CoasterGallery.com -- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California

At the beginning of the 20th Century, local entrepreneur Fred W. Swanton decided to build a casino and boardwalk. This “Coney Island of the West" opened in 1904, but was burned to the ground by a fire just 22 months after opening. Undeterred, Swanton rebuilt, and the new casino, indoor swimming pool, and pleasure pier opened exactly one year after the fire, June 22, 1907. The Boardwalk is built on a mile-long beach located between San Francisco and Monterey. They have nearly three dozen rides, three arcades, and plenty of shops.

Four coasters have left the park:

Jet Star (1972-1991) was a Schwarzkopf ride. It is presently Ripper at Thrill-Ville in Turner, Oregon.
L. A. Thompson Scenic Railway (1908-1923) was built by LaMarcus Adna Thompson, considered the father of the "gravity pleasure ride" now called a roller coaster. After building the Switchback Railway at Coney Island in 1884, he built over 50 coasters including this one.
Orient Express (1998-1999) was a Wisdom ride. It moved to Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Wild Mouse (1958-1976) was a unique ride built in-house.

Giant Dipper

Hurricane
Sea Serpent