Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz Wharf
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340 within 3 miles
Attractions
104 within 6 miles
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- NYCIrish1944Granby, Connecticut729 contributionsEntertainment @ the Municipal WharfWe 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 2019Written March 20, 2020
- Ward DSatellite Beach, Florida2,684 contributionsGreat 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 lifeVisited February 2020Written February 26, 2020
- 832vgsNew Delhi, India1,423 contributionsTourist's TreatSanta 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 2021Written June 26, 2021
- Martin CarrollWinchester, Virginia669 contributionsNoise in the rafters !!My wife and I were coming north on PCH 1 from San Diego. Our friends who had previously made this trip highly recommended that we stop in Santa Cruz to have dinner on the Santa Cruz Wharf. So off we went to have dinner on the Wharf. I was surprised by the size of the wharf. It was very large. They have car shows on the wharf. There are 4-5 restaurants on the Wharf. They are all very good or they would not be there. It is just a matter of finding a menu that you prefer. Of course, we went with seafood ! As we were having our dinner, we heard various noises like banging. As we were talking to our waitress, we asked what the noise was. She said that it was the sea lions. We were totally surprised. She told us a spot where you could look down into the support rafters of the Wharf and actually see the sea lions. Very Cool !! They created lots of noise. Our friend had not mentioned the Sea Lions. I added some photos for the sea lions. There was one large size sea Lion that none of the others bothered. He must have ben the King !! Enjoy each day !Visited November 2020Written October 9, 2021
- John MSanta Cruz, California4,376 contributionsAlways something to see on the wharf.There is always something to see on the wharf. You pay to park, but the first half hour (?) is free. We stayed a fairly long time and only paid one dollar. There is something special about being out on the water, and you can have something to eat, and watch the surfers and sea lions, too.Visited January 2021Written January 18, 2021
- Arun KNagpur District, India2,933 contributionsTourist Treat !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 .Visited July 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten July 24, 2022
- Mark S30 contributionsVisit the Warf!Visited the Warf last week while in Santa Cruz. Most shops and restaurants were open. Sea lions were cool to see. Food reasonably priced, and service staff exceptional. The views can't be beat!Visited September 2020Written September 28, 2020
- RSM123123Plano, Texas807 contributionsMust Visit When in Santa Cruz!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.Visited May 2022Written May 12, 2022
- Christine PHighland Park, Illinois8 contributionsTouristy but funIts 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.Visited March 2022Written March 26, 2022
- Sachin KNew York City, New York5,856 contributionsAwesomeSanta Cruz Wharf is a nice place to stroll around especially during evening. It has some nice shops and restaurants. Certainly worth visiting.Visited February 2019Traveled with familyWritten December 5, 2019
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,337 reviews
Excellent
566
Very good
527
Average
199
Poor
30
Terrible
15
NYCIrish1944
Granby, CT729 contributions
Apr 2019
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 !!
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 !!
Written March 20, 2020
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.
Ward D
Satellite Beach, FL2,684 contributions
Feb 2020
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
Written February 26, 2020
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.
832vgs
New Delhi, India1,423 contributions
Jun 2021
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.
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.
Martin Carroll
Winchester, VA669 contributions
Nov 2020
My wife and I were coming north on PCH 1 from San Diego. Our friends who had previously made this trip highly recommended that we stop in Santa Cruz to have dinner on the Santa Cruz Wharf. So off we went to have dinner on the Wharf.
I was surprised by the size of the wharf. It was very large. They have car shows on the wharf. There are 4-5 restaurants on the Wharf. They are all very good or they would not be there. It is just a matter of finding a menu that you prefer. Of course, we went with seafood !
As we were having our dinner, we heard various noises like banging. As we were talking to our waitress, we asked what the noise was. She said that it was the sea lions. We were totally surprised. She told us a spot where you could look down into the support rafters of the Wharf and actually see the sea lions. Very Cool !! They created lots of noise. Our friend had not mentioned the Sea Lions.
I added some photos for the sea lions. There was one large size sea Lion that none of the others bothered. He must have ben the King !!
