SANTA CRUZ (CA) BOARDWALK-
West Coasts Oldest and Only Active Seaside Amusement Park – Surf Concert on the Beach
SANTA CRUZ, CA – Santa Cruz Boardwalk is purportedly the last original, full time operating boardwalk on the West Coast and top rated boardwalk in America. It’s Big Dipper rollercoaster is over 100 years old and the fifth biggest in the United States and largest wooden coaster. Here, as you enter the Boardwalk theough the Casino there are pictures of an early Boardwalk along with other ill fated ones
LAUGHING SAL
is a refugee from the old San Francisco PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH. When that closed in the early 1970s, the original Sal – there are a number of copy cats – lay dormant for years until Santa Cruz brought her back to greet visitors here, as seen above, as they enter the Boardwalk from the Casino.
intro
The popular Boardwalk Concert Series
brings thousands to the Beach during the
summer. August 30 was the last for the summer, featuring the popular local favorites, PAPA DOO RUN RUN featuring surf music and oldies. We can recall when the series began some twenty years ago when older exclusively Fifties and Sixties
groups and artists like DEL SHANNON, BRIAN HYLAND
TINY TIM and the DRIFTERS played before small throngs
(before the big stage was built)
PAPA DOO RUN RUN,
now in it’s 48th year, is a true original act, not just a nostalgia cover band. The San Jose based group has written music and played with the BEACH BOYS among others and are the perenial favorites of the Boardwalk, now making it an annual habit and
having played the venue more than any other group. Here they perform the BEACH BOYS’ ‘Surfin USA.‘
Papa Doo Run Run is not just a surf group. They once opened for the great ROY ORBISON and here
they pay tribute to him with their version of ‘Cryin.’
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COUPONS
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THE GIANT DIPPER Roller Coaster at SANTA CRUZ Boardwalk –
one of the last and oldest wooden roller coasters and 5th largest roller coaster in the world
Santa Cruz Boardwalk is purportedly the last original, full time operating boardwalk on the West Coast and top rated boardwalk in America. It’s Big Dipper rollercoaster is over 100 years old and the fifth biggest in the United States and largest wooden coaster.
‘Laughing Sal’
PAPA DOO RUN RUN is introduced…
…and takes the stage
People riding the bucket cars while others enjoy the concert from the ‘balcony.’
CAPITOLA-BY-THE-BEACH, CA
A few miles down the road from Santa Cruz is a much smaller beach community, CAPITOLA.
We stopped there first to pick up an Hawaiian Shirt or two at the famous BIG KAHUNA.
Unfortunately it was closed but we saw some spectacular views and well-heeled folks enjoying
a warm evening sunset at places like the restaurant, on the water.
It’s the weekend of the BEGONIA FESTIVAL in Capitola, which has brought out the crowds
and some nice musical entertainment
You won’t find a more relaxed setting
If you want a Hawaiian Tshirt this is the place, but get there before 6:30 pm
Lots of other quaint shops dot a four block stretch
