Genius Asian Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA
Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California
What This Video Shows
In this video I take you on a tour of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one of California’s most beloved amusement parks and one of the very few remaining seaside amusement parks on the entire West Coast of the United States. The video captures the rides, the beachside atmosphere, and the unique charm that makes this place a California institution. Notably, the roller coaster called Hurricane shown in this video was operating through its final season in 2012. It had been thrilling riders since 1992 and was scheduled to be dismantled after Labor Day and shipped to Western Playland Amusement Park in New Mexico. Its replacement, a spinning roller coaster called Undertow where the cars rotate as the coaster moves, would open the following year.
Why This Matters
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a genuine piece of California history with over a century of continuous operation. It is the oldest surviving amusement park in the state and one of the last oceanfront amusement parks remaining in the entire United States. Whether you are a Bay Area local looking for a fun family day out or a visitor to California searching for an authentic experience that captures the essence of the California beach lifestyle, the Boardwalk delivers something that modern corporate theme parks simply cannot replicate: genuine seaside charm combined with thrilling rides and a wonderfully relaxed beach town atmosphere.
What Makes the Boardwalk Special
The Giant Dipper. This classic wooden roller coaster was built way back in 1924 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States government. It remains one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still actively operating anywhere in the world, and it is consistently rated as one of the most popular rides in the park. The unique combination of surprising speed, the wooden track’s distinctive satisfying rattle, and the stunning ocean views visible from the top of the chain lift hill make it an unforgettable riding experience for guests of all ages.
Free Park Admission. Unlike virtually every modern theme park in America, admission to the Boardwalk grounds itself is completely and genuinely free. You only pay for the individual rides you choose to go on and the food and games you decide to enjoy. This makes it a remarkably affordable family outing where you can enjoy the atmosphere, play on the beautiful beach, watch the sunset, and maybe ride just a few select attractions without spending hundreds of dollars on gate admission.
The Beach Setting. The Boardwalk sits directly on the sand of Main Beach in downtown Santa Cruz. You can literally alternate between riding roller coasters and swimming in the Pacific Ocean, all within the same visit without ever leaving the property. Very few amusement parks anywhere in the world can offer that remarkable combination.
Tips for Your Visit
Visit on a weekday if at all possible. Weekend crowds during summer months can result in extremely long lines for the popular rides.
Bring sunscreen and layers of clothing. Santa Cruz coastal weather can shift from warm sunshine to cool foggy conditions surprisingly quickly, sometimes within a single hour.
Ride the Giant Dipper at sunset. The panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with the setting sun painting the sky are absolutely spectacular from the top of the coaster’s lift hill.