Expert: Ernest Tufft - 6/29/2009

Question
Hi i am a local from placerville, ca. and i have traveled to many exhilerating theme parks including: Six Flags:discover kingdom, disneyland, universal studios, and well. thats about it.) and i was wondering if u knew of any other places that contain extraordinary rides worth traveling to? (in northern california of course)
thank you-

Answer
Hi Tito,

Try going to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (they have a website under this name).  The old wooden roller coaster remains the highest of the beachside attractions, and I still consider this a great ride because 1) it loops to feel like one is going over the water, and 2) the old wooden framework and cars provide an authentic jittery feeling like the whole thing is going to collapse.  There are also many other rides, and one of the best computer arcades in the world.  While not a large as the theme parks you mention, combined with the beach, pier, and downtown restaurants/shopping, the Beach Boardwalk at Santa Cruz wiil easily keep a family busy for a weekend of fun.  Check it out on a hot summer day when the beach is hot and many humans are laying on the beach, and sea lions are lounging under the pier.