Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Definitely a cool experience. I like the fact that there's no admission fees. You pay for what you do, not what you look at. Lots of awesome birds and seals to look at. Lots of fun activities and good 'fair food.' Travellers beware: parking is a nightmare. Either you need to get there when the lots open, or find a place 1+ km away and walk in. It's a nice walk, so I recommend the latter. Do NOT try to get down to the boardwalk parking...I spent literally 30 minutes trying to go a couple kilometers.

This is a really cool spot to walk, people watch, and have a little fun, but our feelings were mixed on our visit. First, parking across the street is $20 flat rate. So even if you’re there 30 minutes you’re in for $20. Second, rides are extremely expensive. They REALLY want you to buy wristbands but the lines can be very long so it wasn’t worth it for us. The fair style food was good but the other options seemed mediocre at best. The arcade was actually outstanding and had reasonable rates, which my family enjoyed quite a bit!

The Boardwalk and the entire beach is such a fun place to visit with friends or family. The beach is great to relax and play some sports. Lots of arcades and rides for young people and kids. The walk is long with lots of shops and restaurants to dine in, and of course, the seals make a lovely side attraction. Best to visit in the morning to beat the traffic and find parking a little more easily.

Summer Nostalgia at Its Best 🎡🌭✨ So many great summer memories of coming here with my family — and even from when I was a kid myself! While a few things have changed (no more darts to pop the balloons and the games are now cashless), the magic is still there. Who Can forget going on the carousel and getting the ring that you tossed to the clown to make his eyes light up The corn dogs and funnel cakes are just as amazing as ever, and the people-watching? Still unbeatable. 🎠💛

A Must-Visit Every Time We’re in California 🏖️🏖️ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of those iconic places that we never miss whenever we’re in California! I’ve been here so many times with both family and friends, and it’s always an unforgettable experience. From exciting rides and fun games to the beautiful beach just steps away, there’s something for everyone. The atmosphere is lively, the Boardwalk is full of energy, and there are great restaurants nearby to grab a bite after all the fun. Whether you’re walking the pier, riding the Giant Dipper, or just enjoying the ocean view, it’s always a blast. Truly a perfect mix of beach vibes, classic amusement park fun, and memories that last a lifetime. Highly recommend!

Had a blast!! Been going here since I was 12! Seen lots of changes thru the years. This is one of the best visits. Ride and attractions and food options improved. Love the addition of the tables and benches to eat!! Overall it was a great experience Thank you!!!

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has always been a special place for our family, filled with great memories. The area is clean, the staff are friendly, and there’s no shortage of fun activities to enjoy. It’s been about five years since our last visit, and although some rides have changed, the Boardwalk remains an amazing place to explore. There are plenty of shopping spots and dining options to suit everyone. Parking is $35 for the entire day, but if you’re not planning to stay that long, I recommend using the parking meters instead. They accept quarters and also offer convenient online payment options. The Casino Arcade is packed with entertainment, including classic pinball machines, pool tables, and video games. There’s even a challenging indoor miniature golf course. The beach area is clean, though keep in mind the water tends to be cold year-round. The Boardwalk is also within walking distance of the Wharf, where you’ll find souvenir shops, local merchandise, and opportunities to see seals resting along the dock. You can even rent paddleboards and canoes nearby for more adventure. This place continues to be a wonderful destination for families and visitors of all ages.

Even though I live in the area and have visited several times over the years, I had forgotten how much fun it could be. Our group spanned ages 5 to 70 and a good time was had by all. There is something here for every age range lots of rides and of course a beautiful stretch of sandy beach. Check it out.

