The Simple 5 Step System To Buying Tickets At Santa Cruz Boardwalk

by Karol on June 10, 2011

Today was a drive day with a detour. As a result, this might be the shortest update I ever write here. Actually, don’t count on that. :)

I got to Santa Cruz’s Beach Boardwalk at 10:50am and put 4 quarters in the parking meter thinking “there is no way this will take longer than 40 minutes.” Sometimes I run, sometimes I hide, sometimes I’m scared of you … how’d Britney get in my head? What I meant was sometimes I’m wrong.

I got in line to buy my 5 tickets ($1 each, Giant Dipper costs 5 tickets) and waited. And waited. And waited. It’s not that it was a long line. I was actually third in the queue. But the large family up front (large in collective girth not number of members) forgot how to use words and currency. I learned that stuff when I was like 7, but hey, not everybody’s a quick learner.

In case you need a refresher …

How To Buy Anything, But Especially Tickets At The Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Step 1) Walk up to the ticket counter and say “I’d like [X number] tickets please.”

Step 2) Listen to your total price. Let’s call that $Y.

Step 3) Remove $Y from your wallet and hand it to the friendly cashier.

Step 4) Receive tickets.

Step 5) Party!

After waiting 20 minutes (no exaggeration) to buy my 5 tickets I headed to Giant Dipper, which has been in operation since 1924. This is now officially the oldest coaster I have had the pleasure to ride.

My friend Sean said the Giant Dipper is his favorite coaster. While I won’t go that far, it was a fun ride. I won’t spoil the surprise if you’ve never been on it, but the beginning is the best.

I didn’t have much time to enjoy the boardwalk since I had to take lots of photos and head back to my car before the meter expired. I got there at exactly 11:32am, 2 minutes late! No parking ticket, of course, but 42 minutes is much longer than I expected this would take.

My drive to Santa Clarita, CA took far longer than I would have liked. 8 hours to drive 300 miles. Also, California roads are on par with Michigan’s as far as potholes and general disrepair is concerned. I blame the tectonic plates since I don’t believe anybody dumps millions of pounds of salt on these streets in the Winter.

Tomorrow it’s Six Flags Magic Mountain, which has a 11 coasters + 2 corkscrews on my list. That’s insane! I hope I can work my charm and get front of line passes, otherwise it’s going to be a loooonnnggg day.