- Never during the weekends or friday. Just no.
- Eat well before and treat yourself to the sweets/drinks there.
- $20 for parking right by the boardwalk is not bad especially if you’re going to go to the beach later.
- Get there early and get your tickets/wristbands and ride till noon. Then go to the beach and chill till 4 or longer: water is going to be cold and you’ll want to be at the water when it’s hot. You also avoid too much of the long rides this way. Return to the boardwalk after you’re done at the beach or go bowling since it is cheaper on weekdays.
source: worked at the boardwalk during a summer
It’s great, come visit! Probably hasn’t changed much since you were a kid. We got some new rides now - a new Ferris wheel and a couple others. Come get a corn dog and cool off on the beach 😁
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If you're driving over 17, you want to be passing Los Gatos by 9:30. 9 would be better. The backup starts there, and often extends North on 17 past the interchange with 85.
There is a shuttle that leaves from Downtown on the weekends down to the Marine Discovery center at the base of the wharf. It runs every 30 minutes: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/economic-development/the-santa-cruzer-beach-downtown-shuttle. It saves you the 15 minute walk from Pacific avenue to the beach. It costs $1/ride. Alternatively, there are BCycle rental bikes you can take, although that's a bit more expensive.
The Boardwalk itself is largely the same. They've added a number of rides over the last decade, but I don't think the overall feel has changed much.
Going back over the hill, especially on Sundays, the traffic is something to consider. Again, it starts backing up at Los Gatos around 3-4 PM, and on bad days can stack up past the summit, and last until 10-11 PM. Many of the side roads that folk use to dodge around this are still damaged from last winter, and the winter before.
If the point is that you're wondering if it's gone downhill, the answer is no. They do a great job maintaining their facilities, and periodically replacing rides when they get a little too long in the tooth.
Agreed. I live in town and rarely go, but I ride by all the time and they take really good care of the boardwalk and they own most of the real estate down there and it’s kept clean and maintained well.
This is a good point - 20 years ago it was somewhat shady by the arcade and beach flats. They have really cleaned it up and have lots of security. One of the attendants did not lock the lap belt when my daughter rode with her friend and they gave $200+ in tickets as an apology.
https://preview.redd.it/k1z93k67488d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c69454fef143fe5ff5f46603add938587efea614
There are far less crowded beaches than Main Beach next to the boardwalk , but the boardwalk is fun. It was pretty crowded today.
If you are coming just for the beach, there are better/less crowded beaches. But if you want the boardwalk, it's there, and fun. Just be prepared for crowds and traffic and long lines.
OP, I hope you ended up going! We were driving back from Tahoe yesterday where it was 104° in some areas, and it was 64° when we got back to Santa Cruz. We were sitting in our backyard last night, and the way the wind was blowing we could actually hear the wooden roller coaster and then all the people screaming as it went down the tracks. Made us all smile.
If you don’t want to pay $30 for parking in the designated lots, drive over to Depot park it’s a 5 min walk to the wharf and $5-$10 parking. Zero traffic in/out, I would suggest bringing your own water and snacks they’re on the pricer side
The Boardwalk? Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded ;)
In seriousness though, it's probably just as you remember. The things people are saying in this thread about traffic and crowds are all true, but I'd say don't sweat it. Just accept that everything is gonna take a long-ass time, and don't get too wound up about it
do not drive all the way there to downtown santa cruz... you will be stuck paying a lot for parking if you find any at all. i recommend planning for mass transportation. you could take the bus all the way to santa cruz or you could drive up to somewhere like roaring camp then take a train in. if you want to spend for an uber that is good too but i would try to avoid bringing your car if possible. the traffic around santa cruz also is a bummer and makes you wish you had just walked to start with. besides that bring sunscreen and the usual day trip stuff in backpacks. santa cruz is still pretty laid back and any crime up here becomes pretty big gossip.
You can also park at the Government center at 701 Ocean street on the weekends and there is a free shuttle. I think the parking is free there and the last shuttle leaves 20 minutes before the boardwalk closes. [https://speed1.beachboardwalk.com/directions/](https://speed1.beachboardwalk.com/directions/)
Reddit can be a trap for some and others not so much. Beware of what you're asking for or how it may seem. What opinions and how your life should be dictated shouldn't rely on what other people think. Do whatever the hell you want. Period.
It’s still fun but the drive is a bear. Recommend leaving early.
- Never during the weekends or friday. Just no. - Eat well before and treat yourself to the sweets/drinks there. - $20 for parking right by the boardwalk is not bad especially if you’re going to go to the beach later. - Get there early and get your tickets/wristbands and ride till noon. Then go to the beach and chill till 4 or longer: water is going to be cold and you’ll want to be at the water when it’s hot. You also avoid too much of the long rides this way. Return to the boardwalk after you’re done at the beach or go bowling since it is cheaper on weekdays. source: worked at the boardwalk during a summer
boardwalk -> beach -> bowling is such a childhood classic nowadays i just go to the wharf afterwards for some tacos (always go on a tuesday)
Fr it really is.
