The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea [Hardcover]

Santa Cruz Seaside Company (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Warm sand and cool surf. The sweet scent of cotton candy and the thrill of your first roller coaster ride. These are the kinds of memories the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has inspired over its first hundred years as one of America'¬?s oldest and most beloved seaside amusement parks.Colorfully illustrated with archival images of famous attractions, unforgettable performances, and vintage memorabilia, THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK tells the vibrant history behind this premier California tourist destination. Born in 1907 out of beachfront bathhouses and the ashes of Santa Cruz'¬?s first Casino, this "Coney Island of the West" is home to National Historic Landmarks like the enchanting Looff Carousel and the classic Giant Dipper roller coaster, as well as dozens of other rides, games, shops, and venues, including the historic Cocoanut Grove, the award-winning Casino Arcade, and Neptune'¬?s Kingdom. The origins of these Boardwalk treasures are detailed here, along with profiles of famous personalities and loyal concessionaires who have put a friendly face on the Boardwalk for more than a century.A dazzling pageant of Americana, pop culture, and amusement park history in the making, this delightful tribute to the Boardwalk will rekindle recollections of sea breezes and saltwater taffy for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book has stories and pictures that go down as easy as a corn dog and a Coke on a summer day.-San Francisco Chronicle"The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a jewel among American beach resorts. Although dozens of seaside amusement parks have been displaced by condominiums in recent decades, the Santa Cruz walk has somehow managed to preserve its honky-tonk heritage while staying fresh and attractive. This charming, insightful book explores in words and pictures the uncommon history of a singular American success story. It'¬?s a fun and enlightening journey."-James Lilliefors, author of America'¬?s Boardwalks

From the Publisher

* A colorful and sprawling celebration of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk commemorating its 100th anniversary.
* Contains 500 full-color and archival photos, vintage ads, and more, including never-before-published treasures from the Boardwalk's exhaustive archives.
* Attracting three million visitors a year, the Boardwalk is known as the "the Coney Island of the West" and is one of the most popular amusement parks in California. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580088155
• ISBN-13: 978-1580088152
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.7 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,716,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, excellent pictures, April 21, 2007

By 

Scott G (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea (Hardcover)

The pictures make this book! It would have been great if there were a few more pictures of the various rides.. but thats not what this book is about. From 1800s to 2007, it's all in here!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, February 21, 2009

By 

Katherine Masters (Juneau, Ak.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea (Paperback)

This book touched my memory of what was, and added a lot of history for me of what I did not know of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I spent 18 summers growing up in Santa Cruz and this boardwalk played a roll in those summers. My meager money budget was spent on my favorite things - the merry-go-round and its brass rings, ski ball, and the fun house, where one could spend hours on the saucer, walking the barrel, or waves, and on the giant slide. When I would forgo the fun house I would opt for a treat and another merry-go-round ride on one of those beautifully carved horses. Occasionally I would choose the plunge or the sand beach itself and the San Lorenzo River, where I learn to swim, as it flows into the bay. This book covers the different decades of the boardwalks existence very well. I am now 70+ and feel blessed I was able to experience this boardwalk.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, January 7, 2008

By 

Anna M. Orsolini (Santa Cruz California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: A Century by the Sea (Paperback)

Having been born and raised and still living in Santa Cruz, this book brings back so many memories. It is a beautifully illustrated book with so many wonderful colored pictures. A wonderful souvineer book for anyone to have of a very unique place.