Is there a minimum height requirement for the Giant Dipper?

Yes — riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride the Giant Dipper. Most thrill rides have height minimums between 42" and 48". The children's section has rides with no minimum or very low minimums of 36", so younger kids still have plenty of options.

Is parking free at the Boardwalk?

No. The Boardwalk's own parking lot charges $15-$20 depending on the season. There is metered street parking nearby, and some residential streets south of Laurel Street allow free parking with a walk of about 10 minutes. Arriving before 10 AM helps secure cheaper spots.

Can you bring your own food to the Boardwalk?

Outside food is not permitted inside the ride areas, but you can absolutely bring a cooler and snacks to the adjacent beach, which is public property. Many families set up a beach base with their own food and rotate into the Boardwalk for rides.

What is the best time of year to visit with young kids?

Late May or September are ideal — the park is fully operational, crowds are lighter than peak summer, and weather is often warmer than July due to Santa Cruz's coastal fog pattern (locals call it 'June gloom'). Weekday mornings in July and August work if summer is your only option.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Name: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Address: 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, US
Telephone: (831) 423-5590
Rating: 4.6

Rating

4.6(28,400)

Family of 4

$120-$200 (2 adults + 2 kids): unlimited ride wristbands ~$50/person for adults, ~$40/person for kids under 48"; add $20-$40 for food and games

Duration

4-6 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 4-16

About

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the last remaining seaside amusement parks on the West Coast, and it has been thrilling families since 1907. Perched right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean with the Santa Cruz wharf visible in the distance, the Boardwalk occupies a rare slice of California history that feels genuinely timeless.

The centerpiece attractions are two National Historic Landmarks: the Giant Dipper roller coaster (1924) and the Looff Carousel (1911). The Giant Dipper's wooden structure creaks and roars as riders crest its hills at 55 mph — it is terrifying in the best possible way. The Looff Carousel features 73 hand-carved horses and two original chariots, still turning to the sound of a 342-pipe band organ.

Beyond the landmarks, the park offers roughly 35 rides split between thrill attractions for older kids and teens and a dedicated children's section with slower-paced options for toddlers and preschoolers. The two-story arcade building is one of the largest on the West Coast and stays open even on rainy days, making it a surprisingly good wet-weather option in a pinch.

The beach itself is free and public, so families routinely split their time between paid attractions and free ocean time. Surf lessons are available at the south end of the beach. The wharf, a five-minute walk east, adds another free exploration option with sea lions lounging underneath.

Seasonal programming includes a Halloween Haunt in October (some areas family-friendly, some adult-oriented — check the map), winter holiday lighting in December, and Free Friday Night Movies on the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park is open year-round on weekends and operates on a reduced weekday schedule in the off-season.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Available

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings in summer; spring and fall for shorter lines

Wait Times

15-45 minutes for popular rides on weekends

Nearby Food

Neptune's Kingdom food court inside the Boardwalk has burgers, pizza, and corn dogs. Ideal Bar and Grill is a sit-down spot one block away. Woodstock's Pizza on Pacific Ave is a 10-minute walk and beloved by locals.

Why Kids Love It

The Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster — a National Historic Landmark built in 1924 — is an absolute bucket-list ride that kids 48" and taller will talk about for years. The rattling wooden track and screaming drops feel unlike anything at a modern steel park, and the nostalgia is palpable even for kids who have never experienced it. There is something irreplaceable about a ride that has been thrilling families for a century.

For younger kids, the entire lower boardwalk section is packed with gentle rides sized perfectly for little ones: a classic log ride, a miniature Ferris wheel, spinning cars, and kiddie coasters that deliver genuine excitement without the terror. The carousel — another National Historic Landmark — lets toddlers ride real antique horses while parents watch from the sidelines without feeling like they are missing out.

The arcade is legendary. It spans an enormous building filled with classic skee-ball lanes, modern video games, and redemption games where determined kids can walk away with an armful of prizes. The mini-golf course overlooks the ocean, making it one of the most scenic 18 holes in California. And when everyone is hot and sandy, a dip in the Pacific is just steps away — no extra fee required.

Pro Tips from Parents

Park on the east side of the Boardwalk near the Dream Inn — it is a shorter walk and fills up last.
The Giant Dipper front row requires a separate wait but is worth every extra minute for coaster fans.
Buy a wristband only if you plan to ride 6+ rides — otherwise individual tickets are cheaper for shorter visits.
Free concerts happen on Friday and Saturday nights in summer on the outdoor stage near the carousel.
Bring your own snacks and a cooler to the beach section — outside food is allowed on the beach, just not inside the ride area.

What to Bring

Sunscreen
Cash for games (arcades are mostly cash)
Change of clothes if kids will swim
Sandals that can get wet
Small backpack for prizes and snacks

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$120-$200 (2 adults + 2 kids): unlimited ride wristbands ~$50/person for adults, ~$40/person for kids under 48"; add $20-$40 for food and games

Tips to Save

The boardwalk itself and beach access are FREE — you only pay for rides.
Buy discount wristbands online in advance (saves ~$10/person).
Arrive right at opening to get the best prices and shortest lines.
Free Friday Night Movies on the beach in summer are a great low-cost evening option.