Santa Cruz Tourist Trap Tips by Ewingjr98 Top 5 Page for this destination

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Boardwalk was built in 1907 and is open all summer. It is about 1/2 mile long and contains 34 rides including a famous carousel from 1911, two roller coasters, and a skyride along the beach. Entrance to the boardwalk is free, you only pay if you ride the rides. Beside the old boardwalk is a newer Boardwalk Arcade that is open year around with a variety of indoor games. I was surprised to see that recent reports showed this park was the sixth most visited amusement park in California with some 3,000,000 annual visitors, and it actually ranked ahead of the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We visited in May 2008 and I was surprised that the boardwalk was better maintained and much more fun than I ever expected. We started at the arcade and played a few games of skiball, then wandered through a small hall of mirrors into a crazy pirate ship themed mini golf course and arcade. Later we walked along the rides that were nearly deserted on this Thursday in May before the tourist season really began.

Overall this place pales in comparison to real amusement parks throughout the country. Furthermore, who would bring their kids to this town with its massive drug and homeless problems that center around the boardwalk area? It seems like a bad place for kids unless you strictly stick to the boardwalk itslef and you can keep a close eye on the children...