Santa Cruz Wharf Reviews

I needed a mental day off from work, so my husband and I played hooky. Santa Cruz is about two hours from our home but a world away in terms of atmosphere.

We took off mid morning and arrived around noon. We hit the beach with our beach chairs and towels. Even though it's mid summer there weren't large crowds, I think in part because it wasn't a weekend day. The sand was ok. He waded in the water while I did a little rock collecting.

We visited the wharf as part of our day at the beach. We didn't hit the boardwalk as it seemed to kid friendly and I'm not into amusement rides. The wharf was perfect. The scenery was fabulous. I love the beach lifestyle so I could sit and stare into the ocean for hours. He loved watching the sea lions.

We grabbed a great seafood lunch and just chilled.

The day was relaxing yet stimulating and by the end all my cares had vanished.

I could see how this place would be deemed a tourist attraction but I will say it is a cute little area with a lot of shops that you can enjoy an afternoon walking around. Parking is very reasonable just a couple of dollars and there are multiple little shops to look in and many restaurants to choose from.

Great shops and restaurants. Big attraction is the sea lions sleeping and resting on the foundations of the wharf. Big openings at end of wharf allow visiting with the sea lions.

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!

Was a nice walk and a look see. Unfortunately shops were very overpriced particularly for Santa Cruz surfear..

Walked out and did some shopping which is limited but not bad. We also ate lunch and the views were fabulous!

The warf is clean and unpopulated by tourists right now. Nice choice of dining, fun to watch the sea lions.

Kind of a trashy area. Needs updating and better placed to stay in the area! There was not much to do and the shops were trinket junk stores. The beach was not very clean either in this area and a lot of kids running around without supervision. I will not go back.

Here are the tips for Santa Cruz Wharf

1. Sea Lions: don’t miss sea lions playing and resting at left side of the wharf. You will watching them directly above them

2. There are some great coffee places and best souvenirs I found in Santa Cruz

3. There are benches at both side of wharf; sunset is a great time to be there

4. Parking charges is very minimal; I think it was 20 cents per 15 minutes

It’s a good place to spend a couple of hours

We ate dinner at a restaurant on the Wharf called "Splash!" It had a rotating bar that allowed you to have a great view of the Ocean while you ate.

Warfs are not usualy fun for me but this one was agreat place to spend a week-day. Restaurants, souvenir shops. Sea lions lounging and skimishing beneath the warf. The rowdy and loud sea lions add a little extra energy to the already frenetic atmosphere. Go to the warf. You'll be happy about your week day visit.

If you're visiting Santa Cruz and plan on a trip to the Boardwalk you'll go here too. Within walking distance of the amusement park, its a pleasant stroll over the Monterey Bay. See people fishing off the wharf, grab a bite to eat, take a look at the variety of fresh fish for sale at the markets, have an adult beverage, shop for a souvenier. Its all here. You can watch sailboats and see surfers over at Cowell's Beach. If you stay in an area hotel breakfast lunch and dinner are all availible out here. I've been to them all, Riva's has the best quality at the price for lunch or dinner.

Went their on a retro tuesday, got rides for $1.50 each for the family. The rides were great and not to busy considering the deal. In addition it was a great place to people watch. If you have seen the movie lost boys this is the same attraction and you can really relive the 80's.

Average wharf. Places to eat, stores and the like. The view is the real reason to go there. You can look back to the city and see the buildings, the board walk and the beach. Just beautiful

We were advised by the hotel staff about the best sea food restaurants around the wharf.we had the most delicious meal watching the sea lion just below us.lots of seabirds,sealions , restaurant and gift shops along the wharf. one of the longest wharf walk we had although it was both sunny and very windy

The view is nice, but it was very few people in the end of may. Felt like is not the season. Everything was closed at 9 pm.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is surprisingly large and has plenty to discover – from small shops to restaurants to great views of the sea and sea lions. A nice place to walk and enjoy the typical California coastal flair.

This wharf is the first I’ve ever been on. Wonderful shops and restaurants. Loved watching the sea lions. View is spectacular both on and off the wharf. Great attraction adding to an otherwise beautiful resort town.

After being in San Francisco my overriding memory of the wharf is how reasonable the parking charge was! Other than that, it's a place to look as sealions and there's a few touristy restaurants which probably won't win any awards but serve good local seafood.

We were here October 2018, it was a nice warm day, blue skies. Shops, Restaurants, Cafes, dotted about on the pier. People fishing, hoping for that big catch, and port holes alive with Sea Lions, making a lot of noise, as they chill out below. It was nice to take a relaxing stroll, no rush, as we were on vacation. There are plenty of benches dotted around to sit and chill, taking in the ocean views. We enjoyed our visit.

It was a typical visit to a seaside wharf. There was a variety of restaurants. Lots of sea lions under the pier. On a Sunday early evening there were lots of people there fishing. It’s gets cold. Bring a jacket.

We have walked this wharf many times. It appears to be the same, but really it is ever- changing. New shops, restaurants etc. It is not the place I would like to shop unless you are looking for souvenirs from Santa Cruz. Many restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed looking at the seals which is always a good show. It is also fun to watch the fisherman cast off and hope that they get something on their line. I for one love to just watch the ocean!

We loved the wharf!

What a way to spend an evening, taking a wander and seeing the seals perched underneath or otters swimming in the sea.

There are some lovely little gift shops and restaurants and parking is available for a fee ($25 a day) but hourly rates too.

First thing in the morning is a great time to watch the surfers and there are plenty of benches The length of the wharf to sit and relax.

Definitely visit if you’re in the area.

The wharf itself has parking, which is filled with restaurants, gift shops, and snacks.
People come out here to stroll, shop, eat, people watch, fish and to check out the wildlife such as sea lions, pelicans, sea gulls, and if you are lucky; sea otters. The majority of the people fishing were catching mackerel but I saw one guy catch a flounder. Also be sure to bring a jacket, because it can get pretty chilly even in the summer months. As for parking, I would park elsewhere if you don't mind the walk, for example on Bay Street.

Visited in October so it slows down from the summer months, beautiful place on a nice sunny day to walk around and look at the view, lots of neat shops and restaurants around to go to. Great place to just sit on a bench and people watch. Will go back for sure.

Lots of food choices and shops. Good view of bay and boats along wtith surfers. Didn;t seem really busy.

It is a very long boardwalk can you get to see the ocean, the fisherman, sea lions, and there are shops and dining. Parking is not easy in Santa Cruz near the downtown tourist area so be prepared. We walked along the beach and onto the wharf and to the end of it. It was nice to see all of the people activity and watch the sea lions.

Great views and good food. Take the time to stroll along the wharf and enjoy the shopping and excellent t food

Santa Cruz Wharf is well known for fishing, boat tours, dining, gift shops and a beautiful long pier. We visited on a Sunny day and walked along the Pier, visited the gift shops to buy some souvenirs Tees and had lunch at Olitas Mexican Restaurant. At the end of the Pier, we could see and hear the Sea Lions as well as the sail boats. This was our second visit and would love to visit again.

