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California (CA)
Santa Cruz
Things to Do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Wharf

Santa Cruz Wharf: Address, Phone Number, Santa Cruz Wharf Reviews: 4/5

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Santa Cruz Wharf

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Santa Cruz Wharf
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#9 of 83 things to do in Santa Cruz
Piers & Boardwalks
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Top ways to experience Santa Cruz Wharf and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
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374 within 3 miles
Jack O'Neill Restaurant & Lounge
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Riva Fish House
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Sawasdee By The Sea
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Firefish Grill
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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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
1,332 reviews
Excellent
562
Very good
526
Average
200
Poor
30
Terrible
15
832vgs
New Delhi, India1,336 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.
Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Martin Carroll
Winchester, VA642 contributions
Noise 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 !
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NYCIrish1944
Granby, CT729 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 !!
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ward D
Satellite Beach, FL2,340 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
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Arun K
Nagpur District, India2,895 contributions
Tourist Treat !
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.
John M
Santa Cruz, CA4,368 contributions
Always 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.
Written January 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark S
30 contributions
Visit 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!
Written September 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RSM123123
Plano, TX772 contributions
Must 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.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine P
Highland Park, IL8 contributions
Touristy but fun
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.
Sachin K
Plainview, NY5,842 contributions
Awesome
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Wharf
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