Dbfan Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Well, bare with me, this wont be the best TR, its the first one I have done. So today I had about 3 hours of free time in the San Francisco area, and I decided to head on down to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. (It was on the way back to the hotel) I only spent about an hour and a half here, so not much rides. The boardwalk is well, interesting. It is far different from what I have experienced in most midwest parks. Its just a different atmospehere. The first ride I rode was Hurricane, this ride looked small, but wow was it good. It was somewhat smooth, had some airtime, and had one part that I really enjoyed where it went down and twisted very steep, then immediatly went back up. I really liked this ride, and it was definatly worth the $5. Next we headed towards Double Shot. Not much to say about this, just your average launch tower, but this one has a great view of the coast of of the ocean. I got to sit on the outside and it was a great ride. After Double Shot, I headed down towards the Haunted Castle. I had seen the post I believe Shaggy posted about it. From the outside, the ride looks pretty good, but it has terrible capacity. Since the cars stop sometimes and go slow during the ride, they have 7-8 cars running, and only load one at a time. Then the cars hold 4 people, but most went with 2 or less. The cars themselves were very cool. they were two rows, with a very cool bat at the front with light up eyes and lamps that flashed. It was like headlights as you went through the ride. The ride itself was okay, I think that the animatronics were good, but they were badly timed and sometime it would set them up and you knew exactly what was coming. this ride was a long wait and not worth the time. Next I headed over to the Giant Dipper. Wow. This ride, built in 1924, still has that classic feel to it. The start of the ride surprised me, as I thought the short tunnel went straight to the lift hill, instead, you curve around in pitch black before hitting the hill. The restraints barely hold you down, and it was a great ride. I immediatly went for another ride. After that last ride, I went to have one last ride on Logger's revenge. This log flume had a very well themed station with lots of props. (fake saws and ropes and hammers on the wall) It was your typical go up the hill, curve around, and drop flume. The difference with this one is that you get a view of nice houses on one side, a beach and the ocen on the other, and a pier and an amusment park on the third. It really adds to the ride. This was all I had time for, and I left the park after that. Ride Count: Hurricane:1 Giant Dipper: 2 Double Shot: 1 Logger's Revenge: 1 Haunted castle: 1 All in all, it was a good time and I probably should have spent a little more time there. The Cave Train ride looked fun, and so did some of the smaller rides and the mini putt course. I Probably won't be back for a while, but all in all a good trip. ~Dbfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 I often tell those headed to Northern California that the can't miss park there is SCBB. The atmosphere is incredible, the park is a joy....and I adore the Giant Dipper... Thanks for your trip report! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephatron Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Excellent trip report. Santa Cruz has been my home park for a very long time, so I'm glad you enjoyed it, especially the Giant Dipper, which is one of my top 5 roller coasters. And Terpy got it spot on, the atmosphere is awesome. Did you get a chance to walk from the arcade down towards the park? They have a figure called Laughing Sal that used to be at Playland at the Beach for a long time, and I believe that Laughing Sal is either as old or a bit younger than the Giant Dipper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI FANATIC 37 Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Greta TR! I haven't heard about this park glad to here about your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahank Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Nice trip report! I wish I had gotten the opportunity to go to Santa Cruz when I was in San Francisco a few weeks ago, and now I see that I missed out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dbfan Posted June 21, 2010 Author Share Posted June 21, 2010 Did you get a chance to walk from the arcade down towards the park? They have a figure called Laughing Sal that used to be at Playland at the Beach for a long time, and I believe that Laughing Sal is either as old or a bit younger than the Giant Dipper! I did get to see that when I first walked in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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