Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Plunge
Neptune’s Kingdom
Today, the Plunge building houses Neptune’s Kingdom Amusement Center which sports a pirate-themed miniature golf course as the centerpiece of a modern entertainment complex. The two-story course, with talking pirates, booming cannons, and a rumbling volcano is the only miniature golf course in Santa Cruz County.
Upstairs a Historium showcases Boardwalk history with a display of photographs that capture major highlights of past eras. A game deck offers pool, air hockey, ping-pong, video games, and a snack bar.
The Water Carnival
Thirty thousand people witnessed the Plunge Water Carnival performances each summer. This was the home of the world record-holding Underwater Natators (human submarines), flying trapeze artists, fire divers, Stratosphere Plungers, water ballets, and Slide for Life daredevils.
Photo captions, center, top to bottom:
In the 1920s and 30s crowds were enthralled by Duke Kahanamoku’s aquatic prowess. He proclaimed that the Plunge was his favorite pool; Don “Bosco” Patterson with young Water Carnival performers in 1938; These beaming stars are Beverly Graham and Ditty Thomas; Shirley Wightman performs the difficult one-arm catch. Water Carnival clowns (left). The Plunge in 1907 (top, right).
Erected by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 36° 57.855′ N, 122° 1.157′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker can be reached from Beach Street. This marker is located at the Beach Street entrance to Neptune's Kingdom. There is a duplicate marker located at the beach side entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (within shouting distance of this marker); The Santa Cruz Seaside Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Before the Boardwalk (within shouting distance of this marker); A Love Story (within shouting distance of this marker); Daredevils (within shouting distance of this marker); A History of Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cocoanut Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauty and the Beach (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.
More about this marker. This marker is located on the grounds of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,437 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on November 17, 2015. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.