Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California. Voted Best Seaside Park.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California is an amazing experience that combines classic amusement park fun along a stunning coastal beach located along the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. You get beautiful views of the ocean while you explore the boardwalk and its lively atmosphere full of fun, games and amusement type foods.
We have been to this location twice because we have really enjoyed the nostalgia of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Some of the below pictures will look different as the weather was different both times we visited.
Santa Cruz Beach
The boardwalk sits next to the beach which allows you to visit both the beach and amusement park on the same day. You can spend time at the amusement park and then take a break and head to the beach to relax by the ocean. The ocean allows time for walking, building sandcastles, or swimming with the waves.
If you prefer to visit the ocean first, you can walk through the Boardwalk to get to the beach even if the Boardwalk is closed. The beach and boardwalk access are FREE to visit. My kids had never been in the Pacific Ocean, and they were surprised at how cold the water felt. Despite the cold they put their feet right in. It was so fun seeing them smile and laugh as the waves came crashing in, getting their feet and clothes wet! They had so much fun being on the beach that day!
Beach & Travel related items we use
I always wear my Teva sandals on the sand. This allows me to walk into the water if I want and not worry about ruining my shoes.
Lululemon belt bag. I use this everywhere I travel to hold my necessary items.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
After some much needed time on the beach we headed into the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to get our wristbands so the kids could enjoy the rides. My husband and I did not purchase wristbands to save money. We just enjoyed watching them ride and having fun.
This iconic park has a wooden roller coaster, built in 1924, called the Giant Dipper and continues to thrill riders today. Enjoy a carousel ride with antique horses, Sea Swings, and of course the fantastic view of the ocean.
Now this is by no means a huge amusement park, but my husband and I had visited here before on our own and just loved the nostalgia of it being on the beach, so we wanted to take our kids there too.
Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California
Cost: Entrance to the Boardwalk is FREE. Ride prices vary depending on day. $39.95 to $74.95 per wristband for unlimited rides all day. You can also purchase a MyBoardwalk card for $50 or $100 to ride individual rides or to use for arcade games. If you purchase tickets online you can save up to $20. You cannot purchase online the day you plan to attend to receive the discount. (2024)
Ride Hours: hours vary depending on season. Typically open between 10am-12pm and close between 7-11pm. Rides are closed during the week from September to May except during certain weeks (example: spring break).
Arcade Hours: open daily. Hours vary depending on season.
Things to do: rides, arcade games, mini golf, food vendors, laser tag, sky glider, fright walk, bowling, beach and more. Restrooms on site.
Parking: Boardwalk all-day parking is available for $20 weekday and $25 for weekends. After rides close it is $5 parking.
Events and entertainment
Throughout the year, you will find multiple events that continues to offer many fun filled moments to help create some meaningful memories. Some of those events include:
concerts
art festival
junior lifeguard days
fireworks
Dipper Days where you can ride the Giant Dipper for $1 on Wednesdays
movies on the beach
Fiesta en la Playa
Beach Blitz Christian Overnight
Chili cookoff
Winter Wonderland
clam chowder cookoff
fun run
and more
Carnival Food at the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk has a wide range of amusement park foods to sample. With multiple vendors you can enjoy food such as corn dogs, cotton candy, caramel apples, funnel cakes, deep fried foods, pizza, and our favorite chocolate covered bacon which we love. We of course enjoyed the food vendors and sampled quite a bit of different food and drinks. We had smoothies, fried Oreos, fried pickles, garlic fries, caramel dipped apples, hamburgers, corndogs, saltwater taffy and more……..I know you are drooling……There is nothing quite like Carnival food!
Hours: Most are open the same hours as the rides
Map of the Boardwalk
Starting at Fisherman’s wharf in San Francisco, enjoy a tour in a 1970’s VW bus. This 2-hour sightseeing tour takes you to multiple locations. Prices start at $85.
Restaurants & Souvenirs on Municipal Wharf
After we spent some time on the rides and enjoying some carnival foods, we walked to the Municipal Wharf to buy some souvenir’s and eat dinner. We ate at Woodies Café and enjoyed our meal as we sat at our table enjoying the ocean view. With 9 restaurants to choose from you are sure to find something good to eat. (2024)
Woodies Cafe
Woodies Café opens at 11am daily. The sell classic American food from burgers, pasta, seafood, and yummy shakes. They also sell beach ware and souvenirs.
After eating we spent some time browsing the shops along the wharf where we purchased a few souvenirs. As we walked the pier, we saw sea lions sunning on the docks by the wharf, so we took some time to enjoy watching them bask in the sun.
Wharf hours: 5am to 2am
Facebook and Instagram: @SantaCruzWharf
I love this picture of the Boardwalk next to the beach!
Walking tour of Santa Cruz
While in Santa Cruz we took time to walk the town and find a new place to eat. There were quite a few great places to shop and eat on Pacific Ave and the surrounding streets. We chose to eat at Woodstock’s Pizza which was a 20 minute walk from our hotel. The toppings at Woodstock’s Pizza were of such great quality and the crust was oh so filling, Yummy!! The pizza was absolutely delicious and I would definitely recommend this place if you are ever in Santa Cruz. They have more than pizza, they also have salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and desserts.
Address: 710 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am to 12am, Friday to Saturday 11am to 1am
There are so many other shops and restaurants in this area and Trader Joes is located right next door to Woodstock’s Pizza. Spend the day here shopping and eating or a few hours before heading back to your hotel for the night.
I wouldn’t walk this area from the restaurant to our hotel by myself at night but felt safe walking during the day with my husband. The area around the pizza place felt safe though.
Hotels in Santa Cruz
I wanted to stay within walking distance to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk but the hotel prices were way too high. I kept searching and by chance I found a hotel, Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk and it was within walking distance to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and it was closest to our price range knowing we would pay a little more being so close to the beach. It is a 6-minute walk from our hotel to the boardwalk.
Cost: Current price in 2023 is around $200 to $389. Prices are higher in the summer and on the weekend.
Address: 314 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, California
The accommodations were acceptable for the convenience of the location. We wouldn’t have to spend any gas money while there as we could walk to the beach and restaurants. The manager showed great concern for his guests and we could tell we were his priority. The hotel lobby isn’t open 24/7 like some larger hotel chains. So if you are going to be coming in late please call the manager to let him know and he will wait up for you. There is an outdoor pool to enjoy as well.
Continental Breakfast: The breakfast was typical and nothing special, but it was included in the price, so we accepted it. The breakfast was located in the very small lobby (where you check in) to eat in, the smallest I have ever seen which made little room for all the guests to sit at. You may choose to take your breakfast and go back to your room where it will be more comfortable.
Need a place to sleep while in Santa Cruz? Check out booking.com or VRBO to book the perfect place to stay.
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Our final stretch of our 2019 West-Coast trip started at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California after we left Las Vegas. The temp when we left Las Vegas was 104-degree heat and when we arrived in Santa Cruz the temp was 54 degrees, a huge difference in temps, therefore it felt cold! Always be prepared for a quick change in weather.
Enjoy the journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I am a girl who loves to travel and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US.
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