Ive been coming to the SC Beach Boardwalk since i was a child. Its great because theres no admission to just walk around. Theres arcades, laser tag, rollercoasters, a haunted house and al the "fair food" you can eat. Its also fun if you sneak a wee bit of booze with you and have a few sips on the beach (bring a beach blanket and one for warmth, this is Northern Cali after all). Good for the whole family, kids, couples, and everything in between.

Lots of restaurants and gift shops, and you will see plentfamilies strolling and a lot of fishing. This weekend there were a lot of sea lions as well.

Santa Cruz wharf is a nice place to visit and spend some time with family or friends, resturants are good with seafood selections.

We visited the Wharf for dinner. We parked/walked on the pier and had our dinner. The on pier parking is very convenient and the pier offers ocean breezes and great views of the boardwalk and harbor.

The wharf was so beautiful! The shops were all filled with beautiful trinkets and the entire area was cleaner than I remembered. The sea lions are always fun to see and so many birds! I loved it

This is a great place to take a walk and grab some food and drinks. Very pretty and photogenic. Would look great any time of year.

Amazing place to visit & walk up. Drenched in history. & magnificent place to view & photograph Santa Cruz’s Surfers.

Beautiful area, great coastline views, and shopping. Able to find parking to walk along coast and take pictures. Also able to drive to see coastline if you are unable to walk or bike. Plenty of restaurants to chose from.

Santa Cruz Wharf is a nice place to stroll around especially during evening. It has some nice shops and restaurants. Certainly worth visiting.

We were driving from SFO to Monterey. Drove along the coast. Absolutely a beautiful drive. Swung in here just to check it out. Lots of restaurants and shops like any tourist beach town. Watched the surfers and the sea lions. Fun

Longest wooden wharf in USA.
Lots of nice restaurants to choose and at the very end hundreds of noisy sea lions that jump into the water from the lower poles.
Awesome sunset views.

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.

We parked at the Santa Cruz Wharf. We had dinner at a restaurant on the Wharf. The views were beautiful. We paid 4 dollars for one hour parking.

From the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, we could easily walk over to the Wharf which is signed as the longest in the US, I believe. It WAS pretty long and along the way, they had several areas where the sea lions were sleeping or moving about on the beams just below where we were on the upper areas. They were LOUD and rather funny to watch as they seemed to be perched so precariously on the beams and over each other! The views back toward the Boardwalk from the Wharf were also pretty amazing as you could see just how long the entire Boardwalk was. Plus the small boats out in the water made for some really nice photos!

Gorgeous day. Pelicans, Seals, etc. galore. They were all there to feast on the silver fishes we saw in very dense schools. Wonderful stroll.

Plenty of parking, lots of choices for lunch/dinner, no crowds or waiting anywhere.
Wait staff were pleasant and efficient.

Great views of the Pacific and the beach, nice walk along the water extensive. Best on a sunny day. Surf life style.

Since I was at the boardwalk- I decided to walk over to the pier!

Great choice - the sea lions were there and they are so much fun to watch!

The shops are nice - but the restaurants are a bit pricey- but they are on the pier!

Definitely a must do if you are in the area!!

Definitely will be back!!

Thanks! Doc!!

There's a few nice restaurants and shops, and the wharf in general is a nice place to hang out. We enjoyed soaking up the Santa Cruz atmosphere and watching the wild life.

Nice to walk along the warf. Great restaurants with reasonable meals. Lots of stores to pop into. History of the ward cool.

It is great spot that offers a nice overwiew over the bay. There is a parking opportunity (up to 4 hours 1$ per hour) and few restaurants offering local seafood. Kids loved watching sea lions.

We walked the entire wharf to see the options for dinner and to view the sea lions. The sea lions and multiple viewing holes in the pier were very interesting. The best place for us to watch the sea lions was at the end of the pier where about 10 of them were swimming around, playing and making us smile.

The atmosphere was a little rough and didn't feel extremely safe to be out at night

Our visit was during a week night and the stores and restaurants were very interesting empty.

Sunset and looking back towards the shore were very nice.

Good place to park and walk above water

The view of cliff with surfers is worth seeing

Easy access in and out

Several restraurants along water

Recommend this

I drank a fishbowl, ate great food, admired seals and became an expert first time kayaker! We had an amazing time, kayaking was by far the best part, a must do! Don’t miss it!!!

A nice way to spend an afternoon is to visit the Santa Cruz Wharf. Plenty of parking, lots of restaurants to choose from, shops and a candy making store where you can get chocolate covered bacon or Santa Cruz salt water taffy.
You can walk or drive, at the end of the wharf is where the large sea lions congregate and watching them is interesting. You can fish from the wharf in certain areas, get food to go or just hang out and look at the magnificent Pacific.
There are fishing tours you can sign up for also from the wharf.
Parking fee is reasonable and observing marine life is free!

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

Fun to walk out along the pier/wharf and view the lit up boardwalk from a distance. There were a few shops and restaurants with bars.

We ate on the Santa Cruz Wharf while on a vacation visiting my sister. Gorgeous views and wonderful restaurants to choose from. We visit the wharf on every trip here as it continues to bring back childhood memories of when I lived in SC.

We visited in October and had a great time, walked the pier, watched the sea lions and fishermen. Great little restaurants and of course, the oceans right below you! The surrounding beaches and cliffs are astounding and very serene.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is a wonderful destination for travelers and locals alike. It offers some excellent restaurants and shops, as well as boat rides and fishing. It extends from the beach-boardwalk area into the magnificent Monterey Bay. If you don't want to eat or shop, just go for the view.

We love going to Santa Cruz wharf area. We had a great time seeing the sea lions. We loved the views. We went to the candy store.

We walk the 3000 feet all the way out to the end lots of shops and restaurants along the way and bathrooms at the end we enjoyed all the birds the Pelicans the seagulls and the pigeons and the seals hanging out under the wharf entertained us with their barking and they looked like they were hoping we would toss them down some fish

Nice place to relax and bring kids.

There are shops to get local souvenirs, restaurants, candy shop, and great relaxing nature.

Listen to the sounds of the ocean, birds, sea lions, and someone’s spot a whale.

Is so comfortable out here you might just nap on the bench.

We walked here from town and we were happy we found it. Didn't really know anything about SC, but we loved the boardwalk as soon as we saw it.
People fishing, restaurants, shops and lots of seals to watch--or were they sea lions?--I don't know the difference.
It's a great way to spend an afternoon.
All different types and price points for the restaurants and we made sure to stop for some excellent gelato.
Family friendly and a nice easy day. Enjoy it!

We got a good look at all that there was to see on the wharf while we were trying to get a parking space. It's just restaurants and shops. We wanted to eat dinner but had no luck at all finding a parking space- even had one "stolen" from us by another driver. It would have been nice to eat dinner there. I'd highly recommend the city put some parking parameters in place so that spots are given in order to those who have been waiting. At least they didn't charge us when we left.

