Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is off SR 1 following signs to the municipal wharf. This beachside amusement park has been entertaining young and old alike for more than a century. In addition to more than three dozen rides, there are attractions like miniature golf, laser tag, a bowling alley and the nautically themed Neptune's Kingdom entertainment center. The Casino Arcade has pinball machines, air hockey, skee-ball and a variety of video games.

A highlight is a hand-carved Looff carousel, which dates from 1911 and features a rare brass ring machine and an original 342-pipe organ. Both the carousel and the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, built in 1924, are National Historic Landmarks. Logger's Revenge offers panoramic ocean views from a vantage point high above the park, and it's a certainty that you'll get splashed during the final drop. Little kids can pilot Kiddie Cruzers that are designed to resemble classic cars from the 1940s.

Thrill rides include the Double Shot, which propels brave souls 125 feet skyward for a spectacular bird's-eye view of the coast before shooting them back down to Earth. Nerves of steel are also required for a spin on Undertow, a roller coaster equipped with a dizzying assortment of sharp turns, sudden drops and speedy downhill lunges.

It wouldn't be an amusement park without a tasty array of munchies, and the caloric delights here include corn dogs, deep-fried artichoke hearts and Italian sausage sandwiches. On Friday nights during the summer months free band concerts take place at the beach bandstand.

Food is available.