Santa Cruz beach boardwalk! A place for family time, where everything isn't way too pricey. Kids love all the rides and food. The wait for the lines isn't too long, and the kids get excited. We come here 2-3x a year! Best beach boardwalk in Northern Cali. Just an hour south of the Bay! Unlike Pier 39, full of tourists. Parking can get expensive but still cheaper than Pier 39.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a must! Wish we got there to enjoy the day at the beach prior but the evening was beautiful. Highly recommend if you are near the area it's a must see/do! So many things to do and so much to see. Parking: $25.00 Food: Tons of options, we had tacos, hamburger & chicken strips all were good Rides: There are options for wristbands or just a prepaid card and swipe as you play games, rides? Food etc, it's pricey but It's all for the experience. Went on the Big Dipper, I don't like roller coasters but my kids and husband loved it

My friends and I planned to visit the boardwalk on a weekend. Food: The food options are plentiful and varied. From classic corn dogs and funnel cakes to fresh seafood. I especially loved the Boardwalk's iconic saltwater taffy. Games: The arcade and carnival games are a highlight. They were a bit costly compared to the other boardwalks I went to but I had a blast playing the ring toss and winning a few prizes. The atmosphere is lively. Beach: The beach itself is gorgeous, with golden sand and stunning views of the ocean. It's perfect for sunbathing, beach volleyball or just relaxing by the waves. The proximity to the Boardwalk makes it easy to take a break from rides and enjoy some time by the water. Just be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. Parking is limited and almost took an entire hour to find a spot.

Who doesn't like rides, candy and games by the beach!? We had do much fun with our kids while we visited Santa Cruz. They keep the area clean and safe! There's plenty of parking and so many things to do. We bought a bunch of souvenirs from the shops on the boardwalk. It's an older amusement park. But fun nonetheless!

I think for the price and rides, the wristband is the way to go. If you buy it ahead of time online it's supposed to be cheaper. Admission to the boardwalk is free, but you do need to pay for parking. If you think about it, it's still cheaper than going to six flags and the lines are (usually) much shorter. I like the variety of rides they have and their roller coaster is pretty fast! They have souvenir shops where you can get some cool merchandise. The bathrooms were pretty clean for the amount of people using them all day. They also have lots of food stands around, though I'd rather take my own snacks.

All I got say is check. Being a fan from the 80s to the greatest film of that time "The Lost Boys". Walking where parts of the amazing film was shot. And enjoying carnival food. The coated almond nuts omg makes me want do that drive all over. You have films like the movie "US" bumble bee and lost boys shot here. You have year round attractions amazing rides and what I felt like million arcade games and carnival games year round. The boardwalk of Santa Cruz was and is amazing. Well worth the stop.

We visited here today while visiting my grandson for Thanksgiving. He has a season pass so we were able to get a pass for today for $10 off. This is an amusement park with arcade and shops right on the beach front. It is great family entertainment and the weather was perfect today. If you live in the area, the season pass is the way to go.

A trip to Santa Cruz isn't complete without a visit to the Boardwalk! This park is accommodating to the whole family. If your planning on spending a day here I definitely recommend just biting the bullet and going with the day wristbands for the rides. It becomes such a nightmare trying to "budget" how many rides you have left on a certain amount of credits. Also, during the summer months and weekends it becomes INCREDIBLY busy (surprise surprise, its an amusement park) so as a local I highly recommend coming near the end of summer, specifically during the week if you want to get the most rides in.

I have been going to Santa Cruz ever since I was 1 years old. This boardwalk holds a lot of great memories and time shared with my loved ones. This Boardwalk is very family friendly with multiple different attractions. One of the most known is the Giant Dipper which is so much fun. Wait times on all the rides are fairly fast. I recommend getting the season pass because in my opinion it's worth it over a daily pass. The passes have their own type of deals and $5 off of the parking. This boardwalk is well worth the money and I suggest that everyone come at least once. Who doesn't love the beach!!! It's right on it!!!! I love this place and you will too!

$1 Wednesdays for the Great Dipper! Definitely a must go! The arcade is expansive with lots of fun games and people. Staff are kinda dead inside but other than that, pretty nice.

