The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a classic seaside amusement park located along a beautiful sandy beach in a friendly beach town.
The Boardwalk features more than 40 rides and attractions including two National Historic Landmarks: the world-famous 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the beautiful 1911 Looff Carousel, plus many scream-inducing thrill rides, gentle kiddie rides, casual restaurants, gift shops, games, indoor arcades, and miniature golf.
Boardwalk rides are open daily from late May through late August, plus most weekends and holidays throughout the year, weather permitting.
A limited number of rides are also open daily in April and May. Rides are closed from December 1 through December 25 for winter maintenance.
Please check our operating calendar to confirm ride schedule before planning your visit.
Boardwalk Hours
The Boardwalk Bowl, Casino Arcade, and Neptune’s Kingdom including mini-golf and games, are all open year-round, except December 25.
The Boardwalk is admission-free. If you’d like to take a stroll and enjoy the colorful oceanfront scene, it’s free and open to the public, even when the rides are closed.
If you decide to enjoy a ride or two, tickets can be purchased for individual rides or you can purchase an all-day wristband.
Ride Ticket Pricing Information
The Boardwalk offers a range of ticket plans to meet your budget.
There are all-day, unlimited ride passes as well as individual ride tickets and season passes. There are also discounts and coupons online. Ticket prices are the same for all ages.
Ride Ticket Pricing
Coupons & Discounts
Single or double strollers can be rented at the Millions of Memories store, on the colonnade.
Wheelchairs can be rented for $10/day from the Guest Services Office near the Giant Dipper, or the Season Pass Office at Entrance 2. A photo ID and credit card imprint are required. First come, first served.
The City of Santa Cruz has several beach wheelchairs available free of charge from lifeguard station #1 on Cowell Beach near the Wharf. For further information on beach wheelchairs please call (831) 420-6013.
Sorry, these things are not allowed on the Boardwalk. But there's a great bike path along nearby West Cliff Drive, and a free skate park is located next to the Riverside Avenue bridge.
Bike racks are located near the Casino Arcade, Neptune's Kingdom, Entrance 3/Looff Carousel, and by the entrance to the River Parking Lot.
A limited number of bike lockers are available through our Guest Services Office, near the Giant Dipper. The fee is $5 per day and requires a photo ID and credit card imprint, or $50.00 deposit. The bike lockers are located at the entrance to the River Parking Lot, and in the parking lot of the Shoreline Apartments near Entrance 4.
The City of Santa Cruz does not allow alcohol on the beach. Alcohol is allowed on the Boardwalk, but for safety reasons, bottles are not allowed.
Small lockers can be rented for $6 - $8/day at 3 locations: in the Casino Arcade, near Sea Swings, and by the restrooms near the Cave Train.
Choosing the best time to visit the Boardwalk depends on your particular needs and interests. If you’d prefer to visit when there are fewer guests around, then you should come in the fall, spring or early on a summer week day.
On a summer weekend, peak hours are usually between 1pm and 3pm, so plan to arrive at opening or after 5 p.m. Summertime is the Boardwalk’s key season and special events, including our Free Friday Night concert series, are very popular.
The park, however, is ready for visitors and our staff works very hard to accommodate guests in a timely manner. Our lines are shorter and move faster than most other area amusement parks.
Boardwalk Hours
Located between San Francisco and Monterey, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is at 400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz.
The closest international airport is in San Jose, with bus and shuttle services available to Santa Cruz. Amtrak also provides transportation from its San Jose station.
Both California’s scenic Coast Highway 1 and Highway 17 connect to Santa Cruz.
Boardwalk on Google Maps
The Boardwalk operates two main parking lots adjacent to the park.
Check rates
Off-site parking with Boardwalk shuttle service is available on our busiest weekends at the County Government Building, 701 Ocean Street. Call 831-423-5590 to ask if the off-site parking shuttle is operating.
During the summer a trolly runs between Downtown Santa Cruz and the Boardwalk every 30 minutes. http://santacruztrolley.com
Some metered street parking is also available in the beach area.
Directions & Boardwalk Parking Info
Santa Cruz Public Parking Info
For the safety and comfort of all our guests, smoking is not permitted on the Boardwalk. Smoking is currently permitted at designated areas along the street side of the Boardwalk away from entrances.
Yes, for the safety of all of our guests, no offensive or gang-related attire or tattoos are permitted on the Boardwalk. Guests who refuse to comply with the policy will be asked to leave the Boardwalk and related properties.
Yes, All drones are prohibited at the Boardwalk and any unauthorized drone observed over the Boardwalk will be reported to local law enforcement, regardless of its point of origin or operation. Drones may pose a potential safety risk and may violate Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
The Boardwalk Historium filled with photos is located on the 2nd floor of Neptune's Kingdom. Also keep an eye out for historic interpretive signs located throughout the park. A book and DVD about park history are sold in the Millions of Memories store on the colonnade.
With its many beaches, attractive downtown, and majestic redwood parks, there’s a lot to see and do in Santa Cruz County. Within walking distance of the Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf has great restaurants, gift shops, kayak rental, whale watching tours, and fishing.
If you like to walk or ride bikes, nearby West Cliff Drive takes you past a world-class surf spot, a small surf museum, and beautiful coastal views. Head inland for a few blocks and discover eclectic Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, bustling with locals, UCSC students, sidewalk cafes, bookstores, restaurants, and unique shops.
Or take a short drive to the picturesque village of Capitola or head up to the mountains for wine tasting in the redwoods. It’s all here!
More Santa Cruz Area Info & Links
Boardwalk Events Calendar