When you think of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, images of sunlit beaches and cheerful laughter might come to mind. Established in 1907, this iconic site is a testament to California’s vibrant beach culture. But beyond its jovial façade lies a haunting history riddled with ghostly apparitions and paranormal activity.
TikTok user jalyn_rich recently reignited the Boardwalk’s eerie legends. In a chilling video, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk paranormal activity is portrayed under the moonlight, long after the roller coasters have stilled and the laughter has faded. What’s eerie? A lone ride operates mysteriously after hours. As the video zooms in, a faint silhouette is discerned, momentarily visible before it vanishes into the night. Could this be one of the Boardwalk’s many ghostly apparitions?
@jalyn_rich i swear ive watched this over and over and still dont know how to explain it… #spooky #ghost #bostdwalk #santacruz #haunted #fyp ♬ Creepy and simple horror background music(1070744) – howlingindicator
The history of the Giant Dipper roller coaster, a nostalgic centerpiece of the Boardwalk, only deepens the enigma. Operational since 1924, this ride holds a morbid record: four fatalities. The first, a tragic incident in September 1924, involved 16-year-old Walter Fernald Bryne. His spectral imprint, along with those of the subsequent victims, is believed to haunt the ride, often making nocturnal appearances.
These accounts don’t just end with fleeting visions. Both staff and visitors have felt tangible signs of paranormal activity. Some recount feeling ghostly tugs or taps, an unseen presence seemingly trying to make contact. Close by, the vicinity around Pizza One echoes with its own tales — the legend of the “Barefoot Ghost.” Here, after sunset, uncanny footprints manifest across freshly cleaned floors.
But the most chilling tales emanate from the depths beneath the Boardwalk. A maze of private tunnels crisscrosses beneath the amusement park. In these dimly lit corridors, whispers of a young boy’s ghostly figure, perhaps Walter himself, are rampant. Witnesses claim to see him dash through the shadows, only to evaporate into the void.
So, is the Santa Cruz Boardwalk a hub for ghostly apparitions and paranormal activity? Jalyn_Rich’s footage might just be a glimpse into this enigmatic world, further blurring the lines between the known and the unknown.
