Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Reviews

• MH

  MADHURA H.

  4 days ago
  5.0
  Highly recommended if you have pre-schoolers. There are plenty of gentle, colorful rides made just for little kids, so they can enjoy the thrill without being overwhelmed. Rollercoaster, big wave, bumpy ride were some of our favorites. What makes it even better is the beach right next to the boardwalk. After the rides, we simply walked over to the sand, relaxed by the ocean, and let the kids play freely. It’s rare to find a spot where you can combine an amusement park day with a calm beach day so effortlessly. Great for families who want fun for the kids and a laid-back, scenic break for the adults. We left with happy kids and very relaxed parents!
• MM

  Monique

  May 13, 2026
  5.0
  Mooie plek om even langs te gaan op onze route, we hadden niet heel veel tijd. De attracties gingen helaas pas in de avond open (maandag), maar er rond te lopen en te genieten van het uitzicht en strand was top! De Giant Dipper houten achtbaan (voor RCT fans) bestond 100 jaar, leuk om deze in het echt te zien. De souvenirwinkels waren wel open en we hebben nog een drankje gedaan. Mooie plek!
• JP

  Josh Pratchard

  May 11, 2026
  1.0
  This place is disgusting. We went at the end of the day and the beach was littered with garbage, dirty diapers, discarded clothes, food... It literally looked like the beaches in Mexico, Rosarito Beach. The boardwalk feels very unsafe with large packs of younger kids in gang attire walking up and down the boardwalk making it hard for people to walk through them. I did not see a single police officer parked along the street or walking the boardwalk. It's no longer the family oriented place it was in my youth. Very sad to see such an iconic northern California location go so far downhill.
• DM

  Dennis Millan

  May 2, 2026
  4.0
  Nice place to come once in awhile, but with the high prices of food, rides (except the miniature golf, that's still pretty reasonable), and parking ($25-$35 dollars), it's not a place I'd want to come to every weekend. But still, it's a good place to bring the family once or twice a year. They do have movie nights in the summer, which is fun... And live music a few times a year... The beach is also a cool place to hang out, though you wouldn't see me bare foot there with junkies going out there sometimes to get high.
• KJ

  Katrina Jenkins

  Apr 28, 2026
  5.0
  Growing up in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has always held a special place in my heart. It’s incredible that this oceanfront park has been bringing families together for over 100 years and remains one of the few classic beach boardwalks still operating along the California coast. The historic Giant Dipper—one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still in operation—adds so much charm and nostalgia to every visit. I had a season pass growing up, and now it means even more to share that experience with my partner and our daughter. We all have passes and love that there are so many rides we can enjoy together—watching her light up with excitement makes it all come full circle. Between the rides, the history, and the warm California sun right on the beach, it’s a place we’ll keep coming back to. I’m so grateful we get to keep creating memories here and look forward to many more throughout 2026.

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