The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Cruz, California . Founded in 1907, it is California 's oldest surviving amusement park and one of the few seaside parks on the West Coast of the United States . The Boardwalk extends along the coast of the Monterey Bay , from just east of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River . There are old-fashioned carnival games and snack booths throughout the 24-acre (9.7 ha) park. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a classic seaside amusement park. Overlooking Main Beach in Santa Cruz, the boardwalk was built in 1907 as the “Coney Island of the West Coast” and features two national historic landmarks: the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster and the Looff Carousel. These classics join over 40 rides and amusements at this landmark attraction. ...