Fun rides. Fair food. Sea lions. Makai, a tiki bar and restaurant, on the pier. Bowling across the street. Short hike to the lighthouse. Great setting for pics.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a popular amusement park located in Santa Cruz along the beachfront. My 1st first, First time ever visiting a place like this and I truly loved the experience @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. My very first vist was a spontaneous surprise by the other half. An impromptu visit and I was sure in for a suprise. It was a quick visit and luckily it was a Holiday so street parking was free. But the boardwalk rides wasn't operating until the weekend. It was just cool to check it out, taking tons of photos and checking out the boardwalk and arcade. Our visit was really quick and romantic as we got to walk along the beach holding hands, cherishing the moments. Hehe. The 2nd visit, I wanted to take my son & his friend to check it out before his event, this time the boardwalk was open. We only had one hour to spare, and I really wanted to ride the Skyliner. I loaded $50. on the My Boardwalk card and the 4 of us rode it. The Skyliner brought back memories of my carnival days back home but it was kind of scary, just don't look down. The ride was only one way, and junk that it didn't go completely around, you will have to pay again to go around. Despite that, it was a nice experience. There was enough on the card for my son and his friend to go on another ride (roller coaster) and I actually have more credits on the card, I felt like a kid again so I will ask the other half to take me back when we're at San Jose. Thrilling rides like the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff Carousel, is a National Historic Landmark, There's games and attraction for all ages. Although there's many delicious food options, corn dog, fish/chips, chowder, cotton candy, funnel cakes, we didn't get to take advantage, next visit! Overall, super FUN place, love the experience, great memories! I can't wait to be back again!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a great family destination where you can stroll the boardwalk, enjoy the beach and hit a few thrilla' rides that'll get your heart racing. There's absolutely no entry charge so if you simply want to take in the sights and sounds, buy a funnel cake and see a free Friday concert, it's FREE! If you're there for the thrills, you can go on 7-9 rides in about two hours so buying a $50 bracelet for unlimited rides is the way to go. Most rides are $8. The aroma of burnt sugar, garlic fries and corn dogs, the happy olfactory experience of childhood will come flooding back along with memories of hoping for a kiss from your crush inside The Haunted House. If you have to pick one ride to go on, The Giant Dipper Rollercoaster is seriously jarring and worth the ticket. It's loud and intimidating as it clacks up the wooden rails preparing for the big drop and seriously throws you around as it tilts and swerves at 55 mph. This is the rollercoaster of old and hair-raising fun! Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a summertime must-do at least once a year.

I love the Santa Cruz boardwalk! Make sure you get here early on the weekend because the crowds start getting overwhelming around 10 am, and you will run out of room by the water to set up your tent or blankets. The rides are a lot of fun, but just playing on the beach is all you need. I usually park in the lot by the entrance and this last time I found parking at 1130 but it took some time and it cost $30 for the whole day. There is nowhere else in the country like Santa Cruz, a great mix of eccentric restaurants and people, and a unique beach experience.

This is a nice boardwalk to go to. It is admission free and appropriate for everybody for all ages. They have good rides, shops, food vendors, and other attractions. I don't go on rides or play games there, but it is a good place to walk around and observe. There is also a beach next to it. Though the ocean is really cold if you ask me. People usually come here during the Summer, but obviously not during Winter since it's not the best time. It would be better off if I do certain activities with my friends, but I went here alone. Doesn't really stop me from coming here. I did play miniature golf here with my friends once and thought it was fun. Quite funny that we even never do anything besides that due to prices. They also have like a Haunted House, Water Slide, and other dangerous rides. Never attended to go to either of them haha

A place I frequented in my youth. It still holds up well. So well maintained and a great family atmosphere. The rides are fairly priced. An abundance of food offerings. Plenty of arcade games. And there's a BEACH! Be prepared to pay $20 to park. A great way to spend the day.

Really fun spot , lots of rides games and snacks . They're big on safety , everyone's really nice. It's fun and also kid friendly. There's lots of parking, a lot to do, and multiple roller coasters . It's right on the ocean next to the beach.