OK friends, I know it's a ton of gift shops. I got 2 tips for you.

Tip 1: Go early in the morning, you will not pay to park! Shops start opening in the 9 o'clock hour, definitely open by 10.

Tip 2: the Wharf has the best views of the sea lions, you can get great photos and videos of them barking, diving, swimming, and playing in the mornings! We saw dozens of sea lions the June morning we were there, and had the same experience when we were here 14 years ago as well! It's the Hotspot!!

We ventured on the wharf/boardwalk as we followed the unmistakable sounds of sea lions. Great viewing areas of several sea lions. Great to see them in their natural environment instead of a captive theme park.

If you are just wanting a different perspective, this is worth the drive out. Free parking for the first half hour. If you want a great restaurant, you have some choices. Our favorite is Riva's Fish. There are beach shops, candy stores and more along the way. Some great pictures can be taken of the Boardwalk. If you go to the Boardwalk side, sea lions bask on the boat dock. At the end of the wharf are viewing holes where you can also watch them.

This is a must visit when you’re at the Bay Area, drive south to Santa Cruz. We went here last week Sunday and it was also a long weekend for Labor Day. Traffic was much especially when you’re getting near it gets slower. There is a parking area by the boardwalk for $20. It’s nice to go there when it’s summer, for the sun and for you to appreciate it more. There’s enough resto rooms around. Just be alert with your children as they can run around and can hide beside other people especially when it’s too crowded. Just really try to avoid long weekends or holidays for safety too.

Tremendous weather(forecasted temp in my home city today is 110F). Lots of interesting sites and varieties of food. Plenty of places to rest.

This was a charming day trip to this beach town. Weather was gorgeous for a walk on the broad walk . Watching the sea lions was a special treat. There are plenty of eateries here. But do recommend tasting the Ice cream, it was delicious. Downtown Santa Cruz is equally charming. We stopped at Bombay Palace for an awesome lunch. Great trip.

great place and fun to visit! lots of cute little shops, great food places to eat, and so much to see and do!

The wharf is home to a number of excellent restaurants with a price range to suit every pocket. The food was excellent with numerous fresh seafood dishes. Also dotted along the wharf was a selection of shops selling clothes, jewellery, confectionary etc. Towards the far end of the wharf there is an area of pier that has been cut out and made safe with a fence where you can view the seals below

A nice place to park and walk -- talk to some fishermen, see the sea lions lying on the platforms under the wharf, look out to see surfers, the Boardwalk, and the beautiful water. Good restaurants and fun shops!

We walked along the wharf each day we were in Santa Cruz. Beautiful views of the ocean. You can see dolphins, seals and surfers. During the mornings, it was cool, breezy and uncrowded. Fishermen and women had their big fishing poles propped up along the rails on both sides of the wharf. The shops have plenty of Santa Cruz souvenirs, beach items, clothing, jewelry, fudge, candy, lemonade...you name it. Staff in the shops were hit or miss, depending on the time of day. In the middle of the day on Saturday, the wharf was packed. We had gorgeous sunny weather in the low 70s so everyone was out and about. There's a large pack of sea lions who spend lots of time lounging around the wharf, down near the water below. You can hear them barking at each other. They are quite funny to watch as they jockey for prime spots to lounge. We watched them play tag with each other in the water. Seagulls are nesting in a fenced off special "Seagull Nursery" area on the wharf this time of year. Dogs are not allowed on the wharf though we saw a couple of people who smuggled small dogs in their jackets. Others had dogs inside their vehicles on the wharf or hanging out on truck tailgates. The wharf is very wide with paid parking for vehicles. Lifeguard headquarters building is located here, too. Easily accessible by all. Good place to catch breakfast, lunch or dinner -- Gilda's, Dolphin, Stagnaros, Riva Fish, etc.

Restaurants are on the ocean side so makes it a great view while eating. You can go towards the end of the pier and see the sea lions underneath sleeping or swimming.

We enjoyed walking out to the end of the pier. One side has several shops and restaurants. It was fun to watch the sea lions through the openings towards the end of the pier. It was a sunny day so we really enjoyed the stroll and the views!

spectacular family plan!!!! I loved I loved this traditional and very small-town amusement park. To enter you can load a card and the games cost between 6 and 8 dollars each. You can share a single card as a family!

I love the wharf. Great views of the city, sea lions, surfers, and the bay. A lot of the food places are soso but with those views who cares! A drink at Stagneros or Olitas, coffee from Marinis, chowder at th e Dolphin? All good.

So much to do and see here. Easy access. Spent much of 3 days here. Many restaurants to pick from and lots of nice people to assist you.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is full of sights to behold and things to experience. From the great views of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to the wonderful restaurants and fun shops. Dont forget to go visit all the seals at the end of the wharf too. Also be sure to go into Marinis at the end of the wharf to pick up some of their world famous salt water taffy...its a must have!

We love the wharf! We went to Santa Cruz for the Clam Chowder Festival and had a great time. We walked a couple of times on the wharf, enjoying the ocean, and surfers lined up waiting for the next wave. A very relaxing time was had by all!

Great views, loads of sea lions, restraunts and gift shops, what more would you want? Enjoy, we did. Almost guaranteed sunshine too!

You can drive on and or walk to wharf. There are multiple restaurants and several gift shops. There are also fishing charters and kayak tours. It’s clean and the fresh ocean air is delightful. Don’t forget to stop and say hello to sea lions.

Take a stroll up the wharf, and enjoy the sea lions at the top - they were all on the struts asleep when we went, which was great to see. Some nice eateries and shops. We were only there for half an hour so even had free parking!

Nice views on a clear day. At the end look down and you will see tons of sea lions lounging and sunning underneath the wharf.

You can park in mutliple areas of the wharf- and it is cheaper than the other lots!

In Santa Cruz there is a large wooden pier/fishing jetty - Wharf. There are loads of sea lions hanging around there, sunbathing, swimming a bit and making a lot of noise. There is never a moment of peace. One is always bleating to itself and when one swims up and tries to squeeze in, the screaming gets particularly loud.

There are loads of seagulls floating above us, just laying in the wind and hoping that there is some food to be had somewhere. And there are also young birds. They still have very grey-brown plumage.

And pelicans are circling. They look particularly majestic and almost magical. They usually fly in formation. Either in a row or in a V. Looking majestically ahead of them, they float over the sea, directly above the water surface.

The shops were mainly restaurants, of course, and a few souvenir shops with the typical printed clothes. The headquarters building was particularly nice. In its window there was a huge collection of solar figures.

There is also a small entertainment area at the beginning of the pier (Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with a roller coaster, carousel and other restaurants).
The surrounding area is also nice, with small, colorful houses and villas.

It’s a nice boardwalk with souvenir shops and very good restaurants. The end of the pier has a bunch of seals which is cool to see.

Loved my morning walks on the wharf. Nice shops and restaurants. Lot's of great views of the sea life, ocean, cliffs. Lit up at night to show off the whole wharf.

