A nostalgic look back at the West Coast’s oldest amusement park

Since its opening in 1907 as the “Coney Island of the West,” the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been the backdrop for scores of noteworthy cultural events through the years, from Duke Kahanamoku’s historic 1913 surfing exhibit to the Miss California pageant to major motion pictures, including Lost Boys and the Dirty Harry vehicle Sudden Impact. The Beach Boardwalk is an iconic part of the City of Santa Cruz. Ever since it opened in 1907, the Boardwalk has been a perfect spot for family trips to the beach. The Boardwalk offers visitors the pleasure of relaxing on a beach as well as roller coasters and rides for the more fearless people. Tourists first started coming to Santa Cruz in 1865, because "John Leibrandt built a public bathhouse near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River". By the end of the 19th century plans were being laid for a casino and boardwalk to be built similar to Coney Island. The new Cocoanut Grove ballroom, an indoor swimming pool, a pleasure pier, and a boardwalk, opened in June of 1907. The Giant Dipper roller coaster opened in 1924 and continues to thrill riders today. The Giant Dipper, a 70-foot-tall red and white roller coaster, is an iconic ride at the Boardwalk. The Giant Dipper is the oldest roller coaster in California. Ever since it was built over 60 million have experienced the Giant Dipper and to this day it remains a key attraction at the Boardwalk.