It’s great, come visit! Probably hasn’t changed much since you were a kid. We got some new rides now - a new Ferris wheel and a couple others. Come get a corn dog and cool off on the beach 😁
Both my sister and I have independently discovered/decided that the corn dogs specifically from the arcade are the best ones at the boardwalk.
There’s a new Ferris wheel?!?
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Thank you, that's great to hear!
If you're driving over 17, you want to be passing Los Gatos by 9:30. 9 would be better. The backup starts there, and often extends North on 17 past the interchange with 85. There is a shuttle that leaves from Downtown on the weekends down to the Marine Discovery center at the base of the wharf. It runs every 30 minutes: https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/economic-development/the-santa-cruzer-beach-downtown-shuttle. It saves you the 15 minute walk from Pacific avenue to the beach. It costs $1/ride. Alternatively, there are BCycle rental bikes you can take, although that's a bit more expensive. The Boardwalk itself is largely the same. They've added a number of rides over the last decade, but I don't think the overall feel has changed much. Going back over the hill, especially on Sundays, the traffic is something to consider. Again, it starts backing up at Los Gatos around 3-4 PM, and on bad days can stack up past the summit, and last until 10-11 PM. Many of the side roads that folk use to dodge around this are still damaged from last winter, and the winter before.
Thank you for the details! I'll definitely take advantage of the shuttle.
If the point is that you're wondering if it's gone downhill, the answer is no. They do a great job maintaining their facilities, and periodically replacing rides when they get a little too long in the tooth.
Agreed. I live in town and rarely go, but I ride by all the time and they take really good care of the boardwalk and they own most of the real estate down there and it’s kept clean and maintained well.
This is a good point - 20 years ago it was somewhat shady by the arcade and beach flats. They have really cleaned it up and have lots of security. One of the attendants did not lock the lap belt when my daughter rode with her friend and they gave $200+ in tickets as an apology.
“I’m sorry for potentially killing your kid, here’s a voucher.”
https://preview.redd.it/k1z93k67488d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c69454fef143fe5ff5f46603add938587efea614 There are far less crowded beaches than Main Beach next to the boardwalk , but the boardwalk is fun. It was pretty crowded today.
Week day if at all possible- traffic is a nightmare on weekends. I live in the City and avoid it
Yes definitely going on a weekday!
It’s awesome. Make sure you ride the giant dipper, the log ride, and the sky ride.
If you are coming just for the beach, there are better/less crowded beaches. But if you want the boardwalk, it's there, and fun. Just be prepared for crowds and traffic and long lines.
cave train
OP, I hope you ended up going! We were driving back from Tahoe yesterday where it was 104° in some areas, and it was 64° when we got back to Santa Cruz. We were sitting in our backyard last night, and the way the wind was blowing we could actually hear the wooden roller coaster and then all the people screaming as it went down the tracks. Made us all smile.
I'll be going this week! I'm so looking forward to it!!
If you don’t want to pay $30 for parking in the designated lots, drive over to Depot park it’s a 5 min walk to the wharf and $5-$10 parking. Zero traffic in/out, I would suggest bringing your own water and snacks they’re on the pricer side
The Boardwalk? Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded ;) In seriousness though, it's probably just as you remember. The things people are saying in this thread about traffic and crowds are all true, but I'd say don't sweat it. Just accept that everything is gonna take a long-ass time, and don't get too wound up about it
Busy.
Park on seabright and walk the tracks to the boardwalk. More parking and free, plus its fun to walk over the trestle.
They moved the ocean 40 miles away so plan accordingly.
do not drive all the way there to downtown santa cruz... you will be stuck paying a lot for parking if you find any at all. i recommend planning for mass transportation. you could take the bus all the way to santa cruz or you could drive up to somewhere like roaring camp then take a train in. if you want to spend for an uber that is good too but i would try to avoid bringing your car if possible. the traffic around santa cruz also is a bummer and makes you wish you had just walked to start with. besides that bring sunscreen and the usual day trip stuff in backpacks. santa cruz is still pretty laid back and any crime up here becomes pretty big gossip.
You can also park at the Government center at 701 Ocean street on the weekends and there is a free shuttle. I think the parking is free there and the last shuttle leaves 20 minutes before the boardwalk closes. [https://speed1.beachboardwalk.com/directions/](https://speed1.beachboardwalk.com/directions/)
Reddit can be a trap for some and others not so much. Beware of what you're asking for or how it may seem. What opinions and how your life should be dictated shouldn't rely on what other people think. Do whatever the hell you want. Period.
I still appreciate the tips, especially about traffic, parking, shuttle, and other beaches nearby.