Directions & Parking

Parking in all Boardwalk Parking Lots is available on a first-come first-served basis in open-air lots along Beach Street. Parking fees are charged at a flat rate per day. There are NO in-and-out parking privileges. Please see our Park Map for parking lot locations.

• Main Lot: Opens at 6am
• River Lot: Opens 2 hours before rides open. Closes 1 hour before closing.
• Leibrandt & Park Place Lots: Opens 2 hours before rides open Saturday-Sunday and holidays. Closing times vary.
• All vehicles must be out of all parking lots by 2:30am. No overnight parking or camping. Vehicles will be towed at owners expense.

Please check Ride hours on our Operating Calendar. 

The price of parking cars and motorcycles at the Boardwalk is subject to change and depends on the day of your visit:

Please see list above.

• Spring: Starting with full operation in February until the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend.
• Fall: After Labor Day until full operation ends in October.

• Main Lot: Please pay after you park by scanning the QR code on your parking ticket using a smartphone, or at a Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue).
• River, Liebrandt, and Park Place Lots: Please pay a Parking Lot Attendant at the entrance of the lot.

NOTE: All parking lots accept cashless payments only including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.

At the time a Season Pass is redeemed, a coupon sheet is issued with four (4) coupons each for a $5 discount on separate visits. Please note that the coupon sheet is not replaceable if lost or stolen. Coupons can be redeemed during the payment process: either scan when paying by phone or Parking Lot Pay Station or submit when paying a Parking Lot Attendant.

School buses may park for free, but must use the River Lot at the corner of Beach and Third Street. Space is limited and not guaranteed.

On days of full operation, RVs must park in the River Parking Lot (space is limited and not guaranteed). Parking Rates for Oversized Vehicles: $40-$50 weekdays and $50-$70 weekends.

NO; overnight parking is not allowed, except for paid participants registered to attend Overnight Campout events on specific dates.

On busy weekends and holidays, Beach Street Parking Lots tend to fill by around 2:00pm. Guests may enjoy our FREE Parking option with FREE Shuttle Service departing from the Santa Cruz County Government Center at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz.

NOTE:  Shuttles are not wheelchair accessible.

Off-street parking is also available at designated parking meters maintained by the City of Santa Cruz.

For vehicles displaying a disabled placard or license plate, there are designated parking spaces in the front rows of our Main Parking Lot. Regular fees apply and availability is not guaranteed. Please see the Accessibility Information flyer for more information.

We do not offer EV chargers for electric vehicles.

Please press the help button at any Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue) or Main Lot Exit (Riverside Avenue, Second Street, or Cliff Street) for assistance.

Unfortunately, we do not provide towing or car unlocking services. Please contact a towing company of your choice or contact your insurance.

For assistance, please press the HELP button at any Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue) or Main Lot Exit (Riverside Avenue, Second Street, or Cliff Street) or call the Boardwalk at (831) 423-5590.

Upon entering the Main lot, your ticket is timestamped. You have a 15-minute grace period to exit without charge if you leave within 15 minutes of entry.