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.

I loved this place! It has good vibes. Beach and rides I like both! Boardwalk has a lot of food options too. The restrooms were clean when I visited. Long lines for some rides though (not too bad). I went in the afternoon so there were many parking spots right in front of the boardwalk. I would love to visit this place in the evening some day with lights!

Love this place - so many memories of hanging with great friends, time of laughter, and freaking out with the heights on some of these rides. I know this isn’t magic mountain six flags but still it’s fun to have an option to spend a whole day with rides, fair food, beers, and who doesn’t like a chocolate dipped cone to end the day. The parking is $25 for the entire day - if you can find a meter parking you can scan the code and pay as you go which is better. Many shops and the wharf is not far to walk to if you want more options for food.

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.

Awesome family place! We came in April, although the weather was not warm enough(65) we still went to the beach! We didn't fully go in, but dipped our toes and had fun. Watch out for those PESKY SEAGULLS!! Always watch your food, if you decide to eat the beach, they are like piranhas! The bathroom is located inside Neptunes arcade upstairs. Pretty clean for how busy they get. The food is good there too, pricy but not surprised about it. Dress accordingly, and enjoy.

It's a great place to have some fun! There are a wide variety of rides to go on, from the Cyclone, Tsunami, Sea Swings, the Big Dipper, and many more. A few restrooms are included in the area although their may be a 5-15 minute wait in some cases. Alongside the Boardwalk you could head to the beach with clear views (especially during summer.) Although, it's important to bring hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses if you don't want to get burned easily. You may get tickets in-person or online for a faster entrance to the rides. *It's free to enter the Boardwalk if you don't want to go on rides. It's usually very crowded everyday so please try to come in advance if you would like to find alternative parking options. Otherwise, enjoy your stay at the Boardwalk! 🎢

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!

Loved it!! I visited there on my birthday 🎂 and enjoyed a lot all day.. Beautiful place, shows, rides and good food. Beach ⛱️ is beautiful but there is no cleanliness like other beaches. But overall good experience!! I like horror show and skyline. Highly recommend as it's not so far and you can explore all day... Have to go again soon 💕

Great family vacation activity! The Boardwalk was clean, we felt safe and we had a blast. We had kids 0-12 with us and everyone had fun. They have a huge variety of food vendors to choose from. I was impressed that they still had the dime game (you throw dimes and try to get them on a glass to win a prize). This was fun but cheap way for our kids to play the games.

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!

So much to do here that it's easily your full day. Large adjacent parking lot has one fee for the full day too. Wristbands are a good deal if your kids like rides, as there are plenty. Catch some shade indoors at the arcade or mini golfing. Take a break down on the beach and find a crab if you're lucky. Bring sunscreen and wear your suit if planning to swim as we didn't see places to change. They do have lifeguards. Food is pricey but lots of options. The spiral potatoes on a stick were our favorite. Always a fun summer getaway!

Such a scenic, lively, and fun amusement park...right on the beach! Old school but still as busy and cool as ever. We loved the games of skill and the skyride the most. The views are amazing on sunny days. Plenty of food options too. Bring your appetite and wallet, and enjoy!

Lots of walking. Most rides are high thrill rides, but a fee that are pretty good for family, and those of us non-thrill-seekers (ha ha ha). The lines were actually pretty quick when compared to other amusement park places (went July 5th, on a Wednesday). A tad breezy too, but not too bad except when on the Sky Glider. Great views of the ocean.

I've been going here since I was a kid. One of my favorite places. It's not cheap. Pack food and drinks to save money. Rides are around $8 each per person, but there's no entry fee. Beach is quite crowded but still doable. Free concerts in the summer. I saw Eddie Money here years ago. Family friendly and a lot of fun if you don't mind dropping $50-100 per person.

Not a ton of rides or shops but definitely a fun afternoon. Do not be fooled by the oldest roller coaster. It is an insanely fun & thrilling ride. Lines weren’t too terrible but going earlier in the day is smart. The beach is beautiful & a nice spot to have lunch.

🌞⛱️🎢🎠 A Day of Pure Fun at Santa Cruz Boardwalk! 🌊🍦🤩 I recently spent a fantastic day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and I can’t say enough about the incredible experience! It was a true dose of California beach magic. The moment I stepped onto the boardwalk, I was greeted with the sound of crashing waves and the scent of salty sea air. The vibrant colors of the rides and games set against the backdrop of the ocean were simply breathtaking. And let’s talk about the food! I indulged in some scrumptious cotton candy, tried a variety of delicious treats, and relished some of the best clam chowder ever. The best part was the genuine, laid-back, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a place where families, friends, and even solo adventurers can have a blast. Everyone was so cheerful, and the staff was incredibly helpful. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a perfect blend of seaside serenity and thrilling amusements. It’s a gem on California’s coast that never loses its shine. I’m already planning my next visit because one day is just not enough to experience all the fun and beauty this place has to offer. 🌅🎡🏖️🌊🎉

Grew up in Cali, never been to Santa Cruz till the last summer. Rode famous roller coaster, an Ariel tram. Was amazing! Would recommend getting the seasonal pass if you are going to go for more than a day. It takes more than one day to ride all the rides due to the wait times an lines. Did the freight walk.. awesome!!!!! Bought matching sweatshirts for me an my daughter. Had more fun in the 3 hrs we were there than at six flags.

