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Santa Cruz, California

uilt in 1907, the Santa due to the Depression and World
Cruz Beach Boardwalk was War II, but the Cocoanut Grove
Bconstructed to connect the ballroom was in its prime, featuring
bathhouses and resort hotels going dancing with some of the biggest
up along this popular stretch of names of the big band era. The
beach near the mouth of the San Boardwalk and Cocoanut Grove
Lorenzo River. Soon, concession continue to thrive as major Califor-
stands sprang up including restau- nia destinations. The park offers
rants, curio shops, and photo stands. more than 30 rides, four arcades with
Construction began on the both vintage machines and hundreds
Boardwalk’s first thrill ride, the L.A. of modern video games, a game deck,
Thompson Scenic Railway, which 26 games of skill, 30 food vendors,
opened in 1908, later to be replaced an electronic shooting gallery, indoor
by a more “modern” wooden roller miniature golf, and over 15 gift shops
coaster. The Giant Dipper coaster with everything from beachwear to
opened in 1924 and soon became the sunglasses and jewelry. The
park’s most popular ride. In 1911, renowned European woodcarver Cocoanut Grove complex hosts a variety of events: trade shows, confer-
Charles I.D. Looff delivered a new merry-go-round with three rows of ences, dances, parties, conventions, banquets, and wedding receptions.
hand-carved horses. The carousel is still operating today, accompanied Today, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in
by its original 342-pipe Ruth band organ, built in 1894. Both the Looff California and one of the last seaside amusement parks on the west
Carousel and Giant Dipper coaster are today National Historic coast. Guests can take walking tours, and learn more about the
Landmarks. Marini’s Candies is another oldie but goodie along this his- Boardwalk’s history on the second floor of Neptune’s Kingdom, a
toric Boardwalk, selling their salt water taffy there since 1928. You’ll building that once housed an indoor salt-water swimming pool. This
still see their candy makers at work in the windows! free exhibit includes photographs and memorabilia from the
During the 1930s and 1940s, business at the Boardwalk tapered off Boardwalk’s first 100 years.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

he original Virginia Beach boardwalk was first built in 1888 and Life-Saving Station that commemorates the birth of the U.S. Coast
covered only four blocks, connecting the Princess Anne Hotel, Guard.
Tone of the country’s most luxurious resorts at the time, with In the 1990s, the Boardwalk underwent a $100 million facelift
other resort hotels going up along the Town’s coastline. Each hotel was which included more parking around the Boardwalk for easier access,
afforded access to the Boardwalk thoroughfare by way of a wood plank fluted fixtures to light up the promenade after dusk, colorful pavers to
walkway, which allowed hotel guests to join visitors and socialites in replace the brushed concrete, and hundreds of strategically placed teak
leisurely strolls to take in the majestic beach beauty before them. benches along its route.
With its electric lights, bathhouse verandas, and grand ballroom, the The Ocean City Music Pier, a unique entertainment auditorium
magnificent Princess Anne Hotel soon drew the attention of Virginia’s opened in 1928, provides a home for shows and concerts throughout
social elite, putting the town on the tourist map; however, in 1907, the year, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, a children’s amusement ride
tragedy struck when the boardwalk succumbed to a fire that began in center opened in 1929, remains a Boardwalk staple, welcoming new
and destroyed the famed hotel. In families and guests to the Ocean City
1926, residents and visitors were Boardwalk experience.
delighted at the construction of a new, Today, the Boardwalk, named one
three-and-a-half mile long concrete of the Top 10 U.S. Boardwalks by
boardwalk, which became the center of National Geographic, is lined with
Virginia Beach as a seaside resort. hotels and restaurants, and is home to
Along the boardwalk, there’s hundreds of activities from festivals,
a variety of quaint outdoor restaurants live entertainment, and concerts to out-
and vendors offering bike and door art showcases and sports competi-
surrey rentals. There is also history to tions. No matter what time
experience, from the bronze statue of year, Virginia Beach consistently
“The Norwegian Lady” and her story of buzzes with life, history, and boardwalk
tragedy at sea to the 1895 deWitt culture, thanks to the selfless efforts of
Cottage – the oldest beach house along the Beach’s historical society and
the city’s oceanfront, and the 1903 Boardwalk patrons.

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