Love the seafood, but why aren't you dog friendly. Carmel and Carmel Valley have it all over Santa Cruz Whart (not dog friendly)
Love the seafood, but why aren't you dog friendly. Carmel and Carmel Valley have it all over Santa Cruz Whart (not dog friendly)

I love the wharf. There are so many great delicious places to eat at there. Like every single restaurant on the wharf is super yummy. You can't really go wrong with anything you order or anywhere u choose to go. =)

Santa Cruz is a seaside city and is well-known. Perhaps the wharf is less well known as a destination. It is the old wharf (rebuilt at least 4 times) that was for fishing vessells. It is wide enough for a two-lane road, parking places, shops and restaurants. It is a great place to eat or to get souvenirs or classy items of jewelry or art. From the wharf, it is also possible to view sea life through a large square viewing hole (fenced) at the end. Sea lions come up on the planks that support the wharf and dry off and take naps! Seagulls panhandle for food bits, and on a sunny day you can see the other side of Monterrey Bay, where the city of Carmel shines in the sun. (That's where Clint Eastwood was mayor for a while.) Especially try the clam chowder at Stagnaros', a restaurant near the end of the wharf. It is famous! And ask for their sour dough bread with it! If you're really hungry, try a bread bowl of chowder. Another good seafood place is called Fire Fish. I didn't eat there, but my niece, who is a "local" loves that place.
There is a small fee for parking on the wharf. You get a ticket when you drive onto the wharf from a real person in a booth. As you exit the wharf, they levy the reasonable fee.

This Wharf was by far my personal favorite. You could see the seaside amusement park, sea lions, pelicans, watch the sunset. The attractions are incredible and I would highly recommend walking down at the sunset. It was magical.

I like the ocean as a back drop to eating dinner and the restaraunts, shops and bars on the wharf all offer the sights of the Santa Cruz bay and coastline while enjoying yourself.

In my minds eye, if you look warf up in a dictionary you will see a picture of the Santa Cruz warf. A fun walk and my recommendation for lunch on the warf is Stagnaro Bros. By far, the most traditional, with old school prices, in fact I have no idea how they keep prices so low in these times. Any time you go in for lunch or dinner, it's full with locals. That says it all. Take time on the warf for the seals and surfers, so fun, so relaxing. Happy travels, trip advisor friends.
