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History
The family-operated Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk celebrated its Centennial in 2007. As one of the last of the great seaside amusement parks in the United States, the Boardwalk gets better every year.
Our History
The Boardwalk's roots go back to 1865, when John Leibrandt opened a public bathhouse near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Other bathhouses followed and scores of tourists began visiting Santa Cruz to enjoy the highly-touted natural medicine of bathing in salt water.
Soon more concessions sprang up including restaurants, curio shops, and photo stands. Toward the end of the century Fred W. Swanton, considered one of the greatest promoters and entrepreneurs of his time, laid plans for a casino and boardwalk a Coney Island of the West.
Links to more Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk history:
Millions of Memories
We asked the community to send us their Boardwalk photographs and stories - the results are amazing. From a 1919 photograph of the Comfort Familys picnic on the beach, to stories about working the walk from Santa Cruz High School alumi. Its like browsing through a family photo album.
Browse Millions of Memories
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A Century by the Sea
A new book The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea, is filled with historical information and hundreds of photographs from the Boardwalk's colorful past. Now available at your local bookstore, at the Boardwalk's Under the Rainbow Store or our online store.
Purchase book online |
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100 Years, Millions of Memories DVD
The 90-minute documentary about the Boardwalk is filled with rare film footage, vintage photographs, and heartfelt interviews which capture the Santa Cruz Boardwalk's enduring appeal to children of all ages. Available at the Boardwalk or our online store.
Purchase DVD online
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Historic Walking Tour
A self-guided history tour of the Boardwalk. The brochure includes points of interest and fun facts about the historic Boardwalk and Cocoanut Grove. The brochure map includes the location of 18 new interpretive signs recently installed around the park.
The Historic Walking Tour brochure is available at the Miniature Golf station, inside Neptune's Kingdom.
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