Lauren's Locales: Cruising Through Santa Cruz

The sun is high in the sky and the air is hot, so take a drive and go to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. A short car ride just south of Santa Clara will take you to cool surf, sandy shores and the oldest surviving amusement park in the U.S. Founded in 1907, this boardwalk is one of the few remaining seaside parks on the West Coast.

The Boardwalk extends along the coast of Monterey Bay and covers 24 acres of park fun. There is a wide range of entertainment including an arcade, an indoor miniature golf course, a laser tag arena and thrill rides of all kinds. The most famous ride at the Boardwalk is the Giant Dipper coaster, recognizable as one of the most visible landmarks in Santa Cruz.

The park offers plenty of thrill rides. Visitor favorites include Double Shot - a 125-foot tower ride that comes with an awesome view of the ocean before being dropped 10 stories. If you like the height but not the drop, try Fireball - this ride's powerful G-force swing spins its riders to dizzying heights. If these rides sound a little too daring, not to worry, there are equally fun attractions like Cliff Hanger that allow visitors to experience the smooth sensation of hang gliding.

If at some point you become hungry after all the excitement, the Boardwalk offers great restaurants around the park. While it is possible to stop for a quick bite to eat at many of the random food carts that can be found, some prefer a sit-down meal. Favorites include the Dipper Diner, popular for their all-American cuisine, and Surf City Grill, famous for their fresh-dipped corn dogs and clam chowder bowls.

If you are in the mood for something sweet, however, look into Marini's at the beach, popular for their delicious salt water taffy, caramel apples and even chocolate-covered bacon. Or check out one of the many vendors who sell everything from chocolate-covered soft-serve ice cream and funnel cake to deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos.

The boardwalk portion of the park stretches along a wide sandy beach where visitors can go relax in the sun after a full day of rides and food. You can end your festivities by enjoying the sand and making the most of your day in Santa Cruz.

Contact Lauren Bonney at lbonney@scu.edu.