Fun place for kids, but expensive. My cousin and I joke that this is like Disney pricing (Disney World specifically, since we live 2 hours away). Parking was $30 which is bananas. My dad parked farther and found free parking, so I would drive around a bit if you're willing to look. Since I have two young children, I was not. The rides themselves are expensive too. It's around $8 per ride. If you want an unlimited ride wristband it is $75. With two children and then one adult to ride with them, that was a no go. There's also a ton of games and places to grab food. The reason I am giving this place 4 stars is it seems like a top attraction to do while in Santa Cruz. We were here on vacation and other than this and Capitola Village (which isn't kid friendly), I didn't see that much else. This place is huge, so if you are doing rides, playing games and eating, I can see spending an entire day here. Most of the attractions open at 11 a.m. We got here at 10:30 a.m. so it was pretty empty, but by the time we left at noon it was packed. I would recommend checking this place out if you are in the area.

Came here just to people watch and enjoy a ride on my own. Yes, overpriced carnival-esque, but there's no entrance fee and you can bring your own food and drinks. Caricature artists, arcade games, souvenir shops, photo booths, entertaining rides, and expensive food that is cheaply made and will clog your arteries. The beach is a beautiful background to all of it. If you don't mind shelling out for the parking, rides, food, and games, you can have a decent time. Or, go play at the beach. You really can't go wrong here. PSA: If you park at the metered parking, go get change and pay with quarters. Do not use the Parkmobile app. See my separate review of Parkmobile on 4/5/24.

Ok just have to say we have been here a million times thru out the years and it's always fun!! Wish they had professional bands on the beach stage like they did a few years ago!!! Greg Rolley was great!!! Los lonely boys great!! And average white band also great!!! Miss those concerts!!! The bands they have now are just local ok bands!! Not all that for me to drive 3 hours to get here!!! But we still already come to chili cook off and clam chowder competition and our family also comes here a lot!! So I guess since I've been coming for over 40 years now my kids and grandkids will always come like we did!! The only reason for three stars not 4 is at the ice cream stand there was a rude server!! She obviously didn't like her job and it showed! But we still same positive when we deal with these type of people so anyway!!!We will see you all again soon!!! Check it out!! Love it!!!

The best Boardwalk in the country. I grew up in the Bay Area and this is my boardwalk. Grade A best of any boardwalk. I've been to others, they are smaller and no where near as majestic. We came here today for the Clam Chowder Cook Off and since this was our first time, we were too late and missed out on doing this as all the judging tasting kits sold out! Boo! But it's ok, we still enjoyed our day walking around, drinking Modelo beer, eating fried junk, sharing a caramel apple, riding the Giant Dipper. The boardwalk puts a big smile on my face, even more so now that I enjoy it with my loving family. Prices have gone thru the roof, I was like, where am I Disneyland? But they've gone thru the roof every where so this place is no exception, so what are ya gonna do?

This place is pretty awsome. The layout, the views, the activities, perfect place to people watch while enjoying some good old fashion junk food. The only real complaints are the traffic getting into the place/parking and the crazy amount of people on the boardwalk.

My childhood memories consists of coming here every summer so it was only right to relive it with my own family. We came here on a Wednesday morning and it started out wonderful! We rode some rides, played many games, won some prizes. Super expensive now... You need to scan every single person even if you are just supervising your toddler on the carousel. And it's not like $1/ ticket it's like $5-$6. The employees at the food and games that we encountered were very pleasant! I appreciated their customer service. But I want to share what turned this experience into a TERRIBLE one. My sister in law was nursing her infant and wanted to ride the Big Dipper. Her husband decided to wait in line until she was done ( which was APPROVED by the employee working the ride) when she was done nursing she came straight to where they were waiting and the SAME employee began to yell at them to not do that. Needless to say there was much confusion regarding the rules as the employee was allowing others to do the same thing. Others in line were also sharing to the aggressive employee " to keep his cool and hold others accountable too". The employee ended up calling SECURITY and did not give my family members an option to speak to a manager. To summarize, the boardwalk staff did not handle the situation professionally and really tainted our family experience. I really wish I could have said otherwise.

