The Giant Dipper roller coaster is one of the few remaining examples of a friction-ride wooden coaster built in the 1920s.
The park's 1911 Looff Carousel still uses a hand-carved Wurlitzer organ to provide music for riders.
The Carousel features a ring dispenser that allows riders to grab metal rings and toss them into a clown's mouth target.
The Boardwalk serves as a frequent film location, notably appearing in the 1987 horror film The Lost Boys.
The park was designated a California State Historic Landmark in 1987.
It is one of the few remaining seaside amusement parks on the West Coast of the United States.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest surviving seaside amusement park, having opened in 1907. It operates as a classic Victorian-style seaside pleasure ground located directly on a public sandy beach. The park features two National Historic Landmarks: the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel. It contains over 30 rides, including modern thrill machines and vintage attractions. The site remains admission-free, functioning as an open-access pedestrian promenade where visitors pay per ride. It serves as a focal point for the city’s surf culture and coastal tourism sector. The park is situated on a linear footprint along the Monterey Bay shoreline.
From the far end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf looking back toward the Boardwalk to capture the entire coastline and coaster in one frame.
Purchase an all-day ride wristband if you plan to ride more than four attractions to save on individual ticket costs.
Check the park's online calendar for free summer concert and movie nights held directly on the beach.
Visit the upper level of the Neptune's Kingdom arcade for indoor miniature golf and air-conditioned gaming.
Avoid visiting on major summer holidays if you dislike dense crowds, as queue times for popular rides can exceed 60 minutes.
The park operates daily during the summer, but shifts to weekends-only operations during the spring and late autumn seasons.
Casual beach attire is acceptable, but shirts and footwear are required for all indoor venues and dining areas.
