Ive been coming to the boardwalk all my life since I was just a boy. I honestly dont have any negative comments about this place. If youre in the area you definitely have to stop by and walk around. They have so much to do here. The neighboring businesses around this location are great as well. A lot of history in this place and they always hold special events throughout the year. You can just buy a beer and walk around the boardwalk, go on rides, go to the arcade, play pool, play mini golf, go to the beach, etc. Great place to take photos due to the buildings and rides being so colorful and quick tip stay until night time that place looks amazing. Beach is clean, arcade is huge, rides are fun, food isnt too bad actually, variety of drinks at their stalls are expansive.
My first time coming here and it was quite an experience and one to remember. My family and I had a blast!Let me start of by saying getting the unlimited rides wristband was beyond worth it. We pretty much got on all the rides and the lines moved along pretty quick which was not too shabby at all. It was pretty awesome for an outdoor attraction/theme park and can not wait to come back again.There a lot going on at the Boardwalk beside roller coaster rides. Shopping places, many places/stands to get incredibly delicious food, henna tattoos, arcade and carnival games as well! A little bit of everything include access to the Monterey Bay which was beyond beautiful, peace and a whole vibe itself. Come here for a weekend getaway was much needed and a perfect spot to go to.
My kids and friends always have fun when we go to Santa Cruz Beach. If you like games, rides or walk on the boardwalk lots of fun.. or walk on the pier see the boats go by. The sea lions like to linger under the bridge to cool off from the sun. People fishing or crabbing on the pier.. kids love to dig in the sand and play in the ocean.. you can pay parking all day with the $20 $15 or park on the side walks pay by meters.. or park on the pier pay by hourly.. there are lots of restaurants on the pier to dine in or take out ad eat on the ⛱️🏖️🏖️⛱️⛱️
The best family entertainment in the area. Always a fun time for everyone! Been here many times to eat, play games, ride the rides, shop for souvenirs, and even watch fireworks on the Boardwalks birthday! Getting our cartoon portrait as a family done was one of my favorite parts of our recent trip! Im glad the artists were there and set up for success!
My family & I spent the day on the boardwalk. We bought lots of tee’s & sweatshirts for us & souvenirs for friends.We had a wonderful dinner. The only thing that wasn’t right was 1 store advertised sweatshirt was $19.99 and after daughter paid Receipt was $34.99 x 6. False advertising.I went back in w/ daughter then cashier corrected back my card $86.Then lunch @ Reva check was $82. When we gave them are card they rang up $134. ??? Big difference!We had to leave catch a plain waiter was inside so we couldn’t tell him.Everything else was wonderful but just double check you bill before paying. My kids didn’t
Definitely set aside at least a majority of one day to be fully able to enjoy everything the boardwalk has to offer. It has a lot of attractions from rides, to games, and food / shopping so there is plenty for everyone to do. In addition, the beach is really nice, though it can get a bit crowded. It may not be worth your time if you come later in the day, as the lines definitely start to build up as closing hours approach, though if you are on a line already after the ride closes, you still will be allowed on, so really you can get on any line up to closing. If youre into rides, the wrist band options are definitely worth it. Almost feels like a miniature version of Six Flags on the beach!
Not the biggest fan of the new way they are doing things but still very fun and the food is better then alot of other Amusement parksIf you buy your tickets online you save $10 which is better than paying full price.They Open at 12pm and close at 7pm and the lines you can imagine were Long very Long so pick and choose your spots where you want to have fun...Arcade is awesome lots to do.Over allFamily of 4All day Ride wristbands we did about9 Rides $200Arcade Game Card$100Food Snacks for 7 Hours very reasonable prices on food.$100Souvenirs Merch$ 75
If possible, go on weekdays. The wait on weekends is (obviously) ridiculous. The wait for food, rides, and even tickets. We bought our tickets online, hoping to save sometimes but I guess. I did enjoy some rides, but the arcade was boring. I mean it’s good deal still if you just want to go enjoy the beach.It is my first time going back ever since COVID and I still have my mask on despite the fact that I am fully vaccinated. It is impossible to have any personal space with the amount of people in here. However, I did accept the risk of the exposure. Just don’t rely on any social distancing or cleaning protocols if you are cautious about the virus.Overall, a good place to have some fun. Better if it wasn’t too crowded
My youngest and I went on Saturday, the first weekend after the mask mandate was lifted and it was business as usual! I personally loved it but I understand there are many people who have their reservations about wearing their masks and social distancing. If this is you, you probably want to avoid coming for now otherwise get ready to be in lines where everyone is pressed up against each other, you know like we used to do, hehe. Beach, sun, rides and all your Boardwalk favorites is open for business, enjoy!!