I have been to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk when I was a kid but don't remember a lot from then. I recently went here with family and friends and had a great time. The parking looked like it would test my patience but fortunately we got a street parking spot right as someone pulled out! I thought the boardwalk had a fun vibe and all kinds of smells, with the different types of foods and desserts sold. We didn't ride any rides or attractions, just walking up and down the beach and boardwalk was fun enough for us. I felt safe with the amount of security that was patrolling the boardwalk.

Great trip!! We had the best time with family! We enjoyed the boardwalk, arcade, time on the beach and lots of laughs with family.

One of the nicest boardwalks I've been to! Came on a nice sunny afternoon in December. There were lots of family-friendly activities, games, and outdoor fun! The entire area is well maintained and very welcoming. Lots of snacks and food options of the carnival variety -- but restaurants are peppered throughout as well. It's a nice place for a leisurely walk along the beach!

This is a great summer trip for the family to enjoy a fair atmosphere while being at the beach. Don't waste your time and get there at 11 when the carnival rides open. Get there early and take the kids to the arcade and get some fun in for half price till 11. The rides are all really fun with a variety for every age. The place does get busy, so take your time and just enjoy everything. My advice is if you are going to ride the rides is buy the wrist band online and save some money. The food is not great and it's pretty expensive so plan on that when you are budgeting your trip.

The boardwalk has always been my happy place as someone who was born and raised here and worked at the wharf nearby in high school. I have countless happy summer memories of long, lazy days here going on ride after ride, eating corn dogs and frozen bananas on a stick, and just enjoying the day. I'm glad to report that it only keeps getting better! Of course, prices are more expensive than they were when I was growing up, but there are ways to enjoy a boardwalk day without breaking the bank. I recommend going during a weekday if you can swing it (parking is only $20 for the whole day instead of $30 on the weekends and there aren't as many people). Also, be sure to buy your tickets online in advance! We purchased our unlimited ride wristbands online a few days before going and we saved $20 per ticket doing so. Lastly, bring your own water bottle from home - you'll pay about $5 per bottle if you buy within the boardwalk. The unlimited ride wristband at $55 for the online price is a good value if you are planning on being there for several hours and want to fit in as many rides as possible. FYI: The Giant Dipper just added a new cart for its 100th anniversary, which makes the line way faster. We were able to go on it more than once which never happens! Other favorite rides include: Wipeout, Tsunami, Crazy Surf, and Logger's Revenge. There is something for everyone though, and it never gets old. Thank you for reading my love letter to the boardwalk!

Love this place, like an amusement park by the beach so you can play in the sand or do some rides, arcades, and have festival food. We always go for the corn dogs at Surf City Grill and dipped ice cream cones. If your little ones want to play in calmer water there is a river along the far side of the boardwalk (away from the pier) that has sand, bathroom, and shower nearby. Rides are a bit pricey. You have the option of purchasing an all day wrist band or a card with credit. Check the website for discounts. Last weekend we went traffic was horrible and one of the staff gave us this flyer for alternative parking. If you can get there early - meter street parking is pretty cheap. Where I parked was 0.75 per hour first 2 hours then 1.50 every hour afterwards. Bring quarters.

Just what you think of for summer in a beach town. Food, rides, beach, arcade, games... parking can be crazy - we paid $20 for the lot across the street.

This was my first time at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I have been to Venice Beach, CA but this was completely different. There were sporting events in the sand and bars/eateries of all sorts around. There are places to play carnivalesque games, an arcade, fair food like churros, funnel cakes and oversized corn dogs. While there my wife and I bought some corn dogs (located by the bumper cars) and went to the beer room. They have a decent selection of beer. You can buy a drink and enjoy watching people drive around in the bumper cars through the window. I had a great time and plan to come back again.

