From music, beer, art and wine festivals to an array of entertainment at the Beach Boardwalk, ambitious productions on local stages and annual traditions like the Wharf to Wharf race, summer options are virtually endless in Santa Cruz County (and beyond).
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Motion Pacific dance studio struggles to find new home
Motion Pacific will have to be out of its Front Street studio space — its home since 2011 — by Sept. 30. The building’s owner is Santa Cruz Seaside Co., the parent company of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Seaside spokesperson Kris Reyes said, “Our plan is to use the space to support Boardwalk operations.”
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Happy Birthday, baby: Santa Cruz’s enduring symbol, the Giant Dipper, hits the century mark
Santa Cruz’s most identifiable icon will celebrate its 100th birthday Saturday with a ceremony and fireworks, and ahead of the milestone, Wallace Baine not only talked to some of those who know and love the Giant Dipper best, he also got a close-up look that few who haven’t worked at the Beach Boardwalk have experienced.
Posted inFood & Drink
Boardwalk celebrates Giant Dipper centennial with custom craft beer by Discretion Brewing
In honor of the Giant Dipper roller coaster’s 100th birthday, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk teamed up with Discretion Brewing in Soquel to brew a commemorative beer. Giant Dipper Golden Ale will be released May 18 and will be available through the summer.
Posted inFood & Drink
After Boardwalk lease shock, Hot Dog on a Stick’s Allison Twisselman talks reaction, next moves
News broke this week that the Santa Cruz Seaside Company would not renew Twisselman Enterprises’ lease for Hot Dog on a Stick or its three other food booths. The local, family-run business had been a tenant at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for 90 years. Fourth-generation Allison Twisselman says the outpouring of community support from former employees and customers is “bittersweet.”
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Very much a shock’: Twisselman Enterprises booted from Boardwalk after 90 years in business
After 90 years in business, Twisselman Enterprises is ending its operations at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk after its lease was unexpectedly not renewed by the Santa Cruz Seaside Company. Twisselman Enterprises operated four concession stands serving food, including the iconic Hot Dog On A Stick, which opened in 1934.
Posted inCoast Life
Boardwalk could have a new Ferris wheel soon, pending planning commission approval
The Chance Wheel is expected to replace the spinning Rock & Roll ride and give the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk its first Ferris wheel since 2017, when the previous 60-year-old wheel was retired following routine winter maintenance. A vote is expected Aug. 17 after being delayed Thursday.
Posted inCity Life
Halloween, Taylor Swift and Vivaldi by candlelight? Cocoanut Grove has you covered
Hundreds of onstage candles will light the way for a series of concerts beginning in October at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove, with a string quartet taking on spooky movie classics, the ever-growing catalog of Taylor Swift and classical standby “The Four Seasons.”
Posted inCoast Life
Boardwalk’s summer music and movie slate heavy on party faves and crowd-pleasers
Kicking off in mid-June, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s free summer entertainment offerings feature bands on the Colonnade stage on Thursday nights and movies on the beach on Fridays.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Inside the world of the Boardwalk’s global student workers
For more than 20 years, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has supplemented its local summer workforce with students from around the world. This year, more than 300 are finishing their jobs pulling ride switches and scooping up pingpong balls before returning to Armenia, Malaysia, Spain and beyond. What’s the experience like … and what do they think of Santa Cruz?