I’ve been to quite a few “beach boardwalk” amusement parks throughout the country and this might be my favorite. It’s well maintained, well run and has a really good selection of rides including a well maintained classic wooden coaster and a brass ring carousel. Only negatives are the costs of the parking and the lack of food options besides normal “fair food”. If you want that classic boardwalk vibe and some great rides, you have to visit!
Overall great attraction, loved the beach and the food. Unfortunately, the power went out the afternoon we were there. Did not get to go on any rides, and could not buy any souvenirs or additional food/treats. Very disappointing for the family as we had traveled from Washington state specifically to visit the Boardwalk. Many of the staff seemed inexperienced and lacked service skills. We had just loaded several hundred dollars onto our Boardwalk cards for the kids when the power went out. Trying to get a refund was a very frustrating process, especially since we were from out of state. However, we were finally able to get a refund several days later. Leaving the parking lot that day was also frustrating as you could not pay at the kiosks due to no power, and they demanded cash which most people did not have since the park doesnt except cash. People were already angry and disappointed about having their day ruined so demanding cash payment to exit was a bit too much. It resulted in the park finally relenting and opening up all the gates so people could leave. Had it not been for the power outage, I would have given the Boardwalk 5 stars. Even though the power outage was not their fault, they could have handled the situation better which is why I gave them 3 stars.
My family and I absolutely love this place! It really is a fairytale land! Do you have a typical boardwalk with a typical beach and ocean view with an atypical amusement park all rolled into one. Roller coasters, arcade machines, chair lifts, haunted castles, food and drink, surf shops. This place has got it all. If you’re looking for a magical place to take your family, then this will most certainly will hit your top 10 list forever. Guaranteed. During the summer months they have movies projected on the beach just outside of the amusement park.
A truly magical and special place to bring family, friends, or a date to make forever memories. With historic rollercoasters, arcades, boardwalk, oceanfront, and pier. So much fun. If you need a break, perhaps go for a dip in the ocean, build a sand castle, or visit some sea lions.Only warning: It ain’t cheap. Between day pass and 8 dollar slices of pizza, one can spend a small fortune. However, by packing a lunch and buying a day (or season) pass one line (make sure to do so at least a day in advance to get at least a 10 dollar discount), you can save a bundle. Alternatively, grab some eats nearby at one of the local eateries.
This was our first visit and we had so much fun!! We had mid-week tickets-the ride wait-times were short and we enjoyed going on our favorite rides multiple times. (We decided to return on the weekend and it was crazy crowded, the traffic was heavy, and parking was almost non-existent…so mid-week was the best choice.) I was impressed by the restroom attendants who did their best to clean after each person…they were working hard and doing a good job keeping the restrooms reasonably clean and well-stocked with soap/towels/tp. We brought sanitizer with us, and with the bathrooms well-stocked we felt comfortable enjoying our time! We are all hoping to return again…we made great memories!! The wharf, right down the street, had fun shops that we really enjoyed on our weekend visit.
Great place to visit when the sun is out. I usually dont see many people swimming in the cold dark water. The rides and entertainment are always good to experience. I like the junk food there which is my getaway treat. The staff working the entertainment need a little bit of a spark sometimes. I like when the volleyball courts are packed but wished they had basketball courts too. Something new I found is the selling of Mexican hotdogs near the pier side. Its cool to get on your way home. They also sold merchandise on the street
Ever since I was a kid many years ago, the boardwalk had a special place in my heart because of the excitement of mixing an amusement park with a great beach. And today is no different. My problem is that the lines to my favorite food stalls, like the one for garlic fries, are always too long. So be prepared to wait or bring your own food.