My children love it here. Although it's always busy, nothing is more important than time with family

It's exactly the same as I remember it when I was a kid. Fair food such as corn dogs, veggie corn dogs, popcorn, and more. The boardwalk is a fun place to come as a family or on a date. There is so much to do, such as hangout at the beach, playing at the fun center casino Arcades, mini golf at Neptune's Kingdom, bumper cars and a carousel, just to name a few. We came later in the afternoon, so we didn't get much time here, but we tried to walk the whole boardwalk, and we were able to and saw a beautiful sunset.

Fun! So much fun! All the rides were great, the haunted castle ride is scary and like pitch black so I don't recommend that ride. Also, only like 14 rides were open but it's okay and we still had an awesome time.

Haven't been to the Boardwalk since I was a teenager, came back over this past weekend to bring my kids to experience it. It was cool that some of the rides we rode on as kids were still in service so the next generation could experience it as well. We decided to purchase the wristbands for unlimited rides - if you do it online ahead of time, you can save $20/person. Depending on how many rides and what rides you want to go on, this can be a good way to save some money than paying per ride. Even though the lines are not generally very long, some of them move super slowly, like the ride to the Haunted Castle. In addition, a lot of the rides do not have a clear area for where to line up, so you just have a congregation of people at the entrance. That could be better organized. There are a lot of rides to choose from as well as many boardwalk game booths and food stands along the way. It's easy to spend an entire day here. And of course, being right next to the beach, you can also go down into the sand and relax if you want a little break.

Why was I born and bred in California but never visited Santa Cruz Boardwalk??? Sure, I live close to the Santa Monica Pier and Long Beach's Shoreline Village, and Manhattan beach pier but those don't compare in my opinion! And to think you're 5 minutes from the forest just blows my mind. There are rides, slides, shops, games and the boardwalk runs a few feet above and parallel to the beach so you've got a great view. The parking was across the street and was $18 but we got there about 4pm so we found street metered parking (you have to download some app to pay and it ended up being $4). Pro tip: There were bathrooms below in the kiddie area that had an attendant and she kept them super clean! We were shocked for it to be a public beach. I wish I would have thought to rip her!! Oh, and the best part is it's free to enter! Can't wait to go back.

Very fun place for family weekend getaway. We enjoyed our time here very much . Definitely recommend:)

I used to come here for the classic theme park rides, arcade machines, midway games, and the pirate-themed mini golf inside Neptune's Kingdom, while enjoying strawberry and chocolate covered funnel cakes and other yummy carnival food in a laid back beach setting. But over the years, I discovered just how much there is to appreciate about this amusement park, even as an adult. Palm trees, colorful lights, the classic carousel and Giant Dipper roller coaster, plenty of decent food options including pizza, hot dogs, tacos, and more, the Boardwalk even has its own brand of beer. The beach provides a picturesque backdrop, with ample space to enjoy picnics, dipping your toes in the water, or even some volleyball. Non-ride attractions include Fright Walk under the boardwalk, a thrilling haunted house year-round (and we certainly got our thrills out of this recently!) Free daily entertainment too (magicians,  comedians, live music, and more). When we visited last Friday, Bob At Large put on a mini circus street performance type of show at the Colonnade stage, which was about 20 minutes long (several showtimes daily). Though his juggling and balancing acts were somewhat amusing, I was most entertained by his humor, he had me laughing the entire time as he cracked jokes and poked fun at the crowd. They also have free movies on the beach, the highlight of my visit this past weekend. A feeling of bliss and nostalgia, watching The Neverending Story while lying in the sand underneath the moonlit sky on a beautiful summer night. Free street parking is hard to find nearby, but the $20 lot is convenient and reliable, right in front of the amusement park.

I loved my Santa Cruz boardwalk experience. Lots of lively people and the food was pretty good. Definitely find yourself some nachos and cheesy fries!!

