Lucky for me, Santa Cruz California is just a short drive up the coast and offers a variety of activity for the traveler like world-class surfing, golf, mountain biking, kayaking and sailing, amazing mountain parks filled with towering redwood trees, plus an attractive downtown with interesting shops, sidewalk cafes, and movie theaters. Lucky for my family of 5, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk theme park has been a place for friends and fun since 1907!
It includes two National Historic Landmarks, the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the Looff Carousel that offer as much thrill and classic fun as it did 108 years ago! The Boardwalk’s mission is affordable fun for the family and we believe that they come through on that promise 10-fold! After visiting for my son’s birthday recently, we came up with a list of 7 reasons to buy season passes to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for your whole family, and your friends too!
1. The Beach Some theme parks have areas with waterslides and water features, but this is California and the beaches of the Pacific Ocean are mere steps from the Boardwalk! 
Locals like me can make a day trip out of the area. Pack a picnic lunch, grab your beach toys for the kids, and a good book and feel the sand in your toes! Jump in the water while you’re at it, it’s brisk but on a hot summer day it’s refreshing and there’s nothing like breathing in the salty sea air!
As the evening rolls in and the kids are on the rides, take a sunset walk along the water, can’t more romantic than that! Even visiting in late October will give you amazing nights (fog-free) only a theme park on the coast can offer
2. No Admission Fee! Yes, you read that right, it’s free to walk the Boardwalk and enjoy the oceanfront! It’s open even when the rides are not. This is such a deal for families that may have a parent, a baby, or a grandparent that don’t care for the rides but want to enjoy the park as a family How many times have you paid upwards of $50 just to follow the kids all day but never get on a ride or play a game? Save that money and put it towards a season pass for the kids! Kiosks are found all along the Boardwalk to purchase ride tickets, wristbands, and you can even purchase a season pass online. Beach goers that just want to be near all the excitement and maybe pick up a funnel cake treat have no problem enjoying the Boardwalk with no extra charge!
What’s even better? When you purchase a season pass, you get a one free wristband for unlimited rides for a friend! So essentially in ONE visit your wristband is paid for and your child has a ride partner for the day, easy peasy!
-Boardwalk rides are open for full operation from Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September) plus most weekends and holidays throughout the year. A limited number of rides are open daily in April and May. Rides are closed from December 1 through December 25 for winter maintenance.
3. Rides This year marked a milestone for our family. My 9 year old daughter hit a height where she can ride the big kid rides! That’s right, she took on Giant Dipper for the first time with dad, and also joined big brother and his pals on some other rides like Wipeout and the Space Race bumper cars!
For me, I could ride the Sea Swings or the Sky Glider all day long, I love the sensation of flying and the ocean breeze in my hair! Good thing the kids love those too!
Thrill rides, rides for kids, family rides, you can even find the height requirement list online before you go or grab a list at the ticket kiosks to plan your day!
4. Games My family is competitive. We love playing games and those big stuffed animals make all of us a little doe-eyed and excited at the chance to win one! Walking along the Boardwalk you can find games for all ages and skills like the Water Race that’s always been my favorite. Hearing that balloon pop at the end was so thrilling, did I win?! Break a Plate, Milk Bottles, Speed Pitch, and even some games where you win every time like Lucky Duck!
We watched my daughter net fish for weight and then tried our luck at Long Shot Basketball. Needless to say, getting a basket was a long shot for us, but we did see some people make it. Oh that Minion would have been cute!
The fun doesn’t stop there, the Boardwalk has over 300 video games at Neptune’s Kingdom (next door), laser tag, a shooting gallery, air hockey, mini golf, pool tables, ping pong and so much more! Did I mention the Fright Walk, climbing wall, and bowling? When buying a season pass, you open the door to heading over for the day just for rides, the next trip just for bowling….the possibilities make for an endless summer!
5. FUN Food I’ve known friends who have season passes and just head over to Santa Cruz to get chocolate covered bananas and funnel cake to satisfy their sweet tooth. It’s true that the snacks and food are abundant and delicious! Over 2 dozen restaurants, 2 dozen snack stands, and a handful of food carts you can find just about any to satisfy your family’s hunger. 
When we picked up our season pass renewal, we were given a set of coupons for food throughout the Boardwalk and one deal that we loved was buying the big Pepsi bottle. Once gone, refills are just 99 cents…for the rest of your visits as in the rest of the year! It comes with a handy handle that my husband would hook on to his belt loop when empty. 
Kettle corn, churros, deep-fried Twinkies, pretzels, and smoothies. Pizza, Chinese food, wraps, burgers, burritos, hot dogs, fish and chips, and turkey legs…oh so much goodness! My favorite has got to be Dippin’ Dots!
6. Summer Concerts and Movies Last summer was our first time to make a Friday night concert on the Beach and we cannot wait to get back! We took blankets, snacks (though you can buy some on the Boardwalk as well) and enjoyed the Fixx a band we enjoyed from the 80’s. Though the kids didn’t know any of the songs, the atmosphere was fun on the beach and the rides are only steps away! 
Two concerts are held each Friday (for 2015: June 19-September 4) at 6:30pm and 8:30pm and this year’s lineup include great bands like Wang Chung, Y& T, Blue Oyster Cult, Smashmouth, and singers like Eddie Money and Macy Gray! Spend a summer Friday on the rides, then pull on a sweatshirt and rock out through the evening! The concerts are free to the public, but are just an extra bonus to season pass holders!
Something we haven’t done yet but looks like another great perk is the free movie nights in the sand! Movies are shown each Wednesday night at 9 pm (for 2015: June 24-August 12) and this year you can watch The Lost Boys, Breakfast Club, The Princess Bride, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and many more.
Are you sold yet?
7. Memories I’ve been coming to the Boardwalk since I was little. I have fond memories with my friends and family and even remember school field trips that had me fall in love with Santa Cruz a little more each visit. The games, the rides, the food, the beach, and the fun just has all of my kids so eager to come back and to share the fun with their friends. I think it’s the best gift you can give your family, we’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful place with attractions like the Boardwalk nearby!
My son and his friends had a great time at the park and whether it’s for a birthday or a summer Tuesday, fun can be had. 
For more information, visit http://beachboardwalk.com/.
Family day passes were provided, season pass purchases and all opinions are 100% our own!
This sounds like a win-win! I’d love to visit there.
if only i were closer, i sure would! i am jealous of your amazing year round awesome weather, LOL
I have been to California a few times. I actually have never been to this boardwalk! What a great place to hang out! I will be checking it out next time I come out!
If I lived in the area, I’d certainly buy a season pass. It looks like a great place to hang out on a warm day.
so beautiful and looks like everyone had fun too