Definitely get the daily pass, and come early in the day to avoid longer lines! We did over 30 rides for a $37 pass so its worth it. You got rides for all ages and its just a fun family day!!
Beautiful day with perfect weather. Loved our day trip to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Must wear a mask in doors.
Classic spot, can’t beat having a beach right there next to all the fun stuff. Some of the attractions feel a bit dated but for some that may feel like part of the appeal. Also the food is pretty pricey considering it’s fairly basic.
We had a blast. A great afternoon. If you plan to spend the day and hit many rides, get the wristband.
Nice place along the warf. Food was good. Staff was friendly and efficient. Had a great view of the ocean while we ate and had the pleasure of watch a sail boat come in the bay. All in all a good experience.
Love this place every time I go! My family lives in Va and when they came out I took them to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Tahoe. They had a blast here and loved every second of It. From the food, attractions, scenery, and just the vibe had a blast. Cant wait to go back. I recommend going early before it opens then park as soon as it opens and do all the attractions you want before it gets too busy. Even when its busy its fun!
Stunning views. Beautiful sea. The boardwalk is clean and gives views of houses on one side and sea on another.
I absolutely love Santa cruz. It was meant to be a stop for us but ended up being my favorite spot. Great options for restaurants. Dog friendly and just cool vibes overall. A must go to.
A coastal classic! I have been visiting Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk regularly for probably 20 years. I visit with friends and family and everyone has such great memories here. We love the rides and the beach atmosphere. Our annual must-dos include having a corn dog, riding the Giant Dipper, playing mini golf and having a beer on the beach.
Born and raised New Yorker finally visiting the ride that inspired the Cyclone for the first time. I love Coney Island, but part of its allure is how truly gritty and vile it is; the Santa Cruz Boardwalk feels almost dreamy in comparison. Everything was so clean and polished and bright. Like a cartoon boardwalk. I had such a wonderful afternoon just wandering around.
Awesome time at the boardwalk. I will be taking the grandkids next year to enjoy the rides, beach and shopping. My best suggestion is to get there early to find parking. I parked across the street for $20.00.
Go early if you wanna find decent parking. Otherwise, it was great. Few shops to explore, mini golf, and of course all the rides. Right on the beach, such a beautiful sight
The boardwalk has opened up even better since after covid-19 pandemic. The staff is truly helpful and amazing, theres great communication and they even have security to make sure that youre wearing your mask! The rides are still epic and The food is better than usual! We had an absolutely amazing weekend day there went on about six rides and had such a great time riding the big dipper! This place is nostalgic and pretty much one of my favorite places in California Thank you Santa Cruz!
A nice place for kids. Its better to get there early for a parking spot.
Best boardwalk Ive been to in a while. You can spend all day there, we had a great time. Well be back Santa Cruz...
Beautiful place and a lot to do. A lot of shops. Rides like a big carnival. Beautiful beach smelt like a lake instead of an ocean. Beautiful though and all the sail boats. Saw some sea lions that was so cool.
I only came in contact with the maintenance and security personnel there. But they were all friendly and very informative great job guys!
In general, Santa Cruz is always fun! But this particular day...not so much. In regards to it being still pandemic times, there was a LOT of people there. I know everyone is just wanting to get back to normal, but wow. No personal space to be found anywhere. I found not even one hand sanitizing station ANYWHERE on the boardwalk. None. Not sure if protocols even exist now at the park? But didnt seem like it to me. Being someone who got vaccinated, and was just getting comfortable taking my mask off again, I ended up putting it back on. Lines for everything, rides and some food spots were ridiculous.
