Wharf Parking Information
Current Summer Rate: $1/ 20 minutes; $24 Daily Max
2025 Locals Wharf Parking Pass
The Locals Parking Pass Program helps promote and increase patronage of Wharf businesses by local residents. The program is available to residents of the City and County of Santa Cruz and provides for 2 hours of free parking on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Purchase at Wharf Gate!
Locals Wharf Parking Pass Valid Everyday during the off season!
Off Season Everyday
- Dec 1st, 2024 - May 23, 2025
- Sept 2, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025
Summer Season
- Memorial Day - Labor Day
- Locals Pass not valid on weekends or holidays during this time
- May 24th, 2025 - Sept 1, 2025
Cost
- $20.00 for City Residents
- $25.00 for outside the City Limits
Purchase at Wharf Gate!
The pass is transferable and can be carried in your wallet or kept in your vehicle. Present the pass to the Attendant when exiting the wharf.
Replacement fee for lost Locals Pass is $5.00
If you have any questions or concerns with this program please call 420-5381.
Blink EV Charging Station
Boat Rates
Parking Rates when Renting a Boat at Santa Cruz Boat Rentals
Rates include a 7 minute grace time
| Time |
Rate |
| 0-30 Minutes |
Free |
| 30-60 Minutes |
$1.00 |
| up to 2 hours |
$2.00 |
| up to 3 hours |
$3.00 |
| up to 4 hours |
$4.00 |
| up to 5 hours |
$5.00 |
| up to 6 hours |
$6.00 |
| up to 7 hours |
$7.00 |
| up to 8 hours |
$8.00 |
| up to 9 hours |
$11.00 |
| up to 10 hours |
$14.00 |
| up to 11 hours |
$17.00 |
| up to 12 hours |
$20.00 |
| up to 13 hours |
$21.00 |
| Daily Maximum |
$21.00 |
Car Event Information
All Car Shows require a permit under Santa Cruz Municipal Code 10.65.050
Brief Outline
- Car shows are “public gatherings” and fall under this section. Santa Cruz Municipal Code 10.65.050
- Car Shows on the Santa Cruz Wharf are operating on public property, or within a city park, or other city-owned open space.
- Car Shows that last for more than an hour on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
- 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.
Please call the Parks and Recreation Administration office for reservation and event permit information at 831-420-5270.
Holiday Rates
Discounted Parking Rates and Free Parking Days. Holiday rates apply for the week previous to Christmas Day.
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day are free parking days.
| Time |
Rate |
| up to 1 hour |
Free |
| up to 2 hours |
$1.00 |
| up to 3 hours |
$2.00 |
| up to 4 hours |
$3.00 |
| up to 5 hours |
$5.00 |
| up to 6 hours |
$7.00 |
| up to 8 hours |
$11.00 |
| Daily Maximum |
$12.00 |
Rates & Schedules
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
(April 4, 2025 - October 3, 2025)
$1/ 20 minutes
$24 Daily Max
Winter Daily Rate
(Saturday, October 6, 2024 - Friday, April 4, 2025)
$1.00 per hour, for the first 4 hours then $2.00 per hour
$12.00 Daily Max
Local Tuesday Promo
2 hours of free parking with a stamp validation from any Wharf Business, year round!
Roundabout Information
Following is a diagram of the roundabout at the intersection of Front Street and Ocean Street.
Not sure how to drive in a roundabout? No problem! Learn how to use a roundabout.