Guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

The city of Santa Cruz is recognized for its gorgeous location and rich history, and as soon as nicer weather hits, the Santa Cruz Wharf and Cowell Beach start to see visitors. One of the most popular things to do in the city is visit the amusement park down by the water.

This year, the Giant Dipper, a Santa Cruz landmark, celebrates its one hundredth anniversary, which means special events and discounted tickets. There's also a fireworks show on May 18th. For those who may not live in the area—or for those who have never been!—this is our guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park.

About The Park

First opened in 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park is the oldest amusement park in the entire state. For comparison, Knott’s Berry Farm opened in 1920 and the Sacramento Zoo opened in 1927. Adding to its significance, two of the Santa Cruz amusement park rides are entries on the National Register of Historic Places.

The park itself is positioned right on the beach, about 1.2 miles south of the Santa Cruz downtown. Visitors can enter from the Beach Street entrance on the north side, or by the southern, beach side.

Although admission to the Boardwalk is free, the rides are not, and tickets can be purchased individually or as a package (day pass or season pass). The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park does sometimes have discounts, which are listed on their website. Additionally, a MyBoardwalk Card, which uses a points system, can be used for discounts, too.

The park's official website can be found here.

Getting There & Parking

Those coming from a distance (whether from a nearby city or across the state) may want to drive to the park. If this is the case, there are two main parking lots nearby:

• The Beach Street parking lot, directly opposite the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

• The smaller lot at the intersection of Leibrandt Avenue and Beach Street

Parking is limited, and some do point out that the fee can be quite high. As an alternative to driving, there are a few bus routes that run right from the downtown to the waterfront area. As well, the Santa Cruzer (a downtown to beach shuttle bus) operates every thirty minutes. The fare for the shuttle bus is $1, and this is cash only.

Things To See And Do

As one of the most popular destinations in Santa Cruz, many seek out the Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park for its atmosphere, its rides, and its beachfront location. The amusement park as a whole makes for a great day trip, but visitors can also explore the shops, restaurants, and entertainment opportunities along Beach Street if they so desire.

Boardwalk Shops & Restaurants

While there are numerous shops and restaurants along Beach Street, the Boardwalk itself has its fair share of options—so those visiting don’t have to go too far to shop or to grab something to eat after riding on the roller coaster. 

On the west side, there’s a large picnic area (Aloha Terrace Group Picnic Area) which functions as a quick rest stop. Other highlights of the park include the casino, a stage for performances, and a banquet hall. 

In regards to shopping, guests can visit some of the following stores:

• O’Neill Surf Shop

• Marini's at the Beach

• Sun Shops

• Beach Shack

• The Walk

Stores within the park are primarily gift shops and apparel, though O’Neill Surf Shop remains a Santa Cruz surfing staple. 

For food, the Boardwalk offers a multitude of options, from food trucks and small, standalone booths, to sit-down restaurants. Some of the most prominent restaurants include the following:

• Boardwalk Grille

• Brews at the Beach

• Surf City Grill

• BoardWok

• Pizza Now!

• Seaside Fish & Chowder

There are some variations in regards to cuisine, but the Boardwalk primarily offers fast food and American-style eats. There are far more options in downtown Santa Cruz, which is only a short distance (by bus or car) away.

Most Popular Rides

There are over forty rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park. Some of the rides have restrictions for age and height, so it is best to plan beforehand. As a whole, however, the park is pretty kid-friendly, with a good range of different rides and intensity levels. One of the biggest attractions is Neptune’s Kingdom, which is a large building that offers mini golf, arcade games, and laser tag.

The most famous ride is probably the Giant Dipper, the park’s historic wooden roller coaster, built in 1924. This ride, combined with the Looff Carousel, accounts for an entry on the National Register of Historic Places. Other favorites include:

• Haunted Castle

• Sky Glider

• Undertow

• Pirate Ship

• Free Fall

• Logger’s Revenge

Two new rides are planned for 2024: The Dream Wheel (a large Ferris Wheel) and Surge (a spinning ride).

Events On The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Admission varies for these events, ranging from free to exclusively-priced. Likewise, a MyBoardwalk Card is sometimes valid for discounts. Some of the popular, annual events include the following:

• Movies On The Beach (free movie nights)

• Boardwalk Winter Wonderland (December and holiday celebrations)

• Boardwalk Fright Flicks (Halloween and horror-themed movie screenings)

• Boardwalk Fiesta en la Playa

• Boardwalk Pride

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