neptune's Kingdom and the huge arcade.
Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkJanuary 30, 20152-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
- Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkJuly 24, 2012See 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
SarahAugust 21, 2016If 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.
Little MissAnnJuly 9, 2019perfect 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
Andy HalvorsenAugust 19, 2017A lot cleaner than I remember. Good prices and nice staff. A real gem in NorCal.
Shermans TravelAugust 8, 2012Try 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, 2015Park 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, 2018Okay, 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.
G-UnitApril 5, 2013Warm sunny weather and the smell of the Pacific Ocean, cotton candy and great food. Come visit Santa Cruz and have loads of fun!
Cyn Najera On twitter @ilovemykikicatDecember 11, 2018Amazing! For visiting in the afternoon! Sunset to get In love
Jamie O'NeillAugust 30, 2012Look 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, 2013When 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, 2015Great 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, 2014Really fun but crowded. Had great seafood at the a Mexican restaurant and beautiful sunset
Jeff MeyerJuly 14, 2012Realize 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, 2015Monday and Tuesday nights after 5pm, all rides, hot dogs and soda are only $1!!! Totally worth it!
Evan JohnsonAugust 7, 2014Giant Dipper is one of the best rides ever. Monday and Tuesday are retro nights, meaning $1 per ride.
Smithsonian ChannelJune 23, 2011Developers 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
Vilas .November 24, 2012Seabright 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)
TravelMuseJune 15, 2010Fun 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.
- Sunil KoundinyaAugust 25, 2014Super happening place. Great games and fun thrilling rides along with eats and shops.
Katerina AnnaAugust 28, 2017Busy, noisy and as American as it gets! Definitely worth a look if you are a tourist- E MarSeptember 8, 2014There is a pineapple stand that sells Dole Whip identical to what you can find at Disneyland!
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
Enjoy the festive holiday train rides happening in December. Such a wonderful family group thing to do! Details at http://beachboardwalk.com/holidaytrains
Aniyah JonaeJuly 21, 2013Deep fried cheesecake and roasted corn. If you haven't tried them yet... Do it.. . thank me later.- Dion ShattuckJune 28, 2014Check out the wharf! It has restaurants, shops, ice cream, sea life, and more.
Jennifer EvansAugust 17, 2015Good place for kids but feels very much like a cheesy tourist trap. Worth doing once.
nikSeptember 2, 2016Tons of amazing rides to choose from. The Giant Dipper is definitely not for the weak!
Joseph StephenJanuary 14, 2013Be sure to check out the sea lions at the end of the boardwalk!! Well worth the trip!- Josh YJuly 17, 2022The 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
400 Beach Street (btw Riverside Ave & Cliff St)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States
Enjoy a selection of outdoor arcade games, as well as limited food and shopping options. Boardwalk Bowl is now open. A limited selection of Boardwalk rides and mini golf will open weekends starting Sat., Nov. 7...
Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 9:30 AM–7:00 PM
(831) 423-5590
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Free
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Places inside Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- 9.2
"It’s such a great read that holds great memories. It’s really fun and probably the best one. You really have to be having a fun time with great people to enjoy this ride as much as I do."
Jonathan Jimenez - 8.3
"Great pinball machines next door in Neptune’s kingdom. Old School games for only a quarter!"
Cassidy Martin - 7.5
"You can drink on the boardwalk, and good boardwalk food"
Robert Hernandez
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