The wharf at night from the Main Beach side The wharf from afar

History

Located between Santa Cruz Main Beach and Cowell's Beach, the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf wasn't the only wharf in the area when it was built in 1914, but the city really needed a new one, and it was built after a $172,000 bond measure was passed. Any structure that goes out to the sea is a pier. The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is called a "wharf" due to an error written in the bond measure. A Wharf goes parallel along the water. The piers in Capitola and Monterey are also mis-named as wharf instead of pier.

In 1982, an effort was made to change the name to "Fisherman's Wharf." Two members of the Santa Cruz City Council objected because they believed the name "Fisherman" was sexist.

Community

The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is possibly the longest Pier along the California coast that allows car traffic. There are no parking meters on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Drivers pay a fee to drive onto the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.

Events

• Woodies on the Wharf (June)
• Wharf to Wharf Race (July)

Services

• Lifeguard Headquarters

Businesses

Food & Drink

• Carniglia's
• The Dolphin
• Gilbert's Firefish Grill
• Gilda's
• Ideal Bar and Grill
• Marini's
• Miramar Fish Grotto
• Olitas Cantina and Grille
• Paradise Dogs
• Riva Fish House
• Stagnaro's Restaurant
• Vino Prima Wine Bar
• Woodies Cafe

Recreation

• Original Stagnaro's Fishing Trips & Bay Cruises
• Santa Cruz Boat Rentals
• Venture Quest

Shopping

• Bonnie's
• Buccaneer Gifts
• Made in Santa Cruz
• Noland's on the Wharf
• Octopus' Garden
• Ports of Call
• Santa Cruz Bay Company

Related Links

• Capitola Wharf
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
• Recreation
• Beaches & Surf Spots
• Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Glossary (see Wharf)

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