About

Construction Updates

Learn more about Significant Wharf Construction here.

Driftwood Removal Information

Driftwood Removal Rules

  • You may take what you can carry
  • Do not operate heavy equipment to remove wood (i.e. tractors, backhoes, etc.)
  • Do not use manual or mechanical tools (i.e. saws, chainsaws, stump grinder, etc.)
  • Do not drive vehicles on the beaches; this includes trailers, ATV's, etc.
  • Be aware of sharp & foreign objects

Event & Car Show Information

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

Locations to reserve include the Cowell and Main Beach, Wharf Commons, Wharf Stage, Wharf Agora, Wharf Bocce Court.

Brief Outline of Details

  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.

Features of the Wharf

The Santa Cruz Wharf Brochure(PDF, 1MB) has a complete list of shops, restaurants, and recreational activities on the Santa Cruz Wharf.

Featured Slideshow

Enjoy our slideshow(PDF, 23MB) covering all things Santa Cruz Wharf!

History of the Santa Cruz Wharf

Composed of over 2000 70 ft. Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean floor, the wharf was 2,745 feet long.The wharf was actually the sixth wharf -- preceding it were the Cowell Wharf, the Gharky (yes, this is the correct spelling!) Wharf, the Railroad Wharf, the Connecting Wharf, and the Pleasure Pier. None of the existing wharves could serve deep-water ships. So, the current Municipal Wharf was constructed in 1914, with its end bent to the west for a steamship dock and freight warehouse. The wharf rail line was shifted to the Municipal Wharf, and the old Railroad Wharf became part of a sardine cannery before being demolished in 1922.

Hours of Operation

The Wharf is open to the public everyday from 5:00AM - 2:00AM

Wharf Headquarters Hour of Operations are 5:00AM - 10:30PM everyday

Santa Cruz Wharf Master Plan

Access all information regarding the Wharf Master Plan.

Wharf Parking Information

Get all the Wharf Parking details!

Wharf Layout

Wharf layout map