California, Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz
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Less than a year after fire destroyed the original Casino and Plunge, construction began on new buildings to include an indoor natatorium. The original ceiling arches can be seen today. The main pool measured 144 feet by 64 feet and featured a 40-foot slide. It was one of the largest heated, salt water swimming pools on the West coast. The pool’s two tanks, with a combined capacity of 408,000 gallons, were replenished daily from the Pacific Ocean. The chilly water was heated from a breathtaking fifty degrees to a comfortable eighty-three degrees.
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.
(Environment • Sports) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Less than a year after fire destroyed the original Casino and Plunge, construction began on new buildings to include an indoor natatorium. The original ceiling arches can be seen today. The main pool measured 144 feet by 64 feet and featured a 40-foot slide. It was one of the largest heated, salt water swimming pools on the West coast. The pool’s two tanks, with a combined capacity of 408,000 gallons, were replenished daily from the Pacific Ocean. The chilly water was heated from a breathtaking fifty degrees to a comfortable eighty-three degrees.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.
(Environment • Sports) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
