Santa Cruz, California......Having Fun on the Boardwalk

Our next travel destination is Santa Cruz, California, located 147 miles south of Sacramento and on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay.

Since ancient times the location of Santa Cruz ( Holy Cross in Spanish), was an ancient settlement of American Indian. It was also one of the earliest settlements of the Spanish during the 18 century.

In 1791, a mission was established, making Santa Cruz the twelfth mission to be founded in California. When California became a state in 1849, Santa Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties.

Due to its mild climate, ideal beaches, coastal redwood forests and scenic beauty, Santa Cruz became a prominent resort community and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States.

Ever since I can remember, Santa Cruz has been a vacation destination for our family. I briefly touched on this in my hub: My Wonderful Childhood Vacations.

One of the reasons Santa Cruz is a favorite vacation spot, is not only for its sandy beaches and beautiful coastline but for the Boardwalk , that was founded in 1907. The Boardwalk is a 24 acre park in Santa Cruz and is California’s oldest surviving amusement park.

The only two original rides from the 1950’s are the Giant Dipper roller coaster, best known wooden coaster in the world and the Looff Carousel , which still contains its original 342 pipe organ built in 1894.

During the 1950’s our family would venture every year to Santa Cruz for a weeks vacation. The Boardwalk of the 1950’s was different than the park is today. Remembering, the fun activities from those days, hold special times that will never be forgotten.

Then the Boardwalk had a Plunge , a gigantic indoor pool filled daily with heated saltwater. My brother and I would love swimming in this pool that was decorated with a statue of King Neptune and cherubs. Sadly, the Plunge closed in 1963 and is now home to Pee Wee miniature golf.

Remembering the Fun House on the Boardwalk as it was in the 1950’s was a blast with all the fun games they had. Grabbing your potato sack and going down the slide, the weird mirrors, that made you look fat or tall and thin, the spinning wooden disk, was like a record going slow, fast and would spin us off. Sometimes, you might be the last one on. The rotating barrel, the walkway….moving like a seesaw…you had to be a tough kid to play on those rides. If we skinned our knee it was no big deal.

In the early 1980’s the renovation for a new Boardwalk took place. Now arcades and old fashion games and eateries are seen along the Boardwalk, along with new rides to keep up with other family parks.

On the western end of the Boardwalk is a building once called Neptune Casino , that was popular in 1920’s. This was the first building built on the Boardwalk but later changed its name to the Cocoanut Grove . In the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Grove was a popular spot for major big band acts, including Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Also, in 1924, the first of many Miss California Pageants were held at the Boardwalk too. Now the building contains a video arcade, an indoor miniature golf course, laser tag and a banquet room conference center.

Another great event are the free Friday Night Concerts held at 6:30 and 8:30. Some fun bands like: The Animals, Eddie Money and Papa Doo Run Run, can be seen on stage but get there early because, needless, to say the beach gets very crowded.

The sandy beach and the ocean waves are fantastic. My Mom, brother and I would love to body surf in the ocean. Just, ride that wave with your arms held out, like your going to dive and let the wave take you back to shore. But, if your brave you can always try your hand a surfing because Santa Cruz, has long been considered the capital of Northern California surfing. If your having a day at the beach, bring a beach umbrella, your beach chairs, cooler with food and drink to enjoy your spot on the beach.

The Wharf is also a fun place, that host a variety of cafes and restaurants. Seals can be seen and heard along with sea otters, they are so cute, fishing from the pier is also a fun event. If you tire of the beach there is the lighthouse tour, Santa Cruz Mission and the downtown area to explore.

The town of Capitola is just around the corner, host to some cute shops and eateries. The Shadow Brook Restaurant is one I would recommend, a little pricy but remember your on vacation.

Santa Cruz has and is a fun destination for the family or just about anyone. There is a host of sight seeing to be seen but the Boardwalk is the main attraction and what I remember most from my vacations in Santa Cruz.

I hope you have enjoyed your sight-seeing venture with me. Northern California has many more places to see and explore. So, until next time…Ciao