The beach is a 5 but the boardwalk is way over-priced and the motels are way over-priced!!! Get a room a few miles away and youll be better off if your on a budget and also get food elsewhere. Downtown is nice with a tone of restaurants and shops! Parking is a challenge on the street with an app based meter that is problematic so I recommend the lot at the boardwalk. 25bucks. 🤑🤮
Fun time as always. We went on a Friday from 1:30pm-7:30pm. Weather was great 75-80 with a light breeze. It wasnt to crowded. All the rides were open, plus Every food place except for the frappe stand. Even though food lines werent usually long, at times the wait took a while as the workers were doing multiple tasks. Every stand was cashless so keep that in mind. I bought the wrist band online the night before to save $10 each. We didnt make time for the beach, but it wasnt overly crowded either.Youre supposed to wear masks in the shops & arcade. Several people were masked walking around as well. I felt the staff did a good job keeping the place clean. There was always staff members or security walking around to lend help to people. I would try & go during the week if possible.
We had so much fun. We went during the middle of the week. Lines we short and fast. Kiddos loved the arcade room. Beach was clean. Food was awesomeeee.
I love coming out to Santa Cruz Boardwalk.. Food is delicious.. you can walk to railroad tracks near boardwalk.. Reminds me of The movie lost boys, which was filmed out here.. The beach is nice.. There is a stream of water on the side were the water is slow under the railroad tracks were the kids can play and get wet away from the ocean..
Always love heading out to the beach with the family, great to know I could buy the family passes & have a couple free pass days thru out the season... I bought 5 and got 5 people in for free THANKS SANTA CRUZ...The best part is you stand in line for zero to maybe 15 minutes and youre on the ride, not the same situation if you go to Great America, sorry I love you too, but its just easier for me and the kids coming to Santa Cruz...And the food has become more personal its not just like buying hot dogs and hamburgers their food has really upgraded and even almost gourmet status...
Great place to visit, weather was beautiful. Unfortunately the boardwalk lost power, we waited around for about almost 2 hours and then decided to leave. Wasted all day passes because of the outage.
A relic, the no-entry-fee amusement park! Yes, everything costs money to actually participate and parking/traffic both suck... You can go for a beach day and still take advantage of the candy store and deep fried delights! Maybe buy just enough tickets for a sunset coaster ride on the Big Dipper. Its nostalgic for my family, so the character plays a role in our love of Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk.
Quaint beach boardwalk with carnival type rides, games and food. I highly recommend buying tickets for the rides online in advance because the lines for the ticket booths can get ridiculous. And then, you have to wait in line for the rides themselves. Cool place to hang out or bring your kids and have a beer by the beach while they enjoy the amusements. Definitely worth a stop.
A California Classic! Games, rides, and roller coasters right on the beach. The Giant Dipper is an historic coaster, over a hundred years old but of course they keep it like new. The carousel has one of those great throw-the-ring-at-the-clown games built in. There is a bowling alley, game arcade, indoor mini golf, plus carnival food and churros in every color of the rainbow! Pro tip: to avoid any beach-vampire hassles at night, I always leave a few minutes before closing.
I visited this place back in July of 2018. I must admit, the rides were not bad. Im more a person who likes to feel the adrenaline rush when in a roller coaster. Sadly, none of the rides got a scream out of me 😂. But its better than nothing & pretty good for a boardwalk. In general, it is a great place for everyone to enjoy. The food was was pretty great. I have to say, the view was magnificent! 💯
I had so much fun! This was the first time I had been there. Rides were great and the food was good as well. Going down by the water was very peaceful to me! Have to go again!
Nice to be able to enjoy all that Santa Cruz beach boardwalk has to offer.it has been a long time due to covid safety concerns
Its great to be back outside again.Clean & Safe atmosphere as always.Thank you Santa Cruz.
Feels like Im 9 again, when my grandparents took me and my cousins for a week in the 70s. This time, we took my 12 year old grandson. We all had a blast!
There so much to do and see. Our experience was more than we imagined. The sealions were under the board walk playing, to kayaking and so many shops to walk through and see. Theres seafood in just about every restaurant and its all smells good. Definitely a must visit! We will be back
Fantastic place for the entire family. Lots of activities available. Sea lions are additional entertainment.