This is an amazing place to visit for great food and a beautiful view of Santa Cruz. Lots of choices of restaurants.

The Santa Cruz Wharf to me was very underwhelming. Not much for shops, ok for a meal I think, a few options and at least our meal was good. Saw the seals. It just seemed worn out and in need of some TLC. This was one of our first stops on our trip to Northern California, and even before seeing the wharfs in Monterey and San Francisco, I wasn’t very impressed with Santa Cruz. And after seeing them later in the trip, I can say I much preferred either of them to Santa Cruz. So if time is limited, I would choose one of them over Santa Cruz. Exception might be if you have kids who are interested in the rides on the nearby Boardwalk, then this area might hold an attraction for you. But that too, I was unimpressed with, as I found it crowded and dirty in just the quick walk through we did. But again, I wasn’t there for rides, maybe if you really love a carnival atmosphere you would enjoy it. Just not for me.

We just happened to be here for Woodies on the Wharf and loved seeing all the old cars! So nice to have this place to eat, shop and see the ocean.

My mom and 12-year-old niece spent the morning walking the wharf before the boardwalk opened. It was so nice. The shops are do cool and have a ton of unique things. Good breakfast there too and they have salt water taffy!!!

SC Wharf is a must-see if you're in town. Go there for a nice long walk out to the end. You'll usually be able to see (an hear) the seals lazing around on the pilings. There are many restaurants on the wharf, mostly all good. I recommend Splash, Rivas, Olitas for lunch/dinner. Gilda's for b-'fast. The Woodies on the Wharf event in June is always fun!

We had a large group of adults and young teens. They loved the rides. Of course, the funnel cake was amazing. Ticket prices are of course a little too much for each ride, but everyone had fun. We all felt safe. and it was fun to walk up and down during the night with all the lights. We got to see a free concert- rock band. Great atmosphere. Give yourself a little extra time to park. Overall, a great experience for couples, young families, and big family reunions. There is something for everyone!

There were only a few shops on the wharf and there wasn’t much to do. It’s a good walk though and a beautiful view. Parking on the wharf is less than the lot near the boardwalk.

The seals would come up onto the support structure of the wharf and we toured the shops to the sunshine and breeze of Santa Cruz. There were many dining options and we actually ate next door to a place that Chris went to last year when traveling on business, and we had to walk through that restaurant to get to the rest room.

We visited the wharf several times and had great experiences all of our visits. It’s very family friendly with great shops and restaurants. Prices at the shops are very reasonable and not inflated for tourists. There are a lot of sea Lions below the wharf that are fun to watch. Beautiful sunset views from the wharf!

after walking from the mission to the lighthouse, but came to see what the wharf was about. Many places to eat and a couple of gift shops..When leaving, saw the seals on the bottom of some stairs..lounging...I felt like they did..so I left

Went down for dinner and ended up spending hours just walking around looking at the different shops, the water, the people, and enjoying the Wharf. Lovely place :)

This is always a fun place to hang out with family and friends, the only thing is that dogs are not allowed...

Had dinner at Olitas and walked around. Had to park offsite after trawling for parking up & down the wharf, but the wharf is always a good time. Surreal in the fog, too.

What incredible people watching!!! From the outfits, shoe selections, hairstyles, couples salsa dancing, and more- fascinating!

Lots of restaurants and souvenir shops. A great place to watch the sea lions.

Worth a stroll for sure. The best place we’ve seen to see sea lions. Up close and personal. They were literally just below and swimming in a group in the water. I had no idea they were so “pet-like” in their behaviors and sounds. I could’ve watched for hours and the way the pier is designed, there are “see-through spots” on one side of the pier, to look down on the sea lions on the supports below, as well as simply peering over the edges to see their frolicking and behaviors. Also if you love seafood, I’d recommend a stop at one of the restaurants. We didn’t stop but they looked amazing.

For a long time I've wanted to see sea lions in the wild, and oh my did I get to see them! They are so funny and were laying all around the wharf platform near the water. The restaurants along the wharf have windows looking out onto the ocean. We ate at one and I was mesmerized by the boats going by and surfers.

This was fun. A little crowded and we probably shouldn't have gone because of Covid but we had a good time. Bought the ride bracelet online to save $10 each but when we added up the rides tshat we actually went on, we could have saved $20 more than the online purchase. Oh well. Lots of "fair food" to choose from. The roller coasters were the most fun: Giant Dipper & Undertow.

What can you say but happy people having fun while looked after by a competent and well-trained staff.
I really felt like an honoured guest!

It is a close walk from the Boardwalk to the wharf. There are great views of the coast with plenty of picture taking opportunities. There are also numerous restaurants to choose from and shops to walk through. The sea lions are always fun to watch too. You will know where they are located because they are loud. Santa Cruz had done a wonderful job keeping the area clean and family friendly.

Longest wooden boardwalk! So cool! We strolled to the end and had drinks and appetizers. The view was amazing! Saw lots of people fishing. Great place for everyone! Loved listening to the seals!

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.

By parking on the pier we save time walking which suited us fine as we are getting up there in age. No smoking areas though

Easy access, take card, pay when leave, not that bad, many parking spaces. Great restaurants and shops, and people watching and fisherman. Watch sunset over far cliffs and lighthouse on the water is worth the visit

Had a nice visit, but paying to park just to walk along the pier wasn't worth it to me. Everything was high priced for what it was.

Santa Cruz Wharf/Beach is a popular beach with the tourist and surfers. Family members enjoyed the surfing when its good. And you have the University of California, Santa Cruz close by

I visited an hour before the sun set so got the best of both words. The restaurants had good views on the pier but it could be a tourist trap I’m not sure. Review them before booking!

Fun place to visit. Lots of little shops and restaurants. Kayak rentals if you want. Towards the end of the pier, they have "watching holes" in the floor where you can sometimes see marine life. We saw a lot of sea lions swimming and sunbathing on a wooden ledge made for that purpose.

A lot of good restaurants and fun little shops on the wharf. It stays pretty lively all day long. Many benches for sitting and viewing the ocean and all the surfers. Clean public restrooms. Great views.

The shops and restaurants are pretty run down. Flies while you wait for restaurants, old feeling to everything. The one restaurant we went to was good though, so worth the walk at least.

Absolutely love it. Beautiful views of the beach and seaside. You can walk at any time during the day, sit to enjoy the sun and watch the sea lions. There are several restaurants and gift shops so lots of options. A must place to visit in Santa Cruz.

Well located in front of beautiful beach with a view of Pacific Ocean. Highlight the vibrant and fun atmosphere, nice and lovely restaurants around. Excelent option for lunch or dinner. The sunset is amazing. Increabibles marine animals.

If you in Santa Cruz, take a walk on the Wharf. Great restaurants [Riva Fish House is a good option], fun shops, and for candy-lover, an awesome candy shop called Marini’s Candies [get the homemade taffy - yum]. But the real reason for a stroll on the Wharf is to catch some incredible views of the ocean waves crashing onto the shoreline, the surfers trying to catch a wave, and the sea lions.

