Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz

We went on a Friday in December. The arcades are open, but none of the rides are open during the week until spring or summer. However the boardwalk is open to walk and check out. It was a very nice calm environment… A stroll down memory lane. My wife and I went here years ago when we were dating and it was fun to visit the same place without crowds and chaos. If you want a chill place to walk with lots of fun stuff to look at go mid week; if you want to enjoy the rides and crowds visit on the weekends. There is a parking lot across the street for five dollars, or you can park on the street and feed the meter. You need an app to pay parking meters with a credit card, or …. Meters still take good old American quarters.

We went on weekend with children and grandchildren and we all lost in crowd and fun. The ride Typhoon and the Haunted Castle terrifying. The Sky Gliders and the one wooden boat water ride were exiting. We enjoyed good food alongside. We played hilarious Jungle Climb and The great water race and yes the Break the Plates was rewarding and a great fun. At the beach we played to the full of our energy and also with the forming waves, it was really very good experience we ever had, than we relaxed. In the evening it was too cold for us. The Board Walk and the beach, as we felt, is safe and secured and good for full day family outing. Though a bit heavy on pocket.

Great rides! Not a lot of under 48"rides yet they have some. Amazing carnival food!! Spectacular view!!! After 5pm we got unlimited rides for $20 and the family had a blast! The moon was full and reflected of the ocean for a magical glow. Definitely recommend!

This place is fun, fantastic, and wonderful. The weather was nice. The rides are awesome. The food... tastes like Carney delicacies. it's also a bit expensive. If you buy a season pass or an all day armband the rides are affordable. This place has so much to do. It is an absolute gem!

Lots of fun, and a good place to spend some time for both nearby locals and tourists alike!! Me and my honey travel to Santa Cruz pretty frequently, and in doing so we're presented with a lot of options of coming to the boardwalk during the season. A word of advice: if you're in a similar boat, definitely get the season pass. It's $100 and when rides cost anywhere from 2-10 tickets per single ride, it becomes well worth it. Especially when an unlimited day wristband is just half the price! It'll pay for itself in no time.