First Neptune’s Casino, 1904
This 1904 photo shows the first Neptune’s Casino which burned down just three years after it was built. Sitting on the beach in heavy clothes must have been a little
National Guard on Horseback, 1904
Whoa… a 1904 photograph in front of the first casino building shows the National Guard on horseback.
Leibbrandts’ Family, 1919
This photo shows Clair Leibbrandt and family in front of the Boardwalk in 1919. The Leibbrandts opened one of the first public bath houses in California right here in 1868.
Kids at the Boardwalk, 1936
Kids haven’t really changed much since 1936! Boardwalk signs in the background promote Miller’s Hot Dogs and Salt Water Baths.
Beach Bandstand, 1950
Some of our Friday Night Bands would really like this setup…. walk to the stage without touching the sand! This photo was probably taken around 1950.
Giant Dipper Painted
Our Giant Dipper is GLEAMING!! Thanks to painting contractor Baynum Painting, headquartered in Kentucky, they specialize in painting roller coasters and amusement park rides. Fun Facts: • The Dipper turns
The Abominable SunMan
We’ve had some crazy-fun characters here at the Boardwalk but, I’m not sure any of them beat out the Abominable SunMan. Who remembers this hairy beach beast?
Marini’s Hat Stand, 1967
In 1967, Marini’s Hat Stand was a cute little concession near the Ferris Wheel. Does anybody recognize the building?
Giant Mola Mola and Octopus, 1927
The capture of a giant ocean sunfish (Mola Mola) and an octopus that measured twelve feet from tip to tip called for an exhibit of these two rarities.
My early days
I was born in Salt Creek Northern Ca. and my family moved to Soquel. I was 9 when Pearl Harbor happened. I went to Santa Cruz High as Soquel High
Under the Boardwalk, 1963
I met my husband cruising Beach Street at the Boardwalk. He was riding with a buddy in an XKE; I was driving my Sprite with my girlfriend. We decided to
Oldest couple to ride the Giant Dipper?, 2013
My parents were visiting Santa Cruz for Thanksgiving 2013 so we took them for a day at the Boardwalk. They wanted to ride the Giant Dipper with their grandkids and
Mabel & Ethel Shepherd, 1917
My grandmother and her sister traveled from Fresno to Santa Cruz in the early 1900s to sunbathe and enjoy the Boardwalk. I find it uncanny how similar it looks today.
Everyone Called Me “Monkey”, 1959
My mom, 3 sisters and I would go to Santa Cruz every summer for 3 weeks. I got to know the Boardwalk vendors and ride operators because I was pretty
My Family’s Boardwalk Memoriesf, 1990
When my children were young we would drive from Redmond, Washington to Hollister,California to visit my wife’s sister. Then we would drive over to the Boardwalk. For a Pepsi can
In the Arcade, 1966
My brother and I chaperoning our older sister on a date. We had our picture taken together in the Arcade, the year was approx. 1966.