We didn't know anything about the SC Wharf but once we found parking we enjoyed our time there. It's a great place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the coast, the Boardwalk, and the Lighthouse in the distance. There's usually lots of sea life around the Wharf to look at as well. There's plenty of restaurants and shops to choose from. It's a very good place to spend some afternoon time on a lovely sunny day.

It’s free to get in so lots of people come from all around to just be there. You can buy big beers or meat on a stick, whatever suits your fancy. Diverse and real and fun. The opposite of stuffy. It’s worth a walk through, people watching and maybe even a ride on the Big Dipper.

About 25 sea lions, of all ages and sizes, lazing on the dock below, and I could watch them for hours. They were adorable and you can see how they care for each other. The sun was out, but they were in the shade, just having a grand time. The wharf is everything you'd expect (and hope) it to be. From the array of touristy tchotchke places to the fresh seafood and bars, it's just a nice change from my east coast wharfs (new England and NY).

We had dinner here on the wharf and did some souvenir shopping. Looks a little ran down but liked the variety in the shops. You have to pay to drive and park on the wharf. We left before dark which I recommend.

It's got all the allure of a place that was once nice and now has been relagated to cheap food joints, no charm, a place that needs a huge renovation and restoration, but more importantly, it lacks character.

That is sad. I've known this wharf for 50 years and it slowly has gone the way of greasy food, shuttered buildings, barking seals, and it used to be fun to walk it, ride it, cruise to it. So the big question is why?

Money, of course. But this could be a destination not an abomination or an eyesore. The Santa Cruz Visitors Bureau and City Council, the Chamber and the County could team up with the State to make this place a wonderful and safe place for families, couples to stroll, restaurants that don't serve greasy and unhealthy food ... if only they could show some leadership.

Will you go there? Why would you is my thought unless something changes. It will fall into decay and that's a shame. Make this post your rallying cry and pass it along to leaders in the community if you really care.

The wharf is a nice place to stroll and enjoy the sea air and seals. We are east coasters in Santa Cruz for a family wedding so we thourougly enjoyed the abundance of harbor seals and their antics. Nice browsing in the shops. We did want to have dinner on the wharf but we had a rather large group and none of the restaurants could accomodate us at the dinner hours on a Saturday night but no hard feelings. It was chilly so my SIL and I ducked into the coffee shop for a hot cuppa Joe. My SIL got some fussy coffee which she enjoyed. Have fun.

Strolling along the wharf to the barking os the sea lions is a memorable experience. It only gets better when you find them, lolling around on planks beneath the wharf scrambling and angling for the best spots in the sun. Always arguing and constantly resettling, you can watch them and laugh for hours.

The Wharf is the perfect place to wander for a couple of hours and have a meal. With amazing view of Santa Cruz, you cant not just enjoy the walk up and down the pier. The Sea Lions put on a show for you at all hours. There are some really good restaurants, and some nice shops. Make sure you try the Salt Water Taffy!

Absolutely love this place! You dont have to spend money since you can just sit outside, enjoy the sealions, seagulls, amazing views and sunsets. If you do get hungry or crave a cocktail, there are plenty of restaurants. Stop by for a souvenir? You can get one here too!

It is more beautiful on a sunny day. There are lot of rides and places to eat along the boardwalk. You need a whole day especially if you are with young children. Must have hat as it can be hot.

There are a few restaurants and tons of parking. Nice view of the boardwalk as the lights came on. It's a large wharf but it could benefit from some sprucing up.

We drove along the wharf and parked at the end and were pleasantly surprised by the little friends (sea lions) at the end. You could hear them from the boardwalk.
This is a great wharf to walk along and look back to the beach/boardwalk
There is a few options for lunch (obviously mainly seafood) and some stores along wharf as well.
The sea lions at the end put on a show playing, sleeping and jumping around, they are worth the visit

The boardwalk is a blast, especially for families with kids. There are tons of rides and games, mini-golf is cheap ($6 for 18 holes), there are the standard treats to eat (we had corn dogs, chicken nuggets, chocolate dipped swirls, candied apple) and fun to shop. The place is clean with plenty of bathrooms. Easy to take a stroll or camp out at the beach. We didn't have time for a visit to the wharf, but on a recent trip we enjoyed watching the sea lions bask and swim and loved watching schools of sardines swim around the pier, as well as tons of birds. Oh, and there are many stores with typical tourist shopping for clothes and souvenirs at the boardwalk and wharf. The wharf provides sit down restaurant options, and I've never had a bad meal at those I've tried.

We were surprised to see how cheap it was to park on the pier itself, 1$ for every 4 hours. Nice little stores to shop for souvenirs. We ate at Woodies Café, good food for not much. Take a long walk until the end of the wharf and you can the seal resting or playing. While on it you have a great view of the boardwalk. If it’s windy just bring an extra long sleeve shirt with you.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is a great place to visit when you are in town. Parking can be tough but we were fortunate to be staying nearby so we could walk. Lots of restaurants and little shops. We were disappointed that the restaurants didn’t have outdoor seating, but it’s probably because the weather is so unpredictable. All
of them have amazing views though, and the windows were wide open wherever we went. Lots of fishermen on the wharf, street musicians and people watching. Some places were boarded up though, so parts of it seemed a bit seedy. An enjoyable stop though.

After all, how many times do you get to drive your car on a pier over the Pacific, so I paid and discovered it was a cruisers dream. Oh yea, pick a restaurant to eat at and buy a souvenir. A tourist dream!

We recently had lunch and walked the wharf. Always great views of the Beach Boardwalk, surfers and wildlife. Some of the stores have been there many years and have friendly staff. Many good restaurants. Parking can be tricky at peak times, especially with current work trucks on the wharf taking up some of the prime parking.

Had a great afternoon stroll . Watched the surfers am walked into the little shops and had a great meal.

Great shops! Good food! On one end are the “adolescent” sea lions, while on the opposite end, you’ll find the “geriatric unit.” 😂😂😂😂
These awesome creatures are always fun to watch.

Great sunset, sea lions, music, events, shops, parking only a dollar a hour and chocolate bacon too.

We stayed at the Casablanca on the beach hotel and was walking distance to the wharf. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes the wharf is longer than you think. A pleasant and relaxing stroll to the end and back and stopping in to various shops on the wharf along the way. There are shops and restaurants on the wharf to visit.

We had lunch and dinner here on the wharf. Took alot of pictures, talked with our servers and enjoyed the sea lions. Did alittle shopping. Some stores were unique and everyone was friendly and helpful. Views are wonderful.

Great walk and plenty of places to eat towards the end of the pier. To my surprise there was also plenty of parking available.

Tons of people spending the day fishing, you can also rent boats and kayaks should you desire.

The amusement park was extremely busy if you like rides it’s there to enjoy.

