Directions & Parking

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located at: 
400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz, California

The Boardwalk is a popular destination on weekends and holidays, so we suggest arriving early to ensure onsite parking.

Directions

Take Highway 17 or scenic Highway 1 to Santa Cruz and follow the street signs to Santa Cruz Beach.

Boardwalk All-Day Parking*

  • Summer Weekends & Holidays: $35
  • Summer Weekdays (Memorial Day-Labor Day): $25
  • Spring & Fall Weekends: $25
  • Weekdays: $20
  • Limited Ride Days: $15
  • Rides Closed: $5

*Subject to change. No overnight parking. 

Parking FAQs

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. 
  • 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: main entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue). River lot pay stations are located near the parking lot entrance.
  • 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.

When a Season Pass is redeemed, you will receive a coupon sheet containing four (4) $5 discount coupons, each for use on separate visits. The coupon sheet cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Coupons may be redeemed at automated Parking Lot Pay Stations or with a Parking Lot Attendant.

For Deluxe Season pass holders, free parking is available Monday-Friday, exclusions apply.

Free Parking Monday-FridayNEW FOR 2026
(Excludes 5/25, 6/19, 7/3, & 9/7)

School buses may park for free, but must use the River Lot (past section 4) 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 by the section 4 pole (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.

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.

  1. Go to any Pay Station in the parking lot.
  2. Select the “Lost Ticket” option on the screen.
  3. Complete the payment as prompted.
  4. A replacement ticket with a barcode will be printed for you.
  5. Proceed to any exit gate and scan the barcode to exit the lot.

A Parking team member is available via the Help button at any pay station if you need 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. 

If you are parked in one of our automated parking lots, and have lost your paid parking ticket, you can request assistance by pressing the Help button an any of the pay stations or exits.

What can we help you find?

1. Advance Purchase Requirement

  • Group orders must be pre-purchased online prior to your visit.
  • On-site group ride wristband purchases will not be available or accommodated.

2. Add-ons

  • MyBoardwalk Cards for food and arcade games can be added at the time of your ride wristband purchase.
  • Please note that all food and game locations are cashless and require a MyBoardwalk Card or other electronic payment methods.
  • Wristbands may be added in a single add-on transaction on the day of your visit. Additional wristbands cannot be added later in the day.

3. Payment

  • Purchase Orders are not accepted.
  • For check payments, please email [email protected] to request an invoice. Be sure to allow up to 3 business days for invoice processing prior to your group visit.
  • Accepted payment methods include: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and MyBoardwalk Cards.
  • All purchases must be completed in a single payment transaction.

4. Group Check-In Procedure

  • Your group order will be prepared and available for pick-up on the day of your visit at the Season Pass & Groups Services Office, located at the Main Entrance of the park.
  • The designated group leader must present the order number (for online purchases) or reservation number (for manual invoices) upon arrival at check-in. The leader must also provide the name of the individual who placed the order.
  • Individual printed tickets are not required for each group member.
  • If ride wristbands are included in your order, the entire group must be present at check-in.
  • A staff member is required to wristband individuals who purchased a ride wristband.
  • The group leader is responsible for checking in the full group and confirming which individuals will receive ride wristbands. Wristbands will not be distributed unless the group leader is present.

5. Parking

  • Standard parking rates apply for all group visits.
  • Parking in all Boardwalk lots is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No in-and-out privileges are permitted.
  • Parking fees are charged at a daily flat rate. For current pricing, please visit
    https://beachboardwalk.com/directions.
  • Only school or group charter buses may park free of charge in the River Lot. Buses may unload guests in the street loading zone between Neptune’s Kingdom and the Main Entrance, then proceed to park in the River Lot located at 100 3rd St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
  • Bus parking is limited and not guaranteed. No in-and-out privileges are permitted.

6. Refunds and Exchanges

  • No refunds.
  • Exchanges from ride wristbands to MyBoardwalk Cards (equal to the paid value of the wristband) may be issued for individuals who did not attend.
  • Exchanges will only be honored if the minimum group size of 15 is met and the order is paid in full.
  • The Boardwalk is not responsible for lost wristbands.

7. Supervision of Minors

Chaperones and guardians are responsible for the behavior and supervision of minors in their group. Appropriate conduct is expected at all times. The park does not assume responsibility or liability for unattended minors.

MyBoardwalk Photos

Capture memories from your visit with 5 photo locations! Choose from an All-Day or All-Season Digital Photo Pass for one low price, plus receive $2 off print packages including photo prints, keychains and magnets.

people playing laser tag
family playing Miniature Golf

Additional Discounts

  • 1x BOGO Laser Tag*– Redeemable at the attraction with your Season Pass card.
  • 1x BOGO Mini Golf*– Redeemable at the attraction with your Season Pass card.
  • 1x BOGO Fright Walk*– Redeemable at the attraction with your Season Pass card.
  • 1x BOGO Laser Maze*– Redeemable at the attraction with your Season Pass card.
  • 1x BOGO $10 MyBoardwalk Card*– Buy one $10 MyBoardwalk Card get one loaded with 10 Bonus Points. Redeemable at any Ticket Booth with your Season Pass card.
  • 1x BOGO Bowling Coupon – Redeemable at Boardwalk Bowl. Coupon will be given with each 2026 Season Pass. Not replaceable if lost or stolen.
  • 4x $5 Off Parking Coupons– Coupon sheet will be given with each 2026 Season Pass. Not replaceable if lost or stolen.

*Offers are entitlements loaded on the card. They cannot be applied without the Season Pass card. Offers must be redeemed at time of purchase.

 

Ride Wristbands on Hands

Bring-a-Friend-for-Free Days

Present your Season Pass at any ticket booth to pick up your wristband for the day, and your friend will receive one free All-Day Rides Wristband!

  • February 7 & 8, 2026*
  • February 28, 2026
  • March 1, 2026
  • June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2026
  • October 24 & 25, 2026
  • November 27, 2026*

One wristband per Season Pass. Friend must be present at the time of redemption for the wristband. No coupon is necessary.
*Please note this is a Limited Rides Day and not all rides will be operating.

Girls in Arcade

Casino Arcade Free Play

Show your Season Pass at the Casino Arcade entrance and enjoy exclusive free play from 9am-11am!

  • April 18, 2026
  • September 19, 2026

Limit one entry per Season Pass (Season Pass Members under 12 years old may be accompanied by an adult). Redemption/ticket games will be excluded. Valid only in the Casino Arcade. No coupon is necessary.

10% Off Food & Retail

Present your Season Pass card at time of purchase.

Includes Coasters at Boardwalk Bowl.

Discount cannot be applied after transaction.
Screen shots or photos of Season Pass will not be accepted.
Offer not valid for online purchases.

Deluxe Season Parking, Free Parking Details
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