Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Accessibility score 0.9/5

Address: Santa Cruz, CA

Phone: (183) 961-0142

About

Santa Cruz sits on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, 75 miles south of San Francisco, where the Santa Cruz Mountains meet the Pacific. It's one of California's most distinctive beach towns - equal parts surfer hangout, university town (UC Santa Cruz perches in the redwood hills above), and nostalgic seaside resort built around one of the last classic boardwalk amusement parks in the country.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the anchor of the city's identity. The wooden boardwalk runs along the sand beside a traditional amusement park with the classic Giant Dipper roller coaster (a 1924 National Historic Landmark), carousel, thrill rides, and carnival games. It's free to enter the boardwalk area - rides require tickets or wristbands. The setting, with the Pacific literally at the edge of the fairway, is hard to beat.

Santa Cruz Main Beach itself is broad and sandy, with a long stretch ideal for a beach day. An accessible wooden ramp on the right side of the boardwalk extends out onto the sand. Beach wheelchairs are available from the lifeguard tower at Cowell's Beach during summer (June through August, daily 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM, first-come first-served). Other beach wheelchair programs serve Santa Cruz Harbor Beach and Capitola City Beach.

Natural Bridges State Beach, a mile up the coast, is another strong option. The path to the beloved Monarch Grove butterfly sanctuary (active November through January) follows a gently graded accessible boardwalk. A beach wheelchair is available at the Visitor Center.

Beyond the beach, Santa Cruz has a lively downtown with independently owned restaurants, shops, and the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. The city's proximity to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park makes it easy to combine ocean and forest in a single day trip.

Accessibility

Santa Cruz has invested in beach accessibility and the boardwalk area offers specific wheelchair support.

Beach wheelchairs: Free beach wheelchair loans are available at multiple locations: - Santa Cruz Main Beach / Cowell's Beach: Available daily June-August, Tower 1, 11:30 AM-5:00 PM. First-come, first-served. - Capitola City Beach: Call (831) 462-3125 for information. - Santa Cruz Harbor Beach (at The Kind Grind): Call (831) 476-9136. - Other county beaches: Reserve via the county beach wheelchair program.

Beach access: An accessible wooden ramp on the right side of the boardwalk extends out onto Main Beach sand. This provides a pathway from the paved boardwalk to the beach area.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (rides/amusement park): Wheelchairs are available for guests on a first-come, first-served basis from the Guest Services Office (near the Haunted Castle ride) or the Season Pass Office at the main entrance. A $250 credit card hold is required. The boardwalk walkway is paved and accessible. Individual ride accessibility varies - some rides have alternate access via exits, while others require negotiating stairs. Review the park's accessibility guide (available at beachboardwalk.com) for specific ride details.

Natural Bridges State Beach: The path to the Monarch Grove butterfly sanctuary follows a gently graded accessible boardwalk. Beach wheelchair available at the Visitor Center.

Downtown Santa Cruz: The main downtown area is mostly flat and accessible with curb cuts throughout. The weekly Santa Cruz Farmers Market is accessible.

For current accessibility information, visit beachboardwalk.com/accessibility or contact the City of Santa Cruz Parks at (831) 420-5270.

More accessible places in California

More accessible destinations in California