Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk History And Background Quiz

1. The only other original oceanfront Giant Dipper roller coaster still operating on the West Coast is at San Diego's Belmont Park. Which one is older?

Santa Cruz's

San Diego's

The Santa Cruz Dipper dates to 1924. San Diego’s opened in 1925

Explanation

The Santa Cruz Dipper dates to 1924. San Diego’s opened in 1925

2. The building that now houses the Neptune's Kingdom entertainment center and miniature golf course was originally what?

A bowling alley

An aquarium

An indoor pool

A roller-skating rink

An indoor saltwater swimming pool. However, at one time the Boardwalk did have a bowling alley, an aquarium and a rolling rink at various locations.

Explanation

An indoor saltwater swimming pool. However, at one time the Boardwalk did have a bowling alley, an aquarium and a rolling rink at various locations.

3. Laffing Sal, a robotic fun house character, has called the Boardwalk home for several years. This particular Sal came from an amusement park in what city?

Santa Monica

San Francisco

Atlantic City

Chicago

Sal came from San Francisco’s Playland-at-the-Beach.

Explanation

Sal came from San Francisco’s Playland-at-the-Beach.

4. Which Olympic champ wowed the crowds at the Boardwalk with his aquatic prowess?

Michael Phelps

Duke Kahanamoku

Mark Spitz

Greg Louganis

The native Hawaiian was the father of modern surfing and a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. He put on swimming exhibitions at the Boardwalk’s Plunge in 1920 and 1938.

Explanation

The native Hawaiian was the father of modern surfing and a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. He put on swimming exhibitions at the Boardwalk’s Plunge in 1920 and 1938.

5. The Wild Mouse sent riders flying from 1958 to 1975. Which ride is now at that location?

Logger's Revenge

Hurricane

Haunted Castle

Fireball

Logger's Revenge

Explanation

Logger's Revenge

6. How many flavors of saltwater taffy does Marini's sell?

10

13

15

19

Marini’s sells 19 flavors: banana, butter toffee, cappuccino, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, licorice, molasses, peanut butter, peppermint, piña colada, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and watermelon, plus four new sour flavors, sour blueberry, sour cherry, sour pineapple and sour watermelon. Marini’s, by the way, celebrated its centennial at the Boardwalk in 2015.

Explanation

Marini’s sells 19 flavors: banana, butter toffee, cappuccino, cherry, chocolate, cinnamon, licorice, molasses, peanut butter, peppermint, piña colada, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and watermelon, plus four new sour flavors, sour blueberry, sour cherry, sour pineapple and sour watermelon. Marini’s, by the way, celebrated its centennial at the Boardwalk in 2015.

7. Which of the following animals is NOT represented on the Looff Carousel?

Lion

Ostrich

Zebra

Giraffe

All of the above

Sorry, it was a trick question. It’s an all-horse carousel: There are 73 handcarved steeds.

Explanation

Sorry, it was a trick question. It’s an all-horse carousel: There are 73 handcarved steeds.

8. What is the Giant Dipper's fastest speed?

35 mph

45 mph

55 mph

65 mph

45 mph

Explanation

45 mph

9. The largest Boardwalk crowd ever was recorded at the 25th annual clam chowder cook-off in 2007.

True

False

The largest crowd ever reported was for a 1974 Fourth of July fireworks exhibition, which drew an estimated 50,000. Other big crowds include the 36,000 who attended the 1951 Miss California pageant.

Explanation

The largest crowd ever reported was for a 1974 Fourth of July fireworks exhibition, which drew an estimated 50,000. Other big crowds include the 36,000 who attended the 1951 Miss California pageant.

10. The arches of the Cocoanut Grove building borrow from the architectural style of what prominent building?

India’s Taj Mahal

Virginia’s Monticello

Paris’ Louvre

Spain’s Alhambra

The Moorish style of the Alhambra in Spain.

Explanation

The Moorish style of the Alhambra in Spain.