My family made a trip up to Oakland in either '65 or '66 to visit my Dad's best friend's family. We all had a ball. On one of those trips we went to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and all I could remember was going into the big building. They had this big slide for us kids and my mind went blank on those slides. It was like a piece of me was captured and never left Santa Cruz. I lived there for four years during my late 40s and early 50s, but for some reason, a piece of me is still there and that Boardwalk had something to do with it.
Wow. So you’ve never been to Santa Cruz? Pajaro river is in Watsonville anyone from Santa Cruz would NEVER confuse the San Lorenzo river for a river 20 miles away. 😂 nice try.
I always wanted to ride those swinging cages but they were gone by the time I was big enough. I did come back as a ride operator in the 70's and I worked the ferris wheel. By myself; I didn't have a ticket taker helping. You had to hold on to the chair in case it slipped when people were getting off, you didn't want them thrown onto their faces, and it did happen. I loved the gas powered cars, you got to run and jump on the moving cars to throw on the brake and pull back on the gas. I also drove the cave train. Last year I rode the Giant Dipper roller coaster (for the last time, ouch). And, I threw 3 rings in a row into the clown's mouth on the merry go round! That was also a nice ride to work on, if you didn't mind the constant music. I also miss the fireworks on the 4th of July.
i really miss the 1960s with my family. once a month we would go to the san francisco zoo then go to the exploritorium in golden gate park, and visit fishermans wharf. those were the good old days. and at least once or twice a year we would go to santa cruz beach boardwalk, it was a little further away. 🏖 🎡 🎠 🪁
Nobody getting shot, nobody getting robbed. I bet they also parked their cars with the windows rolled down too. I was a small kid in elementary school in the early 60s and remember these times well.
Back in the sixties a few friends and myself would hitch hike to Santa Cruz , with sleeping bags and a sack of canned food. We would sleep at National bridges park , body surf for two days. Go into Santa Cruz and the boardwalk. Waking early being in the morning ocean water.
At the 3:16 mark you can see in the 60's how much more beautiful the historic Charles Looff carousel was. It had the nice mirrored panels on the inside of the riding platform that hid the center pole and motor. Also the riding platform was a nice wood vaneer finish instead of the ugly greenish/blue finish it has currently!!! 👍🎠
My family made a trip up to Oakland in either '65 or '66 to visit my Dad's best friend's family. We all had a ball. On one of those trips we went to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and all I could remember was going into the big building. They had this big slide for us kids and my mind went blank on those slides. It was like a piece of me was captured and never left Santa Cruz. I lived there for four years during my late 40s and early 50s, but for some reason, a piece of me is still there and that Boardwalk had something to do with it.
I will forever be grateful this video exists
Lived on E.Cliff drive across the Pajaro River from boardwalk...1960...was a retirement community 'till UC came in '69...what memories. thanks.
Wow. So you’ve never been to Santa Cruz? Pajaro river is in Watsonville anyone from Santa Cruz would NEVER confuse the San Lorenzo river for a river 20 miles away. 😂 nice try.
Thanks for uploading! It's great seeing the things that aren't at the Boardwalk anymore.
Thanks! I also like seeing the things that still are there!
I always wanted to ride those swinging cages but they were gone by the time I was big enough. I did come back as a ride operator in the 70's and I worked the ferris wheel. By myself; I didn't have a ticket taker helping. You had to hold on to the chair in case it slipped when people were getting off, you didn't want them thrown onto their faces, and it did happen. I loved the gas powered cars, you got to run and jump on the moving cars to throw on the brake and pull back on the gas. I also drove the cave train. Last year I rode the Giant Dipper roller coaster (for the last time, ouch). And, I threw 3 rings in a row into the clown's mouth on the merry go round! That was also a nice ride to work on, if you didn't mind the constant music. I also miss the fireworks on the 4th of July.
Lots of great memories of the boardwalk. Thank you so much for sharing!
i really miss the 1960s with my family. once a month we would go to the san francisco zoo then go to the exploritorium in golden gate park, and visit fishermans wharf. those were the good old days. and at least once or twice a year we would go to santa cruz beach boardwalk, it was a little further away. 🏖 🎡 🎠 🪁
Nobody getting shot, nobody getting robbed. I bet they also parked their cars with the windows rolled down too. I was a small kid in elementary school in the early 60s and remember these times well.
A simpler time indeed!
U see how clean it was.
Back in the sixties a few friends and myself would hitch hike to Santa Cruz , with sleeping bags and a sack of canned food. We would sleep at National bridges park , body surf for two days. Go into Santa Cruz and the boardwalk. Waking early being in the morning ocean water.
Sounds like a great time. Thanks for watching!
At the 3:16 mark you can see in the 60's how much more beautiful the historic Charles Looff carousel was. It had the nice mirrored panels on the inside of the riding platform that hid the center pole and motor. Also the riding platform was a nice wood vaneer finish instead of the ugly greenish/blue finish it has currently!!! 👍🎠
The equipment (rides) didn’t malfunction back in those days
And it didn’t cost a family of four 1/2 a week’s pay.