The boardwalk was awesome. Didnt ride any of the rides during my visit, but I ate some good food and enjoyed a round of mini-golf. I also appreciated the fact the boardwalk was really clean too, didnt see any trash lying around. Next time I visit, I will definitely go on a few of the rides :)
Only 35 miles from Santa Cruz beach and it took us 1h25m to get to there and parked. Crazy crowded on hot days when temp in the 90s. All frustrations faded after we relaxed on the sand enjoying the ocean waves. Love it here !
Dig this Boardwalk! All ages All Sizes! Rainbow Friendly! Now open for business! This is a super place to take the family. Daughter planned a during the week visit, Grandsons included! Open Hours modified 12-7 - Arcade till 9. Minimum size for Rides like the Big Giant Dipper, Tornado 48”. There are reloadable cards, unlimited wrist bands $40 or Season Passes for $89! Lines were averaging about 20 minutes. No pets. If you’ve never visited the Boardwalk it is right next to the Main Santa Cruz Harbor, Arcade adjacent and loads of parking for $20.00 All Day. Santa Cruz Bowl nearby. A 6 hour day goes by quickly! Bathrooms on either side of the park. Wheelchair accessible. Lockers for storage for wild rides! The Giant Dipper and Carousel are historic sites! You’ll have a blast!
My family and I had a great time. It was perfect for a quick family get away.
Its been a long time since I was able to experience the Pacific Ocean. Very clean.Awesome experience. Thanks Santa Cruz.Thanks again to my Sister Jenny Jo Conner for the Best Day Ever.
Love the beach boardwalk.. the tickets are a bit expensive but it was worth getting the unlimited bracelet. Short walk to the ocean. Cant wait to go back again!
Good thing is its admission free and you can just try rides youre interested in. Highly recommend sky glider! Its pretty fun, and its fantastic to take a bird view of the sea.The only downside is its toooo crowded. Each rides take so long to wait. Its also very hard to find a parking.
What a fun experience! My whole life I have driven up and down the coastline and never had I ever been. It was worth the trip and what a little adventure. It rivals the big amusement parks, in my opinion. The view is also better.
I love the Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk!🎡🎢🍭!! The rides are Awesome! The food is great, They have garlic fries 🍟, pizza🍕 clam chowder 🍵. Ice cream🍧🍦. And Salt Water Taffy at the Candy Store!! 🍭🍫🍬🍬!!😉. An arcade 🎯! And miniature golf⛳! The only downfall was the condition of the water in Santa Cruz last week!🤽🏊🏖🦀. Probably a good idea to check the beach/water quality report before making plans to spend a day/ weekend at the🏖!!🤔😄!😎👙💜! Have fun! Stay Safe!👍💜
You can park about 5-10 walk away for about $5-$10. If you want to use the restroom and the first one you come to at the entrance of the boardwalk is crowded, just walk about 1 minute down the boardwalk and there are non crowded restrooms. There are lots of shops and places to eat. At the end you can see the seals underneath.
Childhood favorite!! We will be back. The only change I didnt like was not being able to use cash. I couldnt get the kids a Santa Cruz sweatshirt sand I really wanted one for my self too!! . But other than that we had a blast!!!
Had a wonderful time here ! My family and I were visiting from NYC and we truly enjoyed the experience & vibe of the boardwalk. It is located in a cute little town and has a small amusement park that surprisingly has some enjoyable rides given the parks limited size. The arcade is one of the best I have been into in years. You just dont come across real arcades anymore. There were a ton of different games & experiences for all types of people and it even had laser tag inside. Overall the boardwalk had that authentic California feel to it. Definitely worth checking out if you are visiting California.
Awesome nice all American boardwalk.....Good nice clean fun as the baby boomers say....haaaa definitely great for all ages from 4-80 years old I would say.... So go get it folks....funs waitin on you and summer just ended yesterday which was 8/24/21 so go get you some of that sun while its still out.....
