Boardwalk Memories

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Bring Boardwalk history to life with your stories and photos!

Everyone has a story to share about visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Whether from years gone by or just recently.

If you have any great photographs taken at the Boardwalk, we’d like to see them! We’re especially interested in older photographs, from before 1970.

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Siblings in Santa Cruz Jail 1951, 1951

My brothers and sister visiting Santa Cruz in 1951

Love at First “Peach”, 1960

My parents met on a peach farm. And when my father saw her it was love at first sight. He handed her the most perfect peach he could find and

Bathing Beauties, 1928

My husband’s grandmother grew up in the Hollywood area (and is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery). A google reverse image search led me to this source. Florence and her sister

My Foxy Grandma!, 1936

My family has been going to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk further back than my lifetime. This is my 25 year old grandmother in 1936. One of my favorite stories is

My grandparents, Mom and Aunt, 1937

When I was young my Mom would take us to Santa Cruz every year for at least 2 weeks. We use to stay in these cabins right across from the

Moving Mannequins Baseball Throw, 1965

I lived in Santa Cruz from 1965 to 1968; I was playing a lot of softball at the time and my throw was quite accurate. There was a game where

Flying Cages, 1965

I lived in Santa Cruz from 1965 to 1968. Loved the wooden roller coaster but really enjoyed the Flying Cages. Had no problem making the cage move over the top.

Havin’ fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

So in love at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 1952

These are my in-laws, Lyle & Joan Ashford from 70 years ago. I love how these pics capture their fun personalities while having fun at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!!

Kids enjoying the old pier, 1938

This is my grandmother and her sister and cousins enjoying the Boardwalk while on the old (no longer existent) pier. She has such wonderful memories of their summer trip to

Dante’s Inferno – A Trip to Hades, 1932

Our very first haunted ride, “Dante’s Inferno – A Trip to Hades” opened in the same exact location way back in 1932. Over many decades, we’ve re-used the same spot

Giant Dipper Fun, 1935

This picture was taken of my mom Florence when she was in her early 20’s. Just a day at the beach with her Italian friends and family in front of

Mamie Started It, 1957

Beginning in 1957, my Grandmother Mamie started taking my brother, cousin and me to Santa Cruz each summer. Most years we would ride a Greyhound bus from Sacramento to Santa