Visited for record end-March high temperatures. Lots of seals under and around the pier. Large and busy fun fair, arcade and beach

Visited the wharf late afternoon and stayed til after sunset. We walked the pier the enjoyed the ocean’s salty air, watched the hearty play in the waves and checked out the shops and restaurants. Parking is cheap - $1/Hour for the first 4 hours - providing more than enough time to eat before the price “jumps” to $2/hr.

Nothing to drive for but fine if you are in the city anyway. Prefer Monterey marina area. Not much in the city either.

Great spot to check out the sea lions and grab something to eat. Restaurants on the wharf are a good place to eat and check out the view.

Maybe this place is great in season and with kids but we hit it just at the end of the season and it just looked sad and a little bit scary!! Not in the best part of town!!

Santa Cruz wharf is an iconic landmark that it enjoyed by locals and visitors. Often sea lions can be seen sleeping on the wharf decks and under wharf structures. The wharf, shops and restaurants are looking a little tired but it’s nice to seethe wharf is still standing and will be preserved for generations to come

Lovely wander and views, saw a seal (feels requisite for the area!), decent food choices and typical tourist shops at the end.

This is good to take a short walk out to and also bring the kids. Towards the end of the warf you can see the sea lions below sleeping and swimming. Different restaurants and shopping. Rent small boats.

A lovely place for an evening stroll. Stop in to restaurants along the wharf for a drink or some fried clam strips and oysters. Recommend the bar at Splash. Pretty views of the bluffs and the boardwalk lights. Watch the seals and hear them barking under the wharf.

I love to visit the Santa Cruz Wharf. There are many nice souvenir shops along with delicious dining options. The views are spectacular. This is a great place to see California Sea Lions.

A walk on the pier is pleasant. The sea lions below are a spectacle in themselves. On the other hand, restaurants are expensive

We walked the wharf enjoying watching the sailboats going in and out and people fishing off the pier and sea lions barking and lounging under the pier. There is parking but not nearly enough for all those trying to be out on the pier where there are some shops and restaurants/eating outlets. It was a great place to relax and enjoy the views, have some food, and do a bit of souvenir shopping.

January/Feb. is crowd less at the Wharf and Boardwalk. Many shops still closed except on weekends. Golf area and cafe open. Arcade being renovated during our visit and was closed.

Too many homeless
In the past was much better
In the evening was scary to walk whit the kids
Out of the hotel no way to enjoy the tipical SoCal atmosphere

It’s certainky more of a collection of restaurants than anything. That said it was a bracing march 3v3n8ng walk to the end and we watched the hardy surfers trying to catch waves. You can drive on the pier. There appeared to be a charge, but since I walked, wasn’t aware how much. There somethin about a pier that just makes you have to walk to the 3nd and back and 5his one is no exception. There are Palestrina walkways either side of the driving lane, so it’s safe to walk adjacent to any traffic.

I love the Santa Cruz wharf! So much good food and souvenir shops! I really enjoyed Firefish for lunch, Marini's fudge and the Santa Cruz t-shirts I got. The view of the Boardwalk is fantastic and you can actually drive and park on the wharf!

They have a ton of arcade games and carnival rides right on the beach. There are tons of restaurants and places to get snacks. A great place to people watch and they have lots of concerts here as well.

The 3000-ft walkway extends into the sea from the Santa Cruz beach right next to the Dream Inn. It is a nice walkway ending with many food places. When you get closer to the end, you can hear the oink! oink! of the sea lions resting on the beams down below. There are convenient viewing openings above their favorite resting places. Occasionally, whole flock of sea lions jump into the water and make a communal show of frolicking around. There is no line or fee require dto enjoy the whole place

Santa Cruz was so much fun and walking along the wharf it was just exciting. My wife and I are getting older but walking along and seeing the families and the children just brought back so much memories of younger days. We’re not sure if we will ever make it back to Santa Cruz again but going on this vacation and seeing all the sights was a true joy and would suggest it for anyone.

There are few places as beautiful as Santa Cruz and the wharf is where you can see the best view of the town. It’s free to stroll (although you will stop to get candy at Marinis). Just a magical place to see people happy and enjoying their lives.

Very nice wharf. Touted as the longest in the United States, it is a nice walk. It's dotted with mostly sea food restaurants, mostly sit down types. We enjoyed Woody's Cafe, a more related and moderate priced venue. Walking distance to the Boardwalk and lots of parking on the wharf itself. There were many sea lion below the wharg which you can see and hear through large openings on top. While there is a seafood market there, too pricy to feed the sea lions.

I’ve been coming here for over 45 years and the place hasn’t changed a bit. Scattered with restaurants, gift shops and boat/kayak rentals. Great place for fishing, especially night fishing, I’ve caught sharks, halibut, king fish, skates, octopus, crab and perch from here.

We ate on the wharf twice. You can drive on and there is parking on the wharf. There are lots of restaurants and shops. The restaurants offer seating with an ocean view, though if it's busy, there may be a wait for a window seat. Sea lions live under the wharf, and one evening we got to see them! Picked up some wall art, 2 wooden surf board shaped plaques with beautiful paintings on them.

Nice place to people-watch and have a good view of many different fun and exciting things. It can be whatever you make it, we thoroughly enjoyed watching the sunset and checking out all of the different sites.

I like walking down the wharf and checking out the shops and restaurants there. It has a slightly different fishing theme than the Beach Boardwalk which is very close by. You can hear and maybe see seals, the view of the ocean is beautiful from various restaurants which are more upscale. There are people fishing along the wharf with a small fishing gear store.

This is always a nice walk, you can see people fishing off the pier’s, seals below the wharf, and there’s plenty of coffee shops and candy and restaurants for everyone’s liking’s.
If you’re a geocache sure there’s one at the very end of the wharf that’s worth discovering

Turned out to be better than we expected. We went on Christmas day, and it didn't seem very crowded. many of the restaurants were shut. The Sea Lions were quite a sight, and walking around the wharf and taking in views from various angles was a good way to spend some time.

A great place to take a walk and enjoy the smells of the beach. Close to the Boardwalk and Neptune's Plaza.

This wharf is record=setting long for a wharf of its type and historic and goes way out into the bay with nice views and good restaurants.

I am not much into carnival rides, but do enjoy looking at them especially when the lights come on. I took some beautiful pictures. We were in the area for an anniversary trip. We had been here at other times of the year and it was much less crowded. In August it was over crowded- wall to wall people- up all night, parking everywhere. Activity at a liquor store near our hotel brought the entire police force out. After that calmed down, along in the night, there was either gun shots or firecrackers, followed by more sirens. We have made note- DON'T GO BACK IN AUGUST!

Spent this past weekend at the beach. We walked around and ate so much good food on the wharf. We had fresh crab cups, shrimp sandwiches, smoked salmon cups, calamari !! It was all so great. We didn't even know there were more places to eat down at the end of the wharf ! You owe it to yourself to go check it out !

