Things To Do At Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Things To Do At Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Megan
Megan 
Published
| 5 min read

Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is an amusement park located in the friendly beach town of Santa Cruz. It offers classic seaside amusement such as games and rides right along the sandy beach. With rides for little kids, thrill rides, mini golf, food and more, there is something for the whole family to do. This article has a lot of information on some of the best things to do that Santa Cruz Boardwalk has to offer, so take a look and start planning your boardwalk adventure.

1. Experience one of the world's best wooden coasters

SantaCruz BeachBoardwalk GiantDipperTrack2 DSCN9390
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lar used under CC BY 2.5

The Giant Dipper is a historic figure at the Santa Cruz boardwalk. It opened in 1924, making it the fifth oldest coaster in the US at its original location. It is still one of the most popular wooden roller coasters today. It is 70 feet (21 m) tall and travels at a speed of 55 miles per house (89 km/h). The ride has been named a National Historic Landmark, and is regularly ranked as one of the best wooden roller coasters in the world. In order to ride the Giant Dipper, visitors must be 4 feet, 2 inches (1.2 meters) tall. It offers a thrilling ride which you are sure to remember!

Giant Dipper

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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2. Spin on the Undertow


The Undertow is the only steel spinning coaster in Northern California. This means that you definitely need to ride it if you are at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk! The 50-foot (15.24 meters) tall ride officially opened in 2013. It has some unexpected thrills as the ride turns and spins on the tracks. Each car fits four people, some facing forward and some backward. This means you never know what direction the ride will take you in. Speed and rotation change every time! Undertow is sure to be a thrill for all - just remember you need to be at least 48 inches (1.2 meters) or taller to ride it.

Undertow

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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3. Bump around in some bumper cars

BumperCar
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user en:RanchoRosco used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Speed bumps is a cute name for the Santa Cruz bumper cars. And who doesn’t enjoy bumper cars? It’s a great way to get the whole family involved, racing around the track and trying to surprise each other at the best angle! The cars are different colors, so pick your favorite and start crashing! All riders need to be at least 50 inches (1.27 meters) to ride Speed Bumps. It costs five points to ride.

Speed Bumps

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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4. Play at Casino Arcade


Casino Arcade offers a whole host of video games, from classic games to newer ones. Visitors can find things like Pac-Man and Space Invaders all the way to Candy Crush and Walking Dead Pinball. A kids cove is available for the younger kids to enjoy games, while older kids can spend hours gaming to keep out of trouble. Casino Arcade is open every day, and it is even available for private rentals on request. Prices of the games vary. Tickets won while playing can be redeemed for prizes at the Boardwalk redemption center. Have fun gaming.

Casino Arcade

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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5. Go to Neptune's Kingdom

things to do at santa cruz boardwalk | go to neptune's kingdom
Source: instagram

Neptune’s Kingdom features nautical entertainment with arcade games, mini-golf, and some simple foods. It is open daily from 11am until 10pm, 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests will have access to arcade games like pinball, air hockey, and other popular video games. The mini-golf course has 18 holes, including some black light ones! There are even ping pong tables and foosball. It is a great place for the whole family to hang out as kids can play a variety of games and adults can relax with a drink or some food - or even better, join in the games with the kids!

Neptune's Kingdom

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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6. Get a good scare on the Fright Walk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Todd Dwyer used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Santa Cruz Fright Walk is sure to give you a good scare. Are you brave enough to try it? It has recently been extended and is located “under the Boardwalk”. It has lots of scare space in a very dark maze, where guests will find dead ends, smoke, mirrors, and things popping out in places least expected. Whether you are by yourself, with a family member, or with a large group, this fright walk is a blast. You won’t want to miss it if you are at the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The Fright Walk is 6USD a person and is well worth the price.

Fright Walk

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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7. Laser tag at the Vault Laser Maze Challenge


The Vault Laser Maze Challenge offers a fast-paced adventure laser tag game. Hide and seek your opponent to get the most shots in and win the game. Players can compete in teams or man to man in a space that is 3500 square feet (325 sq meters). Every shot counts, so be sure to be on guard the entire game. The sneakier you are, the better! Unique lights, sound effects, fog, and various obstacles add to the adventure of this laser tag arena. It is 6 USD a person to play, though there are discounts for large groups. The space can also be rented for private events.

Vault Laser Maze Challenge

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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8. Climb N Conquer on the rock climbing wall

Climbing Wall (13517015133)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user XoMEoX used under CC BY 2.0

Climb N Conquer is the thrilling 26-foot (8-meter) rock climbing wall at Santa Cruz boardwalk. Visitors can race their friends all the way to the top. It is possible for six people to be climbing at the same time. For those who prefer a more relaxed climb, take your time and enjoy. The views from the top are great! Guests have to fit within a certain weight requirement to climb; between 50 and 250 pounds (22 and 113kgs). One climb is 5 USD or visitors can do two climbs for 8 USD. It is an unforgettable experience.

Climb N Conquer

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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9. Bowl at Boardwalk Bowl


Boardwalk Bowl has more than just bowling - there is also food, drinks, and karaoke! The setting here is casual and laid back. It is a great place for kids to enjoy bowling. On weekdays from 2 pm until 5 pm, and Monday and Tuesday nights from 9 pm until close, bowling is half price! Check out the website for other great bowling deals. The atmosphere is fun with music always playing and staff always smiling. There is also a league that plays here some nights during the week.

Boardwalk Bowl

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: Santa Cruz Boardwalk

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10. Shop for boardwalk souvenirs


The boardwalk has lots of shops offering souvenirs and supplies, so why not take the time to browse through them? Shopping can be just as fun as the rides at Santa Cruz. Visitors can find memorable gifts such as boardwalk apparel at Millions of Memories by the Colonnade. Nearby is O'Neill Surf Shop where all the surfer specialties are. Swimsuits, sunscreen, sandals, and more, anything you need for the beach can be found here. Boardwalk Magic is a specialty shop with novelties and tricks. You are sure to find something unique to take home. Spread out across the boardwalk where there are plenty of other shops with a great selection of fashion, jewelry, beach necessities, kids’ toys and so much more. Be sure to take some time to explore the fabulous shops and all they have to offer.

O'Neill Surf Shop

Address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, California 95060

Website: O'Neill Surf Shop

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Enjoy the boardwalk

SantaCruz BeachBoardwalk Fireball GiantDipper DSCN9392
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lar used under CC BY 2.5

Santa Cruz boardwalk has so much to offer visitors. Whether you are a family or a group of friends, there is plenty to do. From thrill rides to shopping, and bowling to haunted mazes, there is a little bit of everything. Be sure to take the time to do what you love and just enjoy that classic boardwalk atmosphere. Hopefully this article will help maximize your time at Santa Cruz boardwalk. Enjoy!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Megan is an avid explorer and food aficionado. She loves to see the world, experiencing different cultures & traditions. When she’s not off traveling, you’ll most likely find her tucked away with a...Read more

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