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Location
Parking
Parking lot located right in front of the Boardwalk, $15 per day; can be challenging on weekends but spots available
Food & drinks
seafood, pizza, corn dogs, garlic fries, snack counters, food stalls
Visitor tip
Bring a stroller if visiting with toddlers - there's extensive walking across the boardwalk and beach areas. However, note that ride options for very young children are limited, so plan activities around beach exploration and people-watching rather than rides alone.
About Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Iconic amusement park on the beach. Amusement park offers a variety of games & rides right on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach.
What visitors say
We visited the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk recently with our 2-year-old and absolutely loved it! Even though it’s more famous for the amusement rides, I honestly think the best part for toddlers is the direct beach access. Our little one…
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an absolutely amazing place, especially for families. The amusement park is located right next to the ocean, and the classic boardwalk atmosphere combined with beautiful beach views makes it a truly special…
One of the best boardwalks in the US among the ones I have been to. Fun, full of people yet not irritatingly crowded at all. The beach is super clean. Boardwalk has a ton of casino, arcade, and other games if you are into that. Huge…
Did You Know?
- Features the Big Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster that is a classic boardwalk attraction, mentioned in 81 reviews as a notable ride experience
- Located directly on a mile-long stretch of sandy beach with seamless integration between the amusement park and ocean access, allowing visitors to transition between rides and beach activities
- Marine wildlife viewing is a significant draw, with sea lions and seals frequently mentioned in reviews (133 and 65 mentions respectively), adding a natural attraction element to the amusement experience
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