When you think of working at the Boardwalk, what comes to mind?
Maybe it’s local teenagers serving ice cream on a sunny afternoon. Maybe it’s the neighborhood kid operating a ride, carefully sending Guests soaring into the sky. Or perhaps, it’s a familiar scene from your own past, a first job wiping down tables covered in French fries and ketchup after a busy beachside rush.
Those moments are part of the Boardwalk story. But they’re only part of it.
What many people don’t see are the hundreds of Team Members working behind the scenes—quietly, consistently—helping create the unforgettable experience our Guests enjoy every day. Whether it’s at the Boardwalk, Inns of Santa Cruz, Boardwalk Bowl, or aboard Chardonnay Sailing Charters, these teams play a critical role in bringing the magic to life.
Our Administrative teams span from Accounting, Human Resources, Technical Services, Marketing, Cash Control, and more! While their daily workspaces might not include roller coaster control panels or soft-serve machines, their impact is felt in every smile, every laugh, and every memory made along our coastline.
Of course, it’s also true that a large portion of our workforce is made up of students, many still balancing high school or college schedules. That’s what makes Spring Break, which stretches through much of April, such a unique and exciting time….and a bit of a scheduling puzzle.
So what happens when our Operations teams need extra hands?
Something pretty special.
During Spring Break, our Administrative teams trade in their desks for the front lines. Donning the iconic teal polo shirt and stepping into roles across the park—operating rides, serving food, selling wristbands, and running games. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort that helps ensure every Guest’s visit is just as special as imagined.
And it doesn’t just fill staffing needs, it creates connection.
Junior Leon, an Accounting Team Member shared, “As the Paymaster, my world is usually numbers, spreadsheets, and deadlines, but on a ride shift, everything changes. What I love most is the energy. You see it the moment Guests walk up: the wide eyes of a kid about to ride for the first time, the nervous laughter before the drop, the pure joy on their faces when it’s over and they want to go again. That excitement is contagious. It reminds me why all those hours behind a desk matter, because at the end of the day, we’re all here to create memories.”
This long-standing tradition at Santa Cruz Seaside Company is one that Team Members genuinely look forward to. It’s a chance to experience the energy of the Boardwalk in a completely different way, interact directly with Guests, and walk away with stories that stick, moments of laughter, gratitude, and pride in a job well done.
Director of Chardonnay Sailing Operations, Sophia Brock shared, “One of the things I enjoyed the most about working a rides shift during Spring Break was the opportunity to experience the park’s day to day operations first hand. It was a great way to immerse myself in a different side of the operation, support the team during a busy time, and build connections with Team Members I don’t typically get to work with directly.”
So next time you’re visiting during Spring Break, take a closer look, you might spot a few familiar faces in unexpected places.
A Marketing Director serving up chicken tenders.
A Human Resources Coordinator helping families get their wristbands.
A Security Captain offering tips on how to knock down those tricky milk bottles.
And if you’re lucky? You might even catch President & CEO Karl Rice working at the legendary Giant Dipper.
To our incredible Administrative Team Members: thank you. Your willingness to jump in, support your colleagues, and create meaningful experiences for our Guests does not go unnoticed. The lifelong memories that you help create leave a lasting impact and make the Boardwalk the special place it is for so many.
