Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Response to COVID‑19

Updated 4/12/21

Open with enhanced safety and distancing guidelines, weather permitting:

A limited selection of Boardwalk rides - now open WEEKENDS! Park capacity and ride reservations are limited, advance reservations required. Details and hours.
Boardwalk Bowl bowling open daily.
Casino Arcade and Neptune's Kingdom open daily.
Miniature Golf open select dates.
Delicious treats at a variety of food locations. See hours.
Variety of shopping locations. See hours.
The Season Pass Office, located at the Boardwalk's Main Entrance, is open from 8:30am‑5pm Mon-Fri, and 8:30am-7pm Sat-Sun.
All locations are operating in accordance with state guidelines and local regulations.

Below is a partial list of the many health and safety measures the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has enacted as we welcome guests back to the Boardwalk.

Covid-19 Warning

We have implemented a variety of health and safety measures to protect our guests, and employees. Guests must follow all posted instructions while visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
By visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Help keep each other healthy and safe!

Face Coverings

Face coverings (masks) are required on the Boardwalk in accordance with state regulations. Masks are required at all times except while actively eating and drinking for all guests 2 years old and older, as well as employees.

Distancing Protocols

Capacity for the park and indoor arcades/attractions is limited to ensure necessary distancing.
Six-feet minimum distancing is required while standing in lines.
Signage, floor markers, and park-wide audio announcements help remind guests to maintain physical distancing.
Seating is spaced out and cleaned throughout the day in accordance with local and state regulations.

Sanitizing & Disinfection

Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the Boardwalk.
Increased sanitation of all high touch points multiple times daily.
Cashless transactions encouraged

Food & Beverage Locations

Plexi shields for food stations.
Enhanced sanitizing and wipe downs of all surfaces.
Safe delivery method of food orders to prevent unnecessary contact
All employees wearing gloves and masks at all times.

Rides

Ride Reservations are required.
Increased disinfecting of ride vehicles and high-touch points.
Hand sanitizer available at every ride.
Ride control boards and readers sanitized throughout the day.
No combining of parties to fill seats.
Some queue lanes closed to allow proper physical distancing.
Distancing markers placed at ride queues.
Plexi glass at rides where operator stations are not 6’ apart.
See below for seating requirements on each ride.

Rides Expected to Open Spring 2021

Giant Dipper – one person or family group per vehicle.
Shockwave – two empty seats between single riders.
Undertow – one person or family group per vehicle.
Fireball – end seats only per row or family members.
Sea Serpent – one person or family group per vehicle.
Cave Train – one empty row between families or single riders.
Cyclone – two empty standing areas between single riders.
Rock & Roll – one person or family group per vehicle.
Sea Swings – Seating every other row (4 swings), one person or family per row.
Sky Glider – one person or family group per vehicle.
Pirate Ship – one person or family group per every other row.
Wave Rider Slide – spacing protocols.
Tsunami – one person or family group per seat.
Twirlin’ Teacups – one person or family group per vehicle.
Ghost Blasters – one person or family group per vehicle.
Space Race – no change.
Bouncin’ Buggies – one person or family group per vehicle.
Bulgy the Whale – no change.
Speed Boats – one person or family group per vehicle.
Convoy – one single rider or family per row.

Rides Slated for Later Opening

Cliff Hanger – one person or family per vehicle.
Crazy Surf – two empty seats between single riders.
Lighthouse Lift-off – one group or single rider per section of seats.
Beach Swing – one family or single rider per side.
Jet Copters – one person or family group per vehicle.
Double Shot – one family group per row.
Rock-O-Plane – one person or family group per vehicle.
Typhoon – one person per outside seat or family group.
Wipeout – one person or family group per vehicle.
Looff Carousel – Seating every other row (4 horses), one person or family per row, no rings.
Freefall – two empty seats between single riders.
Haunted Castle – one person or family group per vehicle.
Logger’s Revenge – one person or family group per vehicle.
Rip Tide – one person or family group per vehicle.
Tornado – one person or family group per vehicle.
Kiddie Cruzers – no change.
Sea Dragons – one person or family group per vehicle.
Speedway – one person or family group per vehicle.

Casino Arcade

Capacity is limited to 50% of normal operation.
Select games removed or turned off to allow physical distancing.
Multiplayer games must be played by people in same household.
Limited capacity in the Prize Center.
Regular cleaning of all arcade games throughout the day.
Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the arcade.

Neptune's Kingdom (Mini Golf)

Capacity is limited to 25% of normal operation.
Guests must only golf with members of their own household.
Plexi shield at the counter to reduce close interactions.
Golf Marshall will enforce physical distancing guidelines throughout the course.
Golf balls and clubs are sanitized between each play.
Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the building.

Boardwalk Bowl

Contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized regularly.
Plexi shield at counter to reduce close interactions.
Hand sanitizer at entrance and throughout the facility.
At least one vacant lane between groups during open play to ensure physical distancing.
Guests may choose a house bowling ball from the Party Room (instead of the lanes) and leave it on the ball return when they have finished bowling. Staff will sanitize the balls after each use using a "Detox" machine.

Midway Games

Floor markings to help guests maintain physical distance while playing.
High touch items and game components are sanitized after each use and throughout the day.
Every other station turned off on race games to allow physical distancing.

Retail Locations

Plexi shields at checkout locations.
Capacity limited inside all retail locations and merchandise spaced out to ensure necessary distancing.
Floor markers to help remind guests to maintain physical distancing.

Screening Protocols

Employees must complete a CDC Covid-19 health questionnaire and have their temperatures checked prior to the start of their workday. Employees with a fever will be sent home.
Health screenings will be conducted by security for all vendors and visitors that will be entering buildings.

Additional Boardwalk Information

Season Passes Extended: All 2020 Season Passes have been extended through December 31, 2021!

2021 Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach Canceled: Due to capacity restrictions and uncertainties with Covid-19, the 2021 Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach concert series has been canceled. We hope to rock out on the beach again in 2022! It is still undecided whether we will host movies on the beach this summer.

Questions? Please email Boardwalk Guest Services – [email protected]