Always a good time going to the boardwalk. Because of COVID not everything is open but still a blast. Also great to see the set of the lost boys 🙂
Great place to spend the day or evening… Plenty to see and do just walking around … sad no dogs but is what it is!
Took a birthday ride down the coast and Santa Cruz was our final stop. Closed but not there for rides and crowds. It was great to sit in the open looking at the beach,remembering all the fun times.It was clean, with all the attractions looking great. A few places open with the same fun food available. I chose a soft serve cone as a final treat.Great for sight seeing and soon a lively time.Parking though was a bit of a challenge and set up for several hours parking.
Love coming here. Wish the beer prices were better though 😄
Fun place to visit with family and friends.A lot of activities that keep your day fun and interesting
Best time!Happy Birthday Aurelia CatalinaMy Lil Diva Princesses!Momma ❤ s you to the moon 🌙 and back!
I have been coming here for decades. It is something that defines Santa Cruz and the bay area. I give 5 stars in recognition too the new tables and benches and painting and all the other improvements they have been doing to keep this place fresh. Thank you!
The boardwalk was very crowded on memorial day weekend. We could barely walk without touching other people every second. If you have not been vaccinated or if you are concerned with covid DO NO GO! No one had mask and again, it was just way too crowed. Imagine as if you are in a concert, that’s how many people there were in there.Aside from that, the place overall experience is amazing!!! The ocean is beautiful and the food is delicious. The sand part was no crowded, only the boardwalk!
One of my favorite places to practice photography during the pandemic. It’s not crowded right now and you can catch some vintage beach vibes on film. Walk from the board walk to the water for more beautiful views.
Very nice to walk around, bike, take photos and have some fun.
Id have given it a five if the sky buckets were running and the rides didnt shut down at seven pm on a Saturday! Its fun, clean and there are lots of places to have a meal, a snack or a desert. If youre in California or visiting within 100 miles, its a must!
Such a great experience every time. Great food. Great smells. Great rides. The place stays surprisingly clean and well staffed for how busy it gets. It is a little on the pricey side, but everything is in California these days. Recommend getting a bracelet if youre going to ride any rides. Also recommend getting a couple of beers, as there is just something awesome about holding a beer while waiting in line for your favorite ride.. on the topic of rides...The Giant Dipper and the Looff Carousel are two of the best, most iconic rides in the USA and MUST be visited. The Loof Carousel has an awesome ring toss built in that is every insurance underwriters worst nightmare. The Giant Dipper is a violent coaster that delivers multiple thrills.The Boardwalk is a must visit if traveling on 101 or stopping in Santa Cruz.
Very crowded! Prepare yourself for long lines. Still a great place to go 😁
I am a local and love the boardwalk. The roller coaster The Giant Dipper is a must. Good food and good drinks are everywhere and you cant beat the view of the Pacific ocean
Nice view,but we came weekdays, boardwalk is closed,beach is open,some of the stores are open, the amusement center is closed on weekdays,open on weekends.
Loved it. 30 for a day band to ride what you want and much as you want. Nice atmosphere.
Post lockdown. Good time to visit. Not too crowded. Went to watch Lost Boys on the beach during the Halloween season. It was nice to cruise the boardwalk.
From the arcade, the restaurants, the vibe.. everything is perfect. Cant wait to be back@
A classic beach boardwalk. Full of well maintained rides, games, shops and classic boardwalk food. Beach is nice as well. We had a good time walking through and enjoying the sunshine. Only negative is parking was difficult on a Wednesday afternoon and it is expensive to park in the kits. We found a meter and spent less than 4 dollars for a couple of hours.
What is more iconic and California than the Boardwalk! Always a fabulous time!
We had a good time. With my baby ... play with sand, waves and birds. Nice sunshine happy people, it was perfet day.
Love the Board Walk. Had a great time with the family.
Nice place for families and teens to enjoy rides, comfort food and entertainment. Added a few videos.
Incredible view. Enjoy the sound of waves and cool mist and breeze