If you’ve been meaning to make the drive down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this summer, this is your sign to go now.
The historic, 119-year-old seaside amusement park is officially entering the final week of its free seasonal programming, with nightly entertainment, movie screenings, and major ride discounts running through early August.
As California’s largest admission-free amusement park, the Boardwalk offers one of the most accessible summer experiences on the coast. You can stroll right in from the beach without paying a dime, then pick and choose what to splurge on—from arcade games to thrill rides like the new Vertigo 360, which debuted earlier this season and sends riders swinging 60 feet in the air.
A week of movies, music, and seaside entertainment
The final days of the Boardwalk’s summer programming still pack a full schedule. There are two more free movie screenings left on the calendar: Jurassic Park on July 31st, and The Goonies on August 7, both starting at 9pm.
Meanwhile, “Evenings on the Colonnade” continue to bring nightly entertainment right along the waterfront through August 6. Expect magicians and acrobats Monday-Wednesday, live music on Thursday, and a DJ-led dance party on Saturday and Sunday. It’s a lively, family-friendly atmosphere that blends classic boardwalk nostalgia with a festival-like energy.
Earlier risers can still take advantage of Mornings at the Arcade through Aug. 7, offering half-priced arcade games before 11am, while evening visitors can score some of the best deals of the season during weekday Summer Discount Nights after 5pm.