Santa Cruz Beach
Santa Cruz Beach is the most visited beach in Northern California. With the Santa Cruz Boardwalk adjacent to a beach that is the hub of Northern California surfing, there is no other stretch of sand in the area that can compete with Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Beach draws large summer crowds along its broad mile of ocean front, which can make parking a challenge on busy summer weekends. (See information on Parking below.) The beach curves from the San Lorenzo River on the south and then past the Boardwalk and the Municipal Wharf before connecting with Cowell Beach on the north.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
With more than 34 rides and attractions, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the most popular beachside destinations in California. The centerpieces of the classic seaside amusement park are its 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster and its 1911 Looff Carousel. Along with the big rides are kiddie rides, games, indoor arcades, restaurants, and miniature golf.
The Boardwalk is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on most weekends and holidays year-round. Rides are closed for most of December for maintenance. Admission to the Boardwalk is free. Ride tickets can be purchased individually or by an all-day wrist band.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Parking near Santa Cruz Beach
Metered Parking
Santa Cruz's parking meters operate Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Downtown meters are not operated on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Meter poles are color coded for the number of hours allowed. Blue poles are long term parking, 10-12 hours. Gray poles are for 6 hours maximum, orange 2 hours, brown 1 hour, and green 20-30 minutes.
Pay by coins, a ParkCard or use the Pay By Phone feature now offered in Santa Cruz.
Boardwalk Parking Lot
400 Beach Street
Parking Fees:
- $15 on ride days, $5 when rides are closed.
- RVs $30
Beach Parking Lots
100 Beach Street, River Lot on 3rd Street, 100-198 Park Place, 100-144 Leibrandt
Downtown Parking Lots
Soquel/Front Garage and the Locust Garage Soquel/Front Garage is located at Soquel Avenue and Front Street, 0.8 miles from the beach. Locust Garage is at the corner of Cedar and Locust. Paid hourly parking, 7 days a week. Pay at one of the Pay-on-Foot stations on the ground floor stair tower or the cashier's office. $1 for first two hours, ranging up to $5 for 7 hours.
Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, $7. A free shuttle runs to the Boardwalk and Beach every half hour in the afternoon on summer weekends and holidays. See Boardwalk Parking for details.
PARKER App A new smartphone application is available for iPhones and Androids. PARKER is free and once you have it, you can locate City of Santa Cruz parking lots and see the rates for each lot.
PARKER App
The Santa Cruz Metro Center at 920 Pacific Ave. is 2 blocks south of the Soquel/Front parking Garage. From the Metro Center you can take the #3 bus (or 3W on weekends) to Santa Cruz Beach. $2 in bills or coins. Operators do not make change. Children under 46 inches ride free (up to 3 children per paying fare).
Beach Residential Parking Permit Zone
An area near Santa Cruz Beach is part of a residential parking permit zone that is enforced from May 15 to September 30. Parking in this area without a permit is not allowed.
Always confirm parking information on street signs.
