Top 15 Rides at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the best seaside parks in the world. Located in northern California, this park covers just 24 acres yet is has nearly 3 dozen rides including some classics like the Giant Dipper wood coaster and a brass ring carousel.

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[vashboddie]

This boardwalk continues to evolve. I’m so impressed!

[jam]

Just watched your video on SC boardwalk and it took me back to my childhood. I grew up not far from the park and spent many days riding all the rides. The giant dipper was for sure the best, in fact there were days when you could buy an unlimited wrist band for 5 dollars and ride all rides from 10-5. We would count and many of those days we road the giant dipper 50 or more times. Thanks for brimmed back to a special time in my life.

[billlonee]

I absolutely love the Giant Dipper! It's not the fastest or highest, and it doesn't loop, but it gives a great, classic ride. Spectacular views of the beach and ocean by day, and cool lights by night.

[gabecayab]

I’m glad that Ring and Clown’s Mouth carousel gets to be on this list. It’s my favorite ride at the Boardwalk because it’s tolerable and is the only carousel in California that let’s guests do something.

[mondobondo]

I spent two summers there, 78 & 79, and had a blast. Bussed tables at the Ideal Fish Restaurant at the wharfs entrance, then hit the arcade after work. Good times for sure.

[silliestofbeans]

As someone who actually lives in Santa Cruz and has visited the boardwalk many times, I can proudly say that:
1. Giant Dipper is the best roller coaster
2. Haunted castle is the best in terms of scenery and small details
3. Shockwave is the best family-friendly and deceptively fun non-coaster
And my honorable mentions go to:
1. Logger's revenge for beautiful view
2. Wipeout for amount of induced nausea (like seriously)
3. Serpent for a more family-friendly roller coaster with fun scenery (not listed in video)

[Silver_Owl]

I love the carousel and the cave train, but I'm also really fond of the Tsunami, which isn't on your list. Great video, thanks!

June 2023, I'm amending this, because I've just recently fallen in love with WipeOut, Tornado Ghost Blasters, and Riptide as well!

[Kittyhat]

The cheaper ride tickets at 5pm are amazing. This place always has a magical energy to it even long after the rides close, this is the best park on the west coast

[maxhagenauer]

Cyclone looks like top 3 at the park, I absolutely love those sustained Gs for literally the entire ride, the park has a great wooden coaster and an S&S Super shot which makes this park fantastic.

[TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[catflowerlove]

I wish I was on all of those rides! lol! That place looks fun!

[marcocampos]

Went on wipeout today and I gotta say this one has one of the whipest transitions and yanks you out of your seat a few times

[stevenschiro]

They really do fit a lot into a small space. Extremely compact park

[DankPeezy]

Seems like a fun boardwalk. Giant Dipper would be the reason for me to go. The log flume and carousel seem cool too. Makes me want to go to Indiana Beach. I can't believe the Summer is already over.

[ViditParkar]

My personal ranking;
1: Giant Dipper, it’s a must do
2: Undertow, also a must do
3: Fireball, went higher than I thought
4: Double shot, a lot of thrill and gives u an amazing view
5:Cyclone, not bad
6: shockwave, pretty fun
7: logger revenge, only fun part is the last drop.
8: crazy surf, boring
9: pirate ship, it’s all right

[kathymorris]

Use to go there all the time as a teenager. I like the Big Dipper one the best🤪

[SSGoatanks]

This place gets so crowded during holidays like 4th of July - We really need more trains and high speed rail 🚄🛤

[thechemtrailkid]

I went here countless times as a kid, i had no idea how lucky i was until i visited more small parks and other boardwalks.

[urbex_coasters]

I went in December so most of the rides were not open. I love Giant Dipper, so much I feel comfortable saying the best coaster of the 1920s is still in operation. It definately holds its own with modern thrill machines, which really surprised me being that it runs Morgan's wooden coaster trains. The only mild critique I have is to sit so the laterals slam you into the side of the train, not the seat divider. I will also say that I consider their caroucel to be the best caroucel in the world. No other caroucel that I've done is capable of getting the addrenaline pumping like Santa Cruz's with the combo of the rings and lights. While I didn't get to do the dark rides because they aren't open in December, the mini golf more than compensated with similar elements to what you'd get on a dark ride. Glow sections, canons, animatronics, it's the full package. Easily the best mini golf I've done. And while the ride availability may be limited, if you want 15+ rides on both Giant Dipper and the Caroucel, go in December. It's clear the lines get bad in peak season looking at your footage but everything was walk ons for me. While I do want to go in the summer at some point to do dark rides, I was pleasantly surprised with what it was like in December.

[jamieolberding]

Canobie Coaster
40.9K subscribers FUN FACT: (In case you were wondering) The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park was actually the primary filming location that was used in the 1988 horror comedy alien invasion film "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" (one of my all time favorite horror movies that I will watch alongside the 1987 film "Predator"). I absolutely love watching that iconic horror film class every year in October!