Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz Wharf
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  • NYCIrish1944
    Granby, Connecticut729 contributions
    Entertainment @ the Municipal Wharf
    We had just finished our trip north on PCH ! (Pacific Coast Highway) from San Diego We had selected Santa Cruz as a stop to see several points of interest. The Municipal Wharf was one of those points of interest. We had a fish dinner at one of the beautiful restaurants (great views from the table) on the Wharf. During our dinner, we had heard loud bangs that sounded to be near us . We finally asked our server what was the cause of the banging noises. She told us that it was the Sea Lions that like to rest in the beams of the Wharf. She told us a good place to see them and we were off. It was amazing entertainment. As you can see from the photos, the Sea Lions like to nap on the beams of the Wharf. There is open competition for a position on one of the beams. The size of the Sea Lions seemed to be the major factor. There was a waiting line in the water. We enjoyed the Sea Lion show. A totally unexpected source of entertainment and I have the photos to prove it !!
    Visited April 2019
    Written March 20, 2020
  • Ward D
    Satellite Beach, Florida2,684 contributions
    Great place. An aquarium for free (or the cost of parking).
    We arrived before they started to charge for parking on the wharf. This is one of the wharfs that allow you to drive on the wharf and have shops and parking spaces along its length. The pier has several shops and restaurants closer to the middle and end of it. At the very end there are several large (about 10 ft square ) holes that allow people to look down at the seals that rest on the beams below the pier. There are a lot of them. While we were there we also saw a school of dolphins in the distance. Definitely recommend coming to support the shops or see the sea life
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 26, 2020
  • 832vgs
    New Delhi, India1,423 contributions
    Tourist's Treat
    Santa Cruz Wharf in California is well known for fishing, boat tours, dining, gift shops and a beautiful long pier. We visited on a sunny day with family including kids. We walked on the pier, visited the gift shops to buy some souvenirs and had lunch at the Firefish Grill comprising sea food, chicken and salad with Beer. We all then walked to the end of the Pier where we could hear and see the Sea Lions as well as the sail boats. The wharf is located close to the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk; where one can spend a day enjoying the thrill rides. The over 100 years old Wharf is a must visit for tourist to the city.
    Visited June 2021
    Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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swfarid
Dubai, United Arab Emirates71 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
I visited Santa Cruz so many times, I wonder how did I miss the wharf.

They do have lot of parking on the wharf itself ($3/hr).
Nice place for a nice walk. lovely view of Santa Cruz. Take some pictures at sunset
Lots of good seafood restaurants with good views

I did like the beer garden, high quality craft beers from Bumble Sea local brewery
Written June 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pinnipedia
Boston, MA193 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Solo
I parked on the wharf, shopped around and ate breakfast food for lunch at Gilda's Family Restaurant.
I came for the sea lions and saw so many of them. Both in the water and resting. I loved seeing them porpoise, swimming, sleeping, etc. I came at high tide.
Saw several harbor seals too.
If it had been sunny that day, it would have been better, but I still had a good day with the seals and sea lions.
Written May 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Life traveller
North East England, UK3,804 contributions
Aug. 2022
Enjoyed strolling down the windy Wharf, catching some good views of Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk, including when the fog obscured both! Interesting posters of the Wharf history, and lots of sea lions resting on the girders, supplied some general interest, and there was a selection of restaurants to choose from. Apparently this is the longest warf in the US. Interesting in itself. If you visit Santa Cruz, I would say a 'must do'. Well, why not?!
Written November 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaurieB980
Portland, OR619 contributions
Sep. 2022
From the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, we could easily walk over to the Wharf which is signed as the longest in the US, I believe. It WAS pretty long and along the way, they had several areas where the sea lions were sleeping or moving about on the beams just below where we were on the upper areas. They were LOUD and rather funny to watch as they seemed to be perched so precariously on the beams and over each other! The views back toward the Boardwalk from the Wharf were also pretty amazing as you could see just how long the entire Boardwalk was. Plus the small boats out in the water made for some really nice photos!
Written October 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vegas-Queen666
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK377 contributions
Mar. 2022
This is a great place to take a walk and grab some food and drinks. Very pretty and photogenic. Would look great any time of year.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Solami
Boston, MA28 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Family
Totally enjoyed the wharf. We went there every day we were in Santa Cruz. Lots of sea lions, people fishing, seeing kelp and sardines in the water. Nice view of the boardwalk at night.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arun K
Nagpur District, India2,933 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Couples
Santa Cruz , a coast of Central California with a long wharf well equipped with eateries & shops. Lot of sea lions roaring below the board all the time.
Awesome sand beach with facilities for volleyball, sun basking , water gliding etc.
The beautiful beach boardwalk includes 1911 Giant Dipper Roller Coaster & Looff Carousel . Old Casino avenue includes video games for children. They fun & scary rides are centre of attraction. The long rope way is really a fun.
Nice place for week end hangout with stores, restaurants, cafés & galleries.
Must place for San Francisco visitors .
Written July 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RSM123123
Plano, TX807 contributions
May 2022
Must Visit! Walk and hear the famous sea lions bark, gift shops, see the crowd, food with many dining places, fantastic place to visit. Made of 2000 70 ft. Douglas fir pilings driven 21 feet into the ocean, almost 3,000 feet long. Then hit the boardwalk.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa E
Boggstown, IN12 contributions
Mar. 2022
Plenty of places to eat and shop for great souvenirs. There are tons of sea lions swimming by the pier and there are areas to see them sleeping and playing. Great views of the Boardwalk, beach and bay area!
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christine P
Highland Park, IL8 contributions
Mar. 2022
Its a great place to walk to the end of, take in the sights, and hear the sea lions. We didn't go to any of the restaurants but they looked pretty good. Lots of shops selling clothes and knick knacks.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SANTA CRUZ WHARF - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Wharf

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