The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is just two miles downhill from the mission. The Boardwalk hosts California’s best-known and best-loved roller coaster, the Giant Dipper. Get your ya-ya’s out as you whoosh down the coaster before heading to the beach. For a “curiouser” experience, try The Mystery Spot where a tour of the gravitational anomalies is pure infotainment — campy, schticky and punny — that you will either love or gag at.