Directions & Parking
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is located at:
400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz, California
The Boardwalk is a popular destination on weekends and holidays, so we suggest arriving early to ensure onsite parking.
Directions
Take Highway 17 or scenic Highway 1 to Santa Cruz and follow the street signs to Santa Cruz Beach.
Boardwalk All-Day Parking*
- Summer Weekends & Holidays: $35
- Summer Weekdays (Memorial Day-Labor Day): $25
- Spring & Fall Weekends: $25
- Weekdays: $20
- Limited Ride Days: $15
- Rides Closed: $5
*Subject to change. No overnight parking.
Parking Payment Details
Main Lot:
This lot is automated and open 24 hours a day. Please pay after you park by scanning the QR code on your parking ticket using a smartphone, or at a pay station (near the Main Lot entrance, or on Beach Street at the corner of Cliff Street or Riverside Avenue).
PAYING WITH CASH?
Cash payments can only be made at the Season Pass Office or Guest Services Office between the hours of 9am-5pm. Outside of office hours, parking is cashless.
River, Liebrandt, or Park Place Lot:
Please pay a Parking Lot Attendant at the entrance of the lot.
NOTE:
All parking lots accept cashless payments only including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
Oversized Vehicle Parking Rates*
Parking Lot Hours
Leibrandt & Park Place Lots: Open by 10am Friday-Sunday and holidays. Closing times vary.
Best for Busy Weekends and Holidays
Boardwalk Parking and Shuttle Service
Location: Government Center at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Cost:
Free
2025 Dates:
- May 24, 25, 26
- July 4, 5, 6, 12, 19, 26
- August 30, 31
Schedule: Departs Government Center every 25 minutes starting at 11am. The last return Guest Shuttle of the evening departs from the Boardwalk 40 minutes after the scheduled Boardwalk closing time.
View Hours
More Info: call (831) 423-5590
Parking FAQs
Parking in all Boardwalk Parking Lots is available on a first-come first-served basis in open-air lots along Beach Street. Parking fees are charged at a flat rate per day. There are NO in-and-out parking privileges. Please see our Park Map for parking lot locations.
- Main Lot: Opens at 6am
- River Lot: Opens 2 hours before rides open. Closes 1 hour before closing.
- Leibrandt & Park Place Lots: Opens 2 hours before rides open Saturday-Sunday and holidays. Closing times vary.
- All vehicles must be out of all parking lots by 2:30am. No overnight parking or camping. Vehicles will be towed at owners expense.
Please check Ride hours on our Operating Calendar.
The price of parking cars and motorcycles at the Boardwalk is subject to change and depends on the day of your visit:
Please see list above.
- Spring: Starting with full operation in February until the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend.
- Fall: After Labor Day until full operation ends in October.
- Main Lot: Please pay after you park by scanning the QR code on your parking ticket using a smartphone, or at a Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue).
- River, Liebrandt, and Park Place Lots: Please pay a Parking Lot Attendant at the entrance of the lot.
NOTE: All parking lots accept cashless payments only including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
At the time a Season Pass is redeemed, a coupon sheet is issued with four (4) coupons each for a $5 discount on separate visits. Please note that the coupon sheet is not replaceable if lost or stolen. Coupons can be redeemed during the payment process: either scan when paying by phone or Parking Lot Pay Station or submit when paying a Parking Lot Attendant.
School buses may park for free, but must use the River Lot at the corner of Beach and Third Street. Space is limited and not guaranteed.
On days of full operation, RVs must park in the River Parking Lot (space is limited and not guaranteed). Parking Rates for Oversized Vehicles: $40-$50 weekdays and $50-$70 weekends.
NO; overnight parking is not allowed, except for paid participants registered to attend Overnight Campout events on specific dates.
For vehicles displaying a disabled placard or license plate, there are designated parking spaces in the front rows of our Main Parking Lot. Regular fees apply and availability is not guaranteed. Please see the Accessibility Information flyer for more information.
We do not offer EV chargers for electric vehicles.
Please press the help button at any Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue) or Main Lot Exit (Riverside Avenue, Second Street, or Cliff Street) for assistance.
Unfortunately, we do not provide towing or car unlocking services. Please contact a towing company of your choice or contact your insurance.
For assistance, please press the HELP button at any Parking Lot Pay Station (Main Lot entrance, Beach Street at Cliff Street, or Beach Street at Riverside Avenue) or Main Lot Exit (Riverside Avenue, Second Street, or Cliff Street) or call the Boardwalk at (831) 423-5590.
Upon entering the Main lot, your ticket is timestamped. You have a 15-minute grace period to exit without charge if you leave within 15 minutes of entry.
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