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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA

Photo: StephenKearney23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsIconicFamily FavoriteFree

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

400 Beach St · Santa Cruz, CA

Why you should go…

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk opened in 1907 and is California's oldest surviving amusement park. It is free to walk in, and you pay only for the rides you choose, using tickets or a day wristband. The Giant Dipper wooden coaster from 1924 and the Looff Carousel from 1911, whose band organ dates to 1894, are together a National Historic Landmark. Arcades, game booths and snack stands line the walk, and Main Beach is steps away.

  • #amusement park
  • #roller coaster
  • #beach boardwalk
  • #arcade
  • #carousel

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Santa Cruz's walkable downtown shopping and dining district along Pacific Avenue.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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    California coastal county known for its beaches, redwood forests, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

    0.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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