The Boardwalk and Beyond

As the city's famed attraction turns 100, Santa Cruz kicks off a summer of fun

 
Courtesy of Sana Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Strapped snugly into a car on the Giant Dipper, we creak up, up, up the giant wooden structure. My sweetheart, seated next to me, squeezes my hand. We reach the top, and for a long moment, we’re hovering above the giant blue yonder of the Pacific Ocean … and then, whoosh! We free-fall at breakneck speed, zooming around the historic coaster’s dips and twists and turns. Finally, the Dipper slows down, and we jump out, and, like the 50 million riders before us, go for a stroll down the boardwalk, still laughing like little kids.

If you’ve never been to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, this would be the perfect time to check it out: The boardwalk is celebrating its centennial anniversary this summer with concerts, exhibits, and events. Of course, there’s much more to do in this charming coastal city than ride roller coasters. Here are some tips for the perfect family trip or romantic weekend getaway.

What to do
Beach Boardwalk

Admission is free to stroll the boardwalk and the mile-long beach. As for the rides, roller coasters just don’t get better than the Giant Dipper, which was built in 1924. Little ones love the 1911 Looff carousel, a registered National Historic Landmark. There are also bumper cars, a log ride, and any number of spinning rides along the midway, as well as miniature golf, shooting galleries, and one of the best vintage video arcades in the world. And don’t forget to sample the carnival-style cuisine. Nearly every kind of deep-fried food—including Twinkies—is available here.

Special events include free concerts—staged in front of spectacular Pacific Ocean sunsets—on weekend evenings. On June 9, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History hosts a black tie–optional Centennial Gala in the boardwalk’s famed Cocoanut Grove Ballroom. The museum (705 Front St., 831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org) is hosting A Century by the Sea exhibit through September 2.
Individual rides cost between $2.25 and $4.50, and an unlimited-rides wristband is $28.95. 400 Beach St., (831) 423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com.

From the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The Mystery Spot
A rare case of a tourist trap that’s worth the trip, the Mystery Spot has been pulling visitors into its vortex since 1940. Located among breathtaking redwoods, the Mystery Spot is a wood cabin where traditional laws of physics don’t seem to apply. Cue balls roll uphill, short people stand eye to eye with tall people, and the spot’s tour guides have fun with the “and no one knows why” factor. Some say the gravitational anomalies are due to an alien spaceship buried deep underground; we’ll just admit that the 45-minute tour is more easily experienced than explained. Tours daily. Admission is $5 per car, plus $5 per person. 465 Mystery Spot Rd., (831) 423-8897, www.mysteryspot.com.

Courtesy of Mystery Spot

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
The world’s first surfing museum is in a lighthouse on West Cliff Drive. Literally packed to the rafters with vintage surfboards, the museum has photos, videos, and exhibits that offer a fun glimpse of the sport’s California origins, making this a worthwhile stop along the beautiful West Cliff walking trail. Plus, you can watch real surfers hanging 10 on breaks in the ocean’s Steamer Lane. Open Thursdays through Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $1 per person. 701 West Cliff Dr., (831) 420-6289, www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org.

Courtesy of Ten Speed Press

Skyview Drive-in Movies
One of the last remaining drive-in theaters in Northern California, the Skyview is a great end-of-day treat on a family trip. Bring your own snacks, and snuggle your way through a double feature. Open Friday to Sunday evenings, $6 per person. 2260 Soquel Dr., (831) 475-3405, www.skyviewsantacruzonline.com.

Live Music
Santa Cruz isn’t the place to find Vegas DJs spinning until dawn. Instead, the city has a great live-music scene, with countless bars and clubs hosting singers and bands of every style.

If you’re planning a special getaway and want to see a well-known performer, Santa Cruz’s Civic Auditorium (307 Church St., 831-420-5260, www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/pr/civic/) is a terrific venue. The auditorium books everyone from Beck to Los Lobos to Taj Mahal, as well as jazz and classical music festivals.

World music listeners and KFOG-heads should visit the Rio Theatre (1205 Soquel Ave., 831-423-8209, www.riotheatre.com), a classic movie house turned performance space.

Rock fans should check out The Catalyst (1011 Pacific Ave., 831-423-1338, www.catalystclub.com). Folkies Willie Nelson and Patty Griffin and rapper E-40 played here earlier this year, and legends like Neil Young and Pearl Jam have been known to show up, plug in, and kick ass from time to time.

Where to Eat
Santa Cruz has heaps of funky cafes and terrific taquerias. Here are four fun eateries worth considering.

The Crepe Place (1134 Soquel Ave., 831-429-6994) has been offering fine food amid funky decor since the early 1970s. Pink Godzilla (830 41st Ave., 831-464-2586) is a legendary sushi spot. And the 24-hour Santa Cruz Diner (909 Ocean St., 831-426-7151) has a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices. If the kids are hungry after the 70-mile drive from Danville, this is an easy first stop, as Highway 17 runs right into Ocean Street.

Local foodies recommend Theo’s in Soquel, just a few miles south of downtown Santa Cruz. Housed in a charming cottage, the restaurant grows herbs and spices in its backyard garden. Chef Nicci Tripp offers a five-course tasting menu for $65 and seven courses for $75. Reservations are recommended. 3101 N. Main, Soquel, (831) 462-3657, www.theosrestaurant.com.

Where to Stay
A former boy’s school on a redwoods-covered hill has been transformed into the Chaminade Resort (1 Chaminade La., 800-283-6569, www.chaminade.com), a hotel and conference center with stunning views of the Pacific. A recent $6 million renovation upgraded the former dormitory into fancy rooms and suites. The pool and hiking trails make this a perfect spot for active families. The property’s Spa at Chaminade offers a menu of massages, salt scrubs, and body wraps. Room rates range from $199 to $749.

The Pleasure Point Inn (2-3665 E. Cliff Dr., 831-475-4657, www.pleasurepointinn.com), a four-room bed-and-breakfast, is earthy but upscale, and kids aren’t allowed, so the mood is quiet and romantic. The inn’s location on Pleasure Point allows guests to watch the sunrise over Monterey Bay and the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from the rooftop hot tub. On-site spa services and surf lessons are available. Rates range from $225 to $295.

If you are looking to stay closer to the boardwalk, the Coast Santa Cruz Hotel (175 W. Cliff Dr., 831-426-4330, www.coasthotels.com) is within walking distance. There are also many motels by the boardwalk, but some of them seem a bit dodgy. We can recommend the Travelodge (525 Ocean St., 831-426-2300, www.travelodge.com) for its clean rooms and friendly service.