Santa Cruz Wharf

Get all the details and facts about the 2024 Incident at the Santa Cruz Wharf.

December 23, 2024, the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, where the Dolphin Restaurant and Restroom #3 were located, collapsed into the ocean along with three construction workers. This section of the Wharf as closed to the public following damage in 2023 and construction had began to repair it. Two workers were rescued by Santa Cruz Lifeguard Unit 3166, and the third was self-rescued.

Available daily from June – August at Tower 1 on Cowells Beach from 10AM - 5PM. First come First served.

• Beach Wheelchair Program

Get all the latest updates on construction projects happening on the Santa Cruz Wharf!

Please call the Parks and Recreation Administration office for reservation and event permit information at 831-420-5270.

All Car Shows require a permit under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 10.65.050

Brief Outline

1. Car shows are “public gatherings” and fall under this section. Santa Cruz Municipal Code 10.65.050
2. Car Shows on the Santa Cruz Wharf are operating on public property, or within a city park, or other city-owned open space.
3. Car Shows that last for more than an hour on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
4. Car Shows on the Santa Cruz Wharf obstruct, delay or interfere with the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Shows are restricted from May - September do to increase demand for parking and utilizing Wharf Businesses.

Visit the Santa Cruz Fire Department Marine Safety Division webpage for lifeguard hours, ocean safety tips, and current water quality.

Plan your trip to the Santa Cruz Wharf by checking out the hourly and season. Rates include a 7 minute grace period.

Current Summer Rate Start
(April 4, 2025 - October 3, 2025)

• $1/ 20 minutes for the first 4 hours
• $24 Daily Max

A public boat landing is located on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk side of the Wharf across from Santa Cruz Boat Rentals. Operational Season is open April - October, please call 831-420-5725 to confirm it is open.

Only Service Dogs are allowed on the Wharf. (S.C.M.C 8.14.200)

Check out the following videos for some unique looks at the Santa Cruz Wharf! Visit our Surf Cam, Tides & Weather page for more!

Attention Vessel Owners: Anchoring within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is not prohibited if you maintain a proper anchor watch (one crew member aboard the vessel at all times) [Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 922.132 (a)(9)]. We recommend and ask that you always moor or anchor on the east side of the Wharf (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk side). Vessels must remain 200ft from the Wharf at all times.

• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce Superintendent's notice(PDF, 285KB)

Safety Information: List and locations of where to find flotation devices in an emergency(PDF, 173KB).