The Santa Cruz beach boardwalk is one of oldest beachfront amusement parks in California and was originally built in 1907. The popular attractions besides the beach, are 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the 1911 Loff Carousel. There are lots of other rides too. I would recommend the Giant Dipper roller coaster ride, Hurricane roller coaster ride, Sky Ride and Virtual ride simulator. I have been on all these rides and enjoyed them. I would recommend going to the beach before 10 AM to avoid the crowds.
Besides the rides, there are indoor attractions - Neptune's Kingdom, Sector 7, Casino Fun Center and Surf Bowl for bowling. I enjoyed playing the two-story miniature golf course in Neptune's Kingdom. Casino Fun Center has more than 100 video games. The only one I enjoyed was shooting against objects with a rifle. Sector 7 has laser tag game for those who like high-energy hide-and-seek. Also alongside the entire boardwalk, there are game booths. I played some hoops and shooting games and won a small stuffed animal.
However, the one that I enjoyed the most is the walk on the beach. I went there at 10 AM and there weren’t that many people. Around noon, there were lots of sun worshippers on the beach. I saw a mom and 3 or 4 year old kid playing in the water, lots of kids trying to get into the water, few kids learning to surf on their new surf boards, some building sand castles, a mom and daughter sleeping on the beach, two elderly women with about 6 teen girls who just arrived on the beach and lots of people walking on the waters edge.
I also could see small fishing boats near the Santa Cruz wharf. On the wharf, there are several good seafood restaurants and this is where they hold art, food and wine festivals.