Santa Cruz Wharf

[1] The original purpose of building the wharf was for shipping potatoes to San Francisco for mining camps in the Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush.

[1] After the opening of the South Pacific Coast Railroad and the improvement of land routes through the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Wharf's primary focus changed to be the base of the north Monterey Bay fishing industry.

On October 4, 2014, the community celebrated 100 years of the Santa Cruz Wharf with a festival including a pop-up museum exhibit, historic photo stand, bocce courts, face painting, Mavericks surfboard display, photo booth, Economic Development's Wharf Master Plan model and the Surfing Preservation Society's surf shack.

[citation needed] The City was unable to secure state or federal grant money with the case in litigation, leading to further delays in improving and strengthening the wharf.

[citation needed] High surf in December 2023 damaged the wharf, forcing the temporary closure of the entire structure and leading to the demolition of a restaurant at its end.

Visitors flock to the wharf for a variety of restaurants, gift shops, wine tasting, candy stores, and just to stroll and peer down at the sea lions below.