Wild Mouse Terror, 1979
I remember my mom using her tax return money to take me and my brother to the Boardwalk from San Carlos. We rented a tiny, cheap beach motel with 2
Laser Lights and Bumper Cars, 1983
A bunch of us girls piled into our car and headed over to the Boardwalk. Of course we did the Giant Dipper. It was the first time my friend Jessica
The Best, 2013
I’ve been going to the boardwalk for over 50 years now and have had a fantastic experience each and every year. I’ve enjoyed the rides, beach, wharf and of course
Miss California Pageant, 1927
The annual Miss California competition was held in Santa Cruz from 1924 – 1985, with many of the big events at the Boardwalk and Cocoanut Grove. This photo was taken
Junior Lifeguards, 1968
Check out this 1968 photograph of Junior Lifeguards taking a break in front of the Boardwalk. I bet some of these guys are still out surfing at Steamers Lane!
Giant Dipper, 1976
The Giant Dipper has a fresh paint job in this photo.. the white and red paint looks super sharp! What flags are flying? These days we fly the California state
Classic Photograph, 1904
There’s so much action in this 1904 photo! Can you see the sack race in progress? What’s up with the organ and the rocking chair? See the tall ladders for
Giant Dipper and Group of Boys, 1948
A 1948 photo of the Giant Dipper shows three people per row! We don’t have a record of who these group of boys are, but my guess is that it
Logger’s Revenge, 1977
In 1977 the Logger’s Revenge, a large flume ride, replaced the Wild Mouse. Water rides have been popular in amusement parks nationwide since the first Shoot the Chutes dumped folks
Dantes Inferno, 1929
Dantes Inferno (1932-1933) was the first dark ride at the Boardwalk. Billed as “A Trip Through Hades,” it featured six motor-driven cars that took riders through a dark cavern. Developed
Miss California Pageant, 1953
Miss California pageants were held on the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand every year from 1924 to 1966, drawing huge crowds. This is the 1953 pageant.
Casa del Rey Hotel, 1911
The Casa del Rey Hotel once stood where our main parking lot is now. Hotel guests could cross Beach Street without going outside. The hotel enjoyed many glamorous decades, ending
The Boardwalk, 1924
This 1924 photo shows the Giant Dipper, still under construction. The unusual angle of the image, also reveals the wooden Boardwalk, and 2 wharfs. In the background you can also
Cleaning the Beach with Farm Equipment, 1956
This 1956 photo shows Lou Abbott cleaning the beach with, what looks a lot like, farm equipment. Today we use newer equipment, but the concept of sifting and raking the
Beach Bandstand, 1970
Our Beach Bandstand, seen here in the 1970s, has changed a lot over the years. Today’s bandstand is seasonal, removed every winter and rebuilt in the spring… just in time
Hurricane Deck, 1972
These 1972 photos show the construction of the Boardwalk’s upper deck. We have informally called it the Hurricane deck in recent years but it’s now becoming the UNDERTOW Deck!