Enjoy each day !
I was surprised by the size of the wharf. It was very large. They have car shows on the wharf. There are 4-5 restaurants on the Wharf. They are all very good or they would not be there. It is just a matter of finding a menu that you prefer. Of course, we went with seafood !
As we were having our dinner, we heard various noises like banging. As we were talking to our waitress, we asked what the noise was. She said that it was the sea lions. We were totally surprised. She told us a spot where you could look down into the support rafters of the Wharf and actually see the sea lions. Very Cool !! They created lots of noise. Our friend had not mentioned the Sea Lions.
I added some photos for the sea lions. There was one large size sea Lion that none of the others bothered. He must have ben the King !!
Enjoy each day !
Written October 9, 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.
John M
Santa Cruz, CA4,376 contributions
Jan 2021
There is always something to see on the wharf. You pay to park, but the first half hour (?) is free. We stayed a fairly long time and only paid one dollar. There is something special about being out on the water, and you can have something to eat, and watch the surfers and sea lions, too.
Written January 18, 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.
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 .
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.
Mark S
30 contributions
Sep 2020
Visited the Warf last week while in Santa Cruz. Most shops and restaurants were open. Sea lions were cool to see. Food reasonably priced, and service staff exceptional. The views can't be beat!
Written September 28, 2020
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.
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.
Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
Feb 2019 • Family
Santa Cruz Wharf is a nice place to stroll around especially during evening. It has some nice shops and restaurants. Certainly worth visiting.
Written December 5, 2019
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.
Jill W
Seattle, WA91 contributions
Which is a good way to get from san jose to santa cruz without renting a car?
LTambor
Santa Cruz, CA12 contributions
There is a bus that’s an express line - goes SJ to Santa Cruz over HWY 17; however, if you rent a car, you could tool around to some of the others towns and beaches (Capitola, Aptos). There is a bike sharing program that’s brand new (Jump Bikes), so if you’re carless, you can cruz around a little on those. Some are regular bikes, some are e-bikes. Hope this helps!
Maureen S
Estero, FL5 contributions
Where is pismo beach?
MsMouseCalifornia
California58 contributions
Just south of San Luis Obisbo (Central Coast) off highway 101. A 3 hour drive south from Santa Cruz Wharf. Pismo Clams are big & famous. Certain times of the year people dig for them and have parties with clam chowder & such on the beach. Great campground in Pismo near the beach. Have fun!
kdanese
Jacksonville, FL
is there parking for a 34 foot rv
nwarners66
131 contributions
This is what I found.
Boardwalk All-Day ParkingMarch 21, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Cars:Â $15Â ($10 on Limited Ride Days)Â
RVs:Â $30
Santa Cruz beachboardwalk site
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Claim your listingSanta Cruz Wharf - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Wharf
- We recommend booking Santa Cruz Wharf tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Santa Cruz Wharf tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Santa Cruz Wharf:
- (0.06 mi) Carousel Beach Inn
- (0.13 mi) Boca del Cielo Inn
- (0.16 mi) Comfort Inn Beach/Boardwalk Area
- (0.14 mi) Coastview Inn
- (0.13 mi) Aqua Breeze Inn
- Restaurants near Santa Cruz Wharf:
- (0.10 mi) Beach Street Cafe
- (0.05 mi) Surf City Grill
- (0.09 mi) Funnel Cakes
- (0.12 mi) El Hermoso Mar
- (0.13 mi) Coaster's Bar and Grill
- Attractions near Santa Cruz Wharf:
- (0.02 mi) Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- (0.07 mi) Boardwalk
- (0.09 mi) Neptune's Kingdom
- (0.09 mi) Herp's Derps
- (0.13 mi) Boardwalk Bowl
Santa Cruz Wharf Information
| Excellent Reviews | 566 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 527 |
| Santa Cruz Wharf Photos | 760 |










































