The wharf at Santa Cruz is a mainstay for the beach. It is reported to be nearly a half mile long. Cars can drive down almost the full length of the pier which I hadn’t seen before. There are shops and restaurants. It seemed a little touristy to me. Seals seem to sleep on the pilings below the pier, which was the best part.

We sat near the end of the pier eating takeaway fish and chips from Dolphin, watching surfers and the funfair. Then watched the baby sea lions, Sea Otters and Pelicans. Also spent time browsing the clothes and gift shops.
There was all-day parking near the fair for $25, but we were only there for an evening and found a $5 car park on Washington St just beyond Depot Park. Only a few mins walk from the Wharf and no charge after 8pm so we only had to pay $3 for the few hours we were there.
I preferred it here to Pier 39. Much more laid back.

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 .

My wife and I spent a very relaxing day on the wharf taking in all the sunshine, wildlife, smells and shops that it had to offer. It was a perfect day to kickback and rest up for trip back Michigan the next day. We visited all the different shops to see what they had to offer and sat on a bench overlooking the bay soaking up the sunshine for quite sometime. While we sat on the bench we witnessed sea lions playing in the surf and pelicans swooping in to feed on fish. We also enjoyed lunch at Woodies Cafe, while we casually strolled the wharf hand in hand. It was a vey good day!

First time visiting and it was a fun time. Had a lot of restaurants to choose from and some little shops for souvenirs. Loved sitting in the bench and looking out at the water.

We were here on a Friday night with the festive crowd and it was great fun. You can't depend on the weather but we were lucky and it was warm enough to enjoy the ocean views and find a place to eat. Lots of fun.

I parked on the wharf, shopped around and ate breakfast food for lunch at Gilda's Family Restaurant.
I came for the sea lions and saw so many of them. Both in the water and resting. I loved seeing them porpoise, swimming, sleeping, etc. I came at high tide.
Saw several harbor seals too.
If it had been sunny that day, it would have been better, but I still had a good day with the seals and sea lions.

I grew up in Santa Cruz. Locals rarely visit the entire Boardwalk vicinity. It's a bit grimy and gimmicky, but the wharf still has some charm. How can you not appreciate being on the water with views of West Cliff? Near the end you can look down and see the sea lions resting and swimming. It's worth a walk. In general, most of the restaurants are classic tourist fare burgers and fries at slightly inflated prices. Though there are a couple quality places, you're better off eating at Aquarius which is the restaurant downstairs of the Dream Inn. On Sunday afternoons, there's latin dancing at the entrance of the wharf, adjacent to Ideal Bar and Grill. Have fun!

Beach street cafe is a lil cafe with amazing breakfast opens up at 8 am which was perfect we were able to sleep in get breakfast before going to the Boardwalk which is literally across the street from the restaurant !! Reasonably priced considering you get great portions!

I have been going to the Santa Cruz Wharf since I was a teen. Lots to see and do, plus some great places to eat. Our favorite is Gilda's a life long wharf institution.

It's always a plus to walk the wharf. They have fun little shops. Some very tasty restaurants and clusters of the cutest sea lions all napping and enjoying their lazy days. It's also a terrific view of the boardwalk

Adjacent to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, the wharf is a bit rougher around the edges. Worth the stroll to come down and see the views from the wharf and check out the sea lions resting on the pier supports. There were a few interesting restaurants and a couple of gift shops as well. From the wharf you can fish and rent kayaks. We enjoyed checking it out while in the area.

The wife and I really enjoyed our recent stay at the Dream Inn, especially the view from our deck of all the activity around the Wharf. Because of a recent operation, we didn't actually get to walk the wharf, but on our final night in town, we decided to drive out to the end and enjoy the sunset over a nice meal at Stagnaro Bros Seafood. What a wonderful evening! Since it was a weeknight, the wharf was not too terribly crowded, so that added to the tranquility. Plus it also made it possible to find a parking space close enough to the restaurant for my wife to knee-scooter her way to the door. We enjoyed watching the surfers as well as the assorted wharf-wanderers. Taking in the vast Monterey Bay with so many wonderful landmarks made for a wonderful night. It costs a few bucks to drive out onto the wharf, but it is well worth it. And here's a cool thing for folks that have disability issues and can't walk the pier: flash your parking pass at the toll booth on your way out and you will not be charged for the first hour & half (or two?). Great place to visit!!

Tripping with tweens & teens is a challenge. Santa Cruz Warf appeals to all ages. Our eleven & fifteen year old BOTH loved the beach, the boardwalk, the seals the Jump Bikes & just the overall chill hipster vibe Santa Cruz exudes. A few Things to be aware of if driving :
1) Parking is annoyingly limited & expensive- $15 (for all day) at the biggest lot across from the boardwalk area. 2) Navigating in Santa Cruz, especially down by the warf can be confusing & try your patience. There are lots of one way streets. 3) If you can find less expensive parking further away there are tons of Jump Bikes you can ride closer to the Warf for about 15cents / minute (You will
need to download the Jump Bike app)

rgw Wharf is a mile long making it the largest wharf in the usa- a must see attraction . Just go! I usually play guitar at the end or fish thre for fun0 it is beautiful views

The wharf has lots of seafood restaurants and has great views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Cruz boardwalk area. At the end of the pier there were dozens of seals in the water and lying on the pier pilings below. You can also watch people fishing from the pier.

Enjoyed the views from the wharf and pleasant walk. The view of sunset is just awesome. The sea lions take their naps underneath just for and fyi. Many restaurants to enjoy also.

I checked friends because an adult grandson doesn’t count as family (teens) and we ARE friends but family would be more accurate! We cane to see the seals who hang out below the wharf on the supports that anchor the wharf tin the water. They sleep, cavort and call out - not sure what they are saying but although the wharf is man made it seems to serve their purposes. The shops and restaurants on the wharf did NOT attract me. Maybe I missed a hidden gem ....

There are cool gift shops with items that are not over-priced like most souvenir shops, and lots of food choices. You can watch the swimmers brave the cold water and surfers catching waves, bit the real draw for me are the sea lions inhabiting the pylons under the wharf!!

Took a walk along the Wharf one morning and revisited in the evening for dinner. A few shops and restaurants and some working fishermen. Seals lazing under the wharf and making a noise.

Welcome to Surf City, Fisherman’s Wharf and the beauty of 70 degree days with no humidity. People are very chill and friendly over there. The Pacific Ocean is gorgeous. There are many quaint shops, a nearby mall, the well known Wharf where the food is great. Very scenic with Monterey right beside us and acres of farm land. The peace and tranquility made it for a very relaxing stay with so much to do from museums to farm and ocean, as well as, an amusement park on the board walk that is made out of wood and I believe over 100 years old but don’t quote me. There’s shopping and many great restaraunt. Great place to go if you love the beach and surfing.

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 !

Most places have an iconic "thing" that may not really be all that great but is still something you should do. I would classify the Wharf that way. It's the longest on the west coast and over 100 years old which is a pretty cool fact. People drive and park on the wharf so honestly, that takes away from it a little as most similar wharves or piers on the east coast are pedestrian only.

