Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has been a family favorite for many years. The park is right on the beach. You can have the best of both worlds with its location. They even have sand rinse off showers ( wonderfull when you have kids and don't want to take home half the beach with you). We have purchased season tickets for many years. It has an old fasion amusment park feel that is unmatched by any other park I have been to. They have many fun rides but none of your spectacular thrill rides. (Go to Great America for that). There is no addmision fee to the park and you can buy tickets just to ride 1 or 2 rides if thats all you want.
Pros: Right on the beach, No addmission fee, pay for only what you want
Cons: Tends to be really crowded on summer weekends
more