Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
A classic California beach day filled with roller coasters, midway games, arcades, and oceanfront attractions.
13 items
typical 1-day kit
Operator
Santa Cruz Seaside Company
Park type
Seaside Amusement Park
Setting
Outdoor
Best kit length
1 day
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What to expect at this park
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk combines classic amusement rides, thrill rides, kiddie attractions, midway games, arcades, and miniature golf alongside the beach. The historic Giant Dipper and Looff Carousel are among its signature attractions, and admission to the Boardwalk itself is free.
Coastal weather can shift from sunny and warm to cool and breezy, so sunscreen and a light layer are both useful. Comfortable shoes help with walking the Boardwalk, while a small bag makes managing belongings on rides easier.
Plan around these
Coastal layers
Ocean breezes can make mornings and evenings cool — bring a light layer.
Beach sun
The open waterfront gets plenty of sun — sunscreen and sunglasses help.
Ride storage
Loose items aren't allowed on some rides - keep belongings easy to secure.
Seasonal ride hours
The Boardwalk is year-round, but ride schedules vary by date and season.
Cashless purchases
Food, attractions, and midway games use cashless payment, so bring a card or mobile wallet.
Busy afternoons
Summer weekends are busiest in the afternoon — arriving early can help.
Check the official policies before you pack
Bag sizes, cooler rules and prohibited items change without notice. We link straight to the park's own pages rather than repeating details that might be out of date.
Sources last verified 21 August 2026. Vacation Travel Kits is independent and not affiliated with this park.
What packers bring here most
Pulled from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk kits people build on this site.
Refillable water bottles
86% of kits
Break in your walking shoes
55% of kits
Phone charging cable
63% of kits
Collapsible cooler bag
22% of kits
Small bills and a card holder
33% of kits
Ponchos, not umbrellas
75% of kits
Common questions
Yes. Backpacks, beach bags, water bottles, strollers, wagons, coolers, and ice chests are allowed on the property, but larger items cannot go inside rides or attractions.
Yes. Rental lockers are available at several locations around the Boardwalk and can be reopened throughout the rental period.
You may bring a stroller, but the Boardwalk currently does not rent them. Strollers aren't permitted in ride queues or attractions.
Policies vary by attraction. Some rides provide cubbies, while others require loose items to be left with a non-rider or secured before boarding.
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