Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
This is your one stop guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
Where We Stayed
We actually stayed in Downtown San Francisco at Hotel Nikko.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is only an hour and twenty minute drive from where we stayed. On the way to the boardwalk we took the most direct route but on the way back, we drove along the coast and it was so romantic and serene. I felt like I was on an episode of Big Little Lies, minus all the drama!
Arrival & Parking
It’s very easy to find as you drive through a cute little town full of signs to lead the way!
Parking is super convenient. There is a gigantic pay-to-park lot right by the entrance.
The picture above is of the view to your right once you walk in. In this building there were all kinds of arcade games! Everything from immersive simulated entertainment, to good ole air hockey and skee ball. Before heading out, we stopped to play a friendly match of air hockey. It’s crazy what a little nostalgia and arcade games can do for the soul, we left feeling like kids again!
The Beach
Gorgeous, isn’t it?! It was a little chilly on the day we went so we didn’t actually enjoy the ocean, but the view was definitely enough. You could see sailboats in the distance, kids frolicking in the shallow waves and families picnicked out on the white sand. This was my first time being this up close with the Pacific Ocean and that was a pretty cool thing to check off my Bucket List!
FOOD
If you know me, I love fried foods. I mean, this is Fendi and French FRIES after all!
We hit the main strip of boardwalk and enjoyed everything you can imagine from funnel cakes, to corn dogs, chocolate dipped ice cream and more! The best way to indulge in my opinion, is plan to share. That way you can have a bite of this, a taste of that and enjoy a 6 course carnival food frenzy, without the imminent food coma or bloat!
Pro Tip: Make sure to wear comfy walking shoes perfect for strolling along the boardwalk in search of your next snack.
Adventure Awaits
This sweet family friendly ride is originally from the 60s and portrays what the Beach Boardwalk would be like in Cave Man times. It’s super cute and was honestly my favorite ride there. Mario has such fond memories of this ride as a kid and now we have memories of it together!
In addition to the Cave Train, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk also offers Twirlin’ Teacups, Carousel, Free Fall, Ghost Blasters, a Haunted Castle and more!
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an adventure you can explore and enjoy over a few days or just a few hours. There is truly something for everyone and is a must see during any trip to the Bay Area in California!
Shop The Post
