SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - With summertime just around the corner, two new rides have been installed at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, providing more options for the over two million visitors that experience the seaside amusement park each year. Happening concurrent to the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster’s 100th birthday on May 17, 2024, the Dream Wheel and Surge are ready to welcome riders.

Dream Wheel, a 65-foot modern take on a classic Ferris wheel features 15 colorful gondolas which seat four adults or six children.  This mellow, family-friendly ride provides stunning views of the Monterey Bay, Downtown Santa Cruz, and the boardwalk itself. 

Surge is a classic thrill ride with a unique spin:  seating up to 24 riders, this new attraction employs over-the-shoulder restraints to lock riders in as they are spun swiftly in a circle and tilted while being raised off the ground, providing 360 degrees of excitement.

Both rides are scheduled to debut by Memorial Day Weekend in the U.S., May 25 - 27, 2024. 

These new rides will feature at the same boardwalk where the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, built in 1924 will celebrate its centennial birthday.

The boardwalk - built in 1907 as "the Coney Island of the West Coast" is recognized as the best seaside park in the world and is home to two National Historic Landmarks – the 1911 Looff Carousel and 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster. The entire property is also a State Historic Landmark.

### 

Getting There:  

Located along the Central Coast, Santa Cruz County, California, is approximately 70 miles/113 km south of San Francisco and 349 miles/562 km from Los Angeles. Many visitors choose to take scenic Highway 1 along the California coastline to Santa Cruz or Highway 17 through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Visitors can also choose to fly into San Francisco International Airport or San Jose Mineta International Airport.  

Press Contact: 

Christina Glynn, Director of Communications 

Visit Santa Cruz County  

Phone:  +1.831.429.7281 ext. 112. 

Email:  cglynn@santacruz.org. 

Mail:  303 Water Street, #100, Santa Cruz, CA  95060 

About VSCC: A private, non-profit corporation, Visit Santa Cruz County (VSCC) exists to enhance tourism and the economy by positioning Santa Cruz County as a visitor, conference, and film destination. For more information, contact VSCC at +1.831.425.1234 or visit VSCC’s website at SantaCruz.org.