Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events for the City of Santa Cruz Wharf. The scenic Santa Cruz wharf is the perfect setting for enjoying events while taking in the ocean view. Learn to surf, sail, kayak and more! Register now for City Parks and Recreation programs.
Current Events and Highlights
Locals Day on the Wharf - lunch and dinner specials plus savings on parking every Tuesday on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Critters and Creatures
There is a wide variety of Critters and Creatures in the Monterey Bay. Check out this video by Michael Harris of a Humpback Whale off of Santa Cruz.
California Sea Lions (video), Zalophus californianus.
Sea lions often come to mind when the word "seal" pops up. They are by far the most abundant pinnepeds in the region. Actually, seals and sea lions are in different taxonomic families.
What we are most likely to encounter around the Wharf are California sea lions and harbor seals. The sea lions have--among other things--much larger front flippers, external ear flaps, and separate/rotating rear flippers that allow them to walk and climb out of water. They have more agile squirming bodies than harbor seals. Seals have no ear flaps, have shorter flippers, and look less flexible.
The result is that the sea lions can climb up rocks and leap onto Wharf crossbeams, while the harbor seals wriggle their way out on gentle slopes and low lying rocks, like those in the San Lorenzo River.
Shopping and Dining
The Santa Cruz Wharf offers the best in seaside shopping, dining, and recreation. You'll find everything from handmade arts & crafts to beach apparel; outdoor fresh fish markets to fine dining; whale watching and fishing trips to kayaking.
Interactive Wharf Panoramas
Click on images below to see 360º panoramas.
Note: These Panoramas are about 370 KB each and could take a couple of minutes to download on a dial-up modem.
