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.”
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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?
Posted inUncategorized
The sounds of Boardwalk summer: What music plays all day and who decides?
Yes, the tunes at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are automated — but carefully thought out. The rules are clear: nothing with suggestive, violent or potentially offensive lyrics, nothing outside the mood and tempo of “Fun, Fun, Fun.” And the music maestro is Kevin Grewohl, the DJ — uh, audio systems supervisor — of it all.
Posted inCity Life
The Boardwalk’s free summer music and movies return in a new format — is that good or bad?
Live music post-pandemic will feature local acts at the smaller Colonnade Stage on Thursday nights. Free movies on the beach will now be on Fridays, including “The Lost Boys,” which will be screened Halloween weekend.
Posted inCoast Life
‘No Snapchat filter’ can do this: Our resident caricature artist walks you through life at the Boardwalk
Lookout’s Laurel Bushman wasn’t sure how her return to drawing random humans along Main Beach would go. Now she knows — and at least there are relationships and learning lessons that she will take with her on her journey into the writing world.
Posted inPandemic Life
The Giant Dipper rides again, with Santa Cruz County’s health officer in the first car
Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel was aboard the first ride of the Giant Dipper in 2021 — the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s nod to her work amid the pandemic. The amusement park opened Thursday at 25% capacity.