I have fond memories of coming here as a kid with my dad. Great carnival type rides, games, beach, mini golf, and arcade games. Even years later, the place is still around, with the same nostalgic rides (i.e. Giant Dipper, celebrating 100 years this year!) and arcade games. I didn't appreciate here when I was a student at UC Santa Cruz, probably only came about 2-3 times in my whole time in undergrad, unfortunately. I really took it for granted. It's fun that this Beach Boardwalk still exists, and hopefully still stays around for generations to come. I took my daughter here this past week, and I'm grateful for its existence! Some parts are still the same, nicely restored. Other parts like the bathrooms, could be redone. I appreciate that all the carnival games I played as a kid are still there, however they are quite expensive. I do really like the arcade here, which I think is harder to find these days. You don't even need cash anymore, you can conveniently charge your credit card to a Boardwalk Card (free) which you can just load up for rides, games, etc. Fun souvenir! Will always return for the nostalgia!

I love this place! The lines aren't as long as Disneyland and the rides are fun which is a plus. Here some pictures I took with my camera!

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk has been on my bucket list since watching the Lost Boys as a kid. We spent a few hours here while passing through. We got a $100 play card which got us on a handful of rides. We did the Giant Dipper and some of the smaller rides including the walking haunting house. The kids did the laser tag. We visited on a Sunday at the end of August and the crowds were not that bad. Waited on average of about 20 minutes for the bigger rides. Prices are about what you'd expect for a theme park. They sell beer and there is a descent selection. The food is your typical fair type stuff. We also walked over to the pier where there were additional shops and a beer tasting tent. Definitely a must do if your in the Santa Cruz area.

Family Fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, from age 4 to age 65 we spent seven hours here . On a cooler than normal Santa Cruz day we had a blast on the rides, sampled some treats and laughed until we cried. I loved seeing Laughing Sal, the original Wurlitzer Organ from San Francisco's Playland at the Beach, memories of my childhood. Spend the day with friends and family at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, laughing truly is the best medicine.

I recommend arriving early so you can reap the benefits of parking and seeing the beauty of this location. Saw a strong police presence on arrival and even Security patrol. Food is great and offers some unique and tasty treats. Arcade is clean with plenty of games and amusement. This is a well kept place that's family friendly and will not disappoint.

The boardwalk is an amazing place. My mom used to take me here all the time, and I return with my son a few times a year. The views are amazing, the rides are awesome and the food rivals any county/state fair. Definitely come here for a few days of fun. You won't be disappointed. We tried a whole bunch of food. Pulled pork tatchoes, strawberry Nutella crepe, popcorn chicken and fries, and burgers. Solid food, better than most theme parks.

What an amazing place to visit. We were here on our daughter's spring break and absolutely enjoyed our time at the boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk is packed with rides, shops, food, and fun. We spent the entire day soaking it all in. Plenty of restrooms, so no long walks from one end to the other looking for relief. The rides are fun and clean, and we really enjoyed taking the gondola over the crowd. If you're lucky, you can see seals in the ocean or dolphins. Parking out of the area was free and only a short walk to the boardwalk. Lots of memories were made here during our stay.

One of the last great/old/classic seaside amusement parks that has stood the test of time and still delivers a day of fun. It's got everything a kid, teen or nostalgic adult could want - thrill rides, kiddie rides, fair food, carnival games, video arcade, skee ball, mini golf, laser tag - no shortage of things to do. Highlights include the Giant Dipper (100+ year old roller coaster!), the Carousel and the bumper cars. Buy a plastic ride card from a ticket booth or a machine, you can buy per ride or an all-day pass. Right on a great beach, often sunny here even when the rest of Monterey Bay is fogged in. All-day lots and some metered parking spots.

We visited on Friday night near closing time. The rides are not operated during the week, but on the weekends. The other shops are open until 8-10 PM depending on the business. Lots of eating places and places to take photos along the beach. Recommend to come during the weekend if you are ok with crowds.

Stupid expensive and over crowded. If you want to eat, you can just step outside the boardwalk and anything you get anywhere else is half the cost. Even a coke costs $7.