The Boardwalk turns 100!!!

[Crazy Larry]

Just wanted to wish the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk a happy 100th birthday!

The Giant Dipper was the first big coaster I went on as a kid, plus the giant arcade and the shooting gallery. Oh, and the cave train of course.


Here's a link to an article about it on CNN.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/getaw....ap/index.html

And a link to the official site.

http://www.beachboardwalk.com/

Again, Happy Birthday Santa Cruz!

[Crazy Larry]

I stopped by Santa Cruz and took a few picture of the Boardwalk.





The Giant Dipper entrance.





The Haunted Castle.




The south end of the Boardwalk.






And of course the Cave Train Adventure.






And the standard choke and puke rides.





But the main reason I came to the boardwalk was to ride the world famous Giant Dipper.






Outside the Main entrance are two plaques commemorating the ride.

The first one is from the American Coaster Enthusiasts.





The second plaque designates the coaster as a National Historic Landmark.





After walking up the ramp you arrive at the top looking out over the station area.














Of course, seeing the excited glee of everyone as they return to the station adds to the anticipation.







I will always remember the first drop into the darkness.







A few toots of the whistle and down into the tunnel we gooooooooo!!!


If you want to ride it, here's a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIpgTVM-aVg


Just another day at the beach.

[PirateMunkee]

Originally Posted by Crazy Larry

The Haunted Castle.

So funny. I used to work this ride. I loved it working inside with all the loud Phantom of the Opera and Nightmare before Christmas music. I loved busting all the kids (And adults) smoking pot, trying to cause mischief, and trying to create children. Funny how I go from this to the Haunted Mansion

[GhostHost2]

This place looks 100 times better than Paradise Pier. I don't really like the idea of an area themed to an amusment park in a Disney park, but if we got a ride like the Haunted Castle and an actual wooden roller coaster, I would do a lot less complaining.

[PinBrian]

I have not been to SC in years, thanks for the pics! One of my favorite things at the entire place is the copy of a newspaper article in line for the Giant Dipper that was printed when the waste of wood Grizzly opened at Great America. Even when the Grizzly was BRAND NEW the ride was known as a stinker, especially when compared to the awesome Dipper.