![]() There are ways you can ensure a successful day at the boardwalk and cut costs at the same time by being an early bird. Families set up lawn chairs and spread out blankets to listen to nostalgia acts, like The English Beat, Foghat and 10,000 Maniacs, and dance to Motown and '50s bop. The fun continues at night with a free Friday night concert series, Bands on the Beach, from June 14 to Aug. A favorite is the colorful Sea Dragon, which rises gently in the air and has space for parents to share the seat. ![]() Many other rides, like Bouncin’ Buggies, Convoy and the Beach Swing, allow kids under 36 inches to ride with a chaperone. The family-owned boardwalk is distinctive for the number of rides for little ones, from classics like Kiddie Cruzers, Speed Boats and Jet Copters to newer specialties like Bulgy the Whale. The park boasts more than 40 rides, along with all the classic games and food booths. But the Looff Carousel, with its colorful hand-carved horses, and the Giant Dipper, one of the most famous wooden roller coasters in the world, are just the beginning. Like its East Coast counterpart, Coney Island, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has lured revelers for more than 100 years and boasts two rides that are bona fide National Historic Landmarks. Visit One of the West Coast’s Most Beloved Boardwalks Located about an hour south of San Francisco, here are the top things to do in Santa Cruz for kids (and parents) of all ages. Today the sleepy seaside town’s retro appeal and laid-back vibe are drawing a new generation of families who come as much for the area’s scenic beauty as for the old-fashioned summer fun. View the current offers here.įor generations of Californians, Santa Cruz has been synonymous with beach town, thanks to its long stretches of sand, colorful boardwalk and host of family-friendly activities. ![]() If you've got a smaller family, a quaint Capitola rental on the beach might be best for you.Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. If you're looking to visit for a couple of days or even a couple weeks, there are plenty of beach house rentals in Santa Cruz and Capitola to choose from. With tons of beautiful exhibits, touch pools and opportunities to learn about the marine life in the Monterey Bay, this is a can't miss excursion. This Spring, the Easter Bunny will be along for the ride and and there will be a candy egg hunt and a chance to win prizes! Monterey Bay AquariumĪnother fun activity for kids is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Hop aboard the Roaring Camp Railroads’ 1880 Steam Train and enjoy scenic views of the Santa Cruz Redwoods and Mountains. There is a new tinker lab where science, art and technology intersect, allowing kids to "tinker" around with tools to create their own creative contraptions. The MOD is located in the Capitola Mall, features tons of interactive exhibits geared towards kids ages 0-12. Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery A new exhibit offers the opportunity to pet a swell shark it’s completely safe and completely cool. It displays sea life curated from the Monterey Bay, from right outside the windows. The Seymour Discovery Center is a small aquarium. Like the whale, the acorns are often a huge hit with kids. The Ohlone exhibit offers an opportunity to grind up acorns in a stone mortar and pestle. The Museum highlights the region’s diverse plant, animal, and human communities of the Monterey Bay area and is filled with tons of fun exhibits that kids will love! There is a tide pool exhibit where you can touch hermit crabs, sea stars, and anemones (make sure to remind kids to be gentle). There's also an exhibit about the lives of the Ohlone people, who lived in Santa Cruz before the arrival of European colonists. It’s almost uncanny how universally beloved the whale is it seems to be impossible to resist the urge to climb up its back. The boardwalk is appropriate for little kids and older ones alike, with a variety of age-appropriate rides and activities.Īffectionately called “the whale museum” by locals, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History features an impressive concrete whale sculpture in its courtyard. The boardwalk has a fun, old-fashioned feel, featuring the the historic Big Dipper roller coaster, as well as a beautiful hand-carved carousel from 1911. Odds are, your kids do too, and if they’re not already begging you to go, the boardwalk will make a great surprise. If you’re coming to the Santa Cruz area, you probably already know about the boardwalk. Santa Cruz and Capitola are full of places your kids will love! As an added bonus, they’re also totally fun for adults, too! Check out these family friendly activities throughout Santa Cruz County. ![]() Got kids? Need some ideas for how to keep them entertained on vacation? You’ve come to the right place.
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