Visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk entrance

There are so many fun places to visit in California, but the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has to be one of our family favorites. Where else can you get rides, the beach, an arcade and a free summer concert series all in one place?

Our family has a long history with Santa Cruz. My great grandparents lived in Santa Cruz and my mother would come spend her summers with them. As I was growing up, my parents naturally brought us to the Boardwalk, since it held so many great memories for my mom. Fast forward many years, and now my husband and I live here with our family.

If you have visited the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the past, you understand what I am talking about. If it’s been a while since you have been there, you would be amazed by how it looks. They have added new rides, given a face-lift to old ones and made it vibrant and new!

One of the things that I truly love about the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is that there is fun for kids of all ages. If you are a family that loves theme parks, there are rides for toddlers and rides for the adventure-seeker and everything in between. If some prefer not to ride, there is no cost because there is no entry fee, just the cost of the rides.

Giant Dipper

Giant Dipper

Typhoon

Undertow

When you are done with the rides or need a break from it all, head down the stairs and relax on the beach for a bit. You can even take a quick swim in the ocean if you are so inclined!

Santa Cruz Beach

Then, head back towards the Boardwalk and down to Neptune’s Kingdom arcade. This has also been recently remodeled, and all new games added. It’s truly a modern-day arcade, with the old-school feel to it. I love that they incorporated new games but left a few of our favorites too.

Neptune’s Kingdom arcade

You can bring a picnic to the beach, which is always fun. You can also buy food at the Boardwalk. They have your favorite foods such as corn dogs, fried Twinkies and Icees. They also have added some new food selections, such as Mexican Food! If Boardwalk food it’s for you, take a quick walk to the pier where you can eat at some of the best restaurants in town!

If your visiting on a Friday night in the summer time, check out the Free Friday Night Band Series. With bands such as Smash Mouth, The Motels and Los Lonely Boys, there is something for everyone!