Take a Walk on this Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA
Written: Jun 22 '00 (Updated Jan 19 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It has everything, rides, games and a beach
Cons: Not enough decent restaurants in which to eat.
The Bottom Line: Great "old fashioned" Theme Park on a Boardwalk by the beach.
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| jo.com's Full Review: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk |
This is the 2nd in a series of reviews I will be writing on my recent trip to San Francisco.
We traveled up and down the East Coast and into Canada camping with the kids for many years. Unfortunately we never got to California with them. One of their favorite activities was amusement parks. Their record (all 3) on a roller coaster was 32 times. I used to pray as we walked in and pray as we walked out of every park we went to that they would survive yet another round of rollercoasters!
My husband and I recently visited San Francisco. The last two days we rented a car and explored. One of our explorations took us to Santa Cruz and that is what I would like to share with you now.
If you are in San Francisco you want to take Route 1 South. Please make the journey part of the trip. It is absolutely beautiful country. There are many spots to pull over for picture taking and just to take in the scenery.
Be careful and watch your children here carefully. There are no fences whatsoever; it can be very dangerous. Hold on to them; carry them, whatever you have to do to keep them safe, but try to take in the views.
The trip to Santa Cruz takes 1 ½- 2 hours. Other than the beautiful views, there is nothing for the kids to do so make sure you are prepared. There are a few small restaurants and one gas station/store where you can stop for ice cream along the way. There are also many, many beaches with easy access to the road. If it is a warm day, plan on taking bathing suits and spending a couple of hours on one of these gorgeous beaches.
Onto Santa Cruz and the reason for this review. We went to the Mystery Spot first. My husband thought it was “dumb” I thought it pretty interesting. I think children who were there enjoyed it. It is one of several spots in the country where mysterious things happen such as balls rolling up hill and not being able to stand straight. Stanford University did a study to see if it was an optical illusion and found it not to be.
No one is sure what causes it; perhaps some sort of vapor under the ground of a body of water causing gravity to change in this small area. In any case, it is free for children under 16. It costs $5.00 per adult so if you don’t have the money, one adult can stay on the outside edge and picnic. The “tour” only lasts 45 minutes.
The next stop is the real treat. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk. This is an old-fashioned boardwalk. Too bad many of them have been torn down to make way for condos.
The Boardwalk is right on the beach so that swimming here is an option also. You’ll find rollercoasters, the pirate ship, cages that turn upside down, the tilt-a-whirl – all the kids'(and some adults – NOT ME) favorite things. You’ll also find a really nice kiddie area so this is a great place for every age.
The requisite games are up and down the boardwalk. You can try to win a stuffed animal by throwing a coin in a glass or guessing how fast your throw is. You can play skeeball, arcade games or fascination. Try and have your weight or age guessed at if you dare!
I found it very safe. We went during the day but I would not hesitate staying into the evening. Tickets are $22.50 for an all-day pass or, of course you can opt for a pay as you go plan. That sounds like a lot, but there is a lot to do and I think it is a fair price. There is enough at The Boardwalk to spend hours. You can "do" the Boardwalk in 1/2 a day, but certainly you can make a whole day out of it.
There are a couple of rides that are extra, for example, a spaceship simulator costs an additional $4.00 but they have that posted right on the ticket booth so it doesn't come as a surprise.
If you are there frequently the best deal I have ever seen is a year's pass for only $45.00.
I have to tell you about the Carousel. It is a beautiful one, but besides that it has an extra feature I had never seen. My husband told me he remembers this from Coney Island: There are rings that you reach out to grab. Not everyone can grab one each time the Carousel goes around. It depends really on how high your animal is and your timing. Once you have the ring, you try to throw it in a gigantic clown's mouth which is in front of the Carousel. It really was a lot of fun and new for me!
I have one word of caution. Eat before you go or plan on eating after you go. Other than the usual junk (which I love!) cotton candy, fried dough and ice cream, the food is not good. If you must eat, find the Pizza Hut there (two of them actually). That would be your safest bet.
Have fun, watch your kids and don't forget the camera!
Links to my series are below:
Haight Ashbury
National Car Rental, Do The Driving Yourself
I Am A Rock, I Am An Island: Alcatraz Island
Muir Woods, An I Wood Do
From Chinatown To North Beach
The Stinking Rose Restaurant
American Airlines
Santa Cruz Boulevard
Neptune's Palace Restaurant
Recommended:
Yes
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