I’ve been dreaming to go this place since 2021 when I saw it on US (movie). My dream came true in August, 2023! It was a sunny day! Very hot btw, so please wear your best beach outfit (shorts, sandals, Sleeveless blouse or T-shirt), use sunscreen! The boardwalk is free! However, if you want to play you need buy a card or a bracelet. I do recommend to buy a card, because you can gain points in arcade and buy things with the points that you’ve gained through the day. Also, the card never expires ;)! In arcade games, you don’t need to wait. But if you want to get on the roller coaster, you need to wait. I went on a Sunday, at 10am, there was no line but after 12pm, You had to wait around 30 minutes for each game. Water and food: I recommend bring your big bottle of water and food! There’s a lot of places to buy food here but it’s not cheap and they give you a small portion. Imagine if you go with your big family, you have to buy A LOT, so it’s better if you bring sandwiches! :D Parking: there’s a private parking that cost $30 a day. We parked our car in the street and it cost 2/hour but at the end of the day, they didn’t charge us anything ^-^ awesome! After all that has been said, I do recommend this place if you want to play, spend your day with your loved ones and ending the day walking around the beach or if you only want a little adrenaline and escape :)

Drove from Oxnard CA to visit this place. Family loved it. You have to try the Big Dipper ride. Fast!!! Little hot so sunscreen and hats. Parking was 30 bucks and show up early because it gets jam packed. Make sure to purchase the card for rides and games or the wristband. For older kids and adults there are on a few large rides so before you purchase the all dY pass see if you are going to get on all the rides. 3 of use got a $100 card and were able to get on big rides and still had enough for a few games.

We went on a Sunday morning in November. Sunny, beautiful, fun! Children's laughter was the best! Shops opened slowly as we wandered through from one end to the other. Clean, safe. We had lunch in the Boardwalk then sat on the beach all afternoon. Rides for all ages. Shops, arcades, and a wonderful variety of food! Clean tables and benches as well as photo ops and info boards all along the Boardwalk. Highly recommend!

Always a great time -- sun, surf, sand, and rides. Great food choices too! We rode the Giant Dipper and the Log flume with the kids (ages 8 and 12), got dizzy 🥴 o n the tilt-a-whirl and the swinger, and had a blast. Nostalgia mixed with thrills -- what could be better for a Sunday afternoon? -- Love that you can purchase points on a card; makes the day economical for adults and kiddos alike.

A wonderful place for the whole family. You don't have an admission fee. Several purchase options are available for rides. I love that it's a long stretch "Boardwalk" with great rides and lots of food and drink options.

The beach is great... And it's free. The boardwalk amusements and entertainments are discounted after a certain time, but rides are pretty standard. The food isn't great. Undercooked and bland burgers, overcooked refried fries not to mention the price. It's cheaper to eat at Pier 39. Stick to the beach and you won't be disappointed. Hard times have fallen on this once great place.

Amazing experience visiting the place. The rides are decently priced as compared to famous theme & amusement parks. There is not so much waiting time for ride to enjoy. The food stalls in the area are good. However, I felt couple of addition of small souvenir shop can make it more appealing. Because of my experience, would love to get the common room area (washroom) to be more maintained

Great place to enjoy the day. The weather was perfect today. Sunny with the nice ocean breeze. Alot to do, rides, free shows. Food is good. Love the chocolate covered bacon from marinins. Free to enter the amusement park. We came on thursday and was not as crowded as a weekend.

This place had fun for every age. Tickets for rides are not too spendy if you compare to places like Disney. No fee to enter the park. Definitely suggest you check it out

We had such a great day playing games and going on the rides. The only letdown was the food, it looks good, but it had no flavor and was cold. We also only purchased a boardwalk rechargeable card and used that to play the games and go on the rides we wanted. For us, that was the better deal.

What hasn't been said about the famous Santa Cruz boardwalk? It's a cultural touchstone for anyone living in California. We love coming down here. Never had a problem, rides for all ages, snacks and treats. Lovely Beach adjacent. You can usually find parking in the parking lot. Don't forget to check out the mini golf at Neptune's. Santa Cruz will always have a place in our hearts because of this boardwalk.