As a local in Santa Cruz, I visit the Boardwalk regularly. Not only are the rides a value, you also get history when you ride the carasol, the Big Dipper or play videos. And don't forget the Coconut Grove for Sunday brunch. Marini's gives you the best sea-salt taffy and if you're lucky, you can watch it being pulled.
But the best of the best is sticking around until the evening when most of the day trippers from Silicon Valley go home. That's when the people watching gets interesting. There are more locals around.
PS- Either Mon or Tues nights after 5pm it's 50 cent rides. Check out the prices for sure.
Pros: inexpensive, easy to get to, variety
Cons: lots of fried food
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