There are sea lions near the end but we found it hard to get a great view of multiple lions like you can in SF. There are multiple restaurants, too many to count, and they all tout their specials. I'm not sure any are the best restaurants in Santa Cruz and I don't know that you need to eat on the wharf but I do recommend driving on, parking and walking, even if you're there only an hour. It'd be tough to go to Santa Cruz and not visit the wharf.

The fee to access the wharf was very reasonable.

We love to see the sea lions and there are many options for shopping and food. You can also fish off the wharf and watch the surfers

Is not the most beautiful place, but is nice to walk on it, and if you go at night you can see the lights in roller coasters from Santa Cruz Broadwalk. You can find some bars and restaurants and a few more places to buy souvenirs.

Nice place for a stroll away from the boardwalk crowd, but it smelled like garbage; that wasn’t great.

Awesome shops,great food and atmosphere. The view is amazing. Me and my family love this place. Come here all the time.

It's just the whole experience! Beach, shopping, amusement park. It's all in walking distance. Love it there

I appreciate that the wharf has free access to the sea lions that hang out toward the farthest point, but the proximity of the wharf to the boardwalk means everything on it is above average in price. Not my favorite place to go in the area-Capitola is cheaper and, in my opinion, more fun-but by no means bad.

Nice long walk to the end of the wharf and back.
We got close to the sea lions on the lower decks and also saw some through the viewing areas towards the far end.
Many restaurants and cafes, mostly specialising in seafood.
Also great ice cream, gift shops and a rest room.
Plenty of benches, so a good place to sit and view the sea, the fishermen and people watch.

Was a great place to visit. Allowed for a different view of the bay and the ocean. Can fish from pier.

Walk out onto the wharf to see all the sailboats and sea lions and seals in the ocean. Look back for a great view of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and all the carnival rides. There are plenty of restaurants and small shops on the way out you can stop in. Great seating to grab a snack and enjoy the ocean air.

This is a wonderful place to walk and admire the ocean and local sea lions who sleep under the pier. There are good restaurants and variety of stores. Parking is available on the pier but there’s a fee.

Nice for a little stroll out to the water. Lots of sea lions to watch as they lounge in the sun. Lots of little spots to grab a nite

(Warning: young adults from Central Florida in for vacation) The location was touristy beyond belief with a congregation of seafood restaurants frying all seafood- a sign the seafood isn’t that good to begin with- teens taking over, and many areas that could use a cleaning.

SOME THINGS TO ENJOY
Of course, the sea lions. Who doesn’t love watching those silly animals? There’s a great place to view them along the pier. The surrounding water also looks great for slow water crafts like kayaking. Naturally, the beach and rides attracted many families, and the wharf itself can provide some low-cost entertainment. During our May visit, the water was still very chilly and it was windy, so come prepared.

ON THE OTHER HAND
This area draws some characters. Some of them kinda sketchy and bumming in groups on the beach although they never bothered us. The rides had the appearance of being pretty old, but I guess their popularity speaks for itself. Strollers and bikes competed with us for sidewalk space. With so many other things to explore in Santa Cruz, I’d probably just enjoy the beach sand and sea lions portion of this Wharf and just shrug at everything else. You could see this place used to be a great historical area that kinda got diluted as the tourist industry took over.

Very smelly, very dirty, couple of nice shops, in short don’t bother. Food on the expensive side so were the drinks. Not impressed with the beach area

Passed through Santa Cruz on the way to San Fran. Stopped by the wharf for a walk. Lots of restaurants and souvenir shops. Lovely view of the water, sea lions and surfers.

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.

We wondered out here a couple times while staying in Santa Cruz. Standard restaurants and gift shops. Great place to rent kayaks.

Sunday morning walk!
Like walking the plank into the Monterey Bay with open vistas and hoping to see Hawaii on the horizon! Sea mammals barking & diving!
Soon the developers will build high on the wharf & the expansiveness will shrink. Enjoy now!

it is nice to stroll down for the views of the ocean and visit little stores and restaurants - lots of food choices available.

Good walk. Lots of shops and places to eat. Most places had about the same selection of souvenir type gifts.

Cars have to go through a gate and pay a modest fee or you can park at the Boardwalk and walk over. T-Bird car cruise when we were there which was neat and nice views of the beach and good picture of the Boardwalk panorama.

we had a great time here just checking out all the rides, shops and beach, great atmosphere alot to see

Seriously save your money. I use to visit Santa Cruz all the time as a kid. It’s full of drug addicts and homeless now. Why would anyone spend money to have a bunch of Meth Addicts around their children? I’ll never go back to that town again.

Santa Cruz Wharf provides an excellent stroll in fresh air, complete with several boutiques and restaurants. We loved the resident Sea Lions, which were more vocal and less smelly than the ones in San Francisco. Pick a restaurant with a north-facing view, and you'll be able to watch the surfers on the beach.

I loved this Wharf! The hands down best part is watching the nature and animals! I loved watching the birds and my favorite part was watching the sea lions. Oh my gosh they are so cute!!!
It was nice that the wharf had several informational nature bulletin boards to teach tourists about the ocean and its wild life.
This whole area was so relaxing and we stayed for like half an hour. We drove out and we were pleasantly surprised that it was no charge

Go to the far end and watch the seals. Just endless entertainment. Lots of parking. Birds fighting by. Paddlers in the water.

Went sea kayaking. Awesome. Very easy to do, saw otters. Ate clam
Chowder at the stagnaro bros place.

Were given the tip by some locals to go see the sea lions at the end of the wharf. So glad we did. Took breakfast with us and sat on one of the many benches to take it all on. Most of the shops and restaurants on the wharf don’t open until 10 or 11:00 am, but that didn’t bother us. Mostly fish specialists. So if you don’t like to eat fish, don’t plan on eating here. The wharf could be in better repair. The etchings in he wooden surfaces and rails are eyesores.

I love having dinner on the Santa Cruz Wharf! Lots of great restaurants to choose from. Especially fun to eat on the Wharf when it's raining and stormy. Have a great time!

Great place to visit! Drive out to the shops and restaurants. Or just enjoy the sites, and sea life.

Nice, cheap parking. Sea lions, food, Souvenir shops, fun walk , Would give 5 stars but not dog friendly.

The Wharf offers great views of Santa Cruz coast. Local fisherman can seen fishing from the pier. Also may see a few sea lions. There are several souvenir shops and restaurants. The Restaurants have good prices, but I did try the food so cannot spark to the quality. The Wharf itself is old and could bird or something. use some general updating. Lots of bird poop everywhere and feathers. So much feathers in some areas like a cat had killed a bird or something. But overall good views and a nice walk.

This was great you can drive right out there and park. Which was good because we had some one with us who has mobility issues. Great views and good places to drink and eat. Lots of fun look for the sea lions

Santa Wharf is located adjacent to the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, a major tourist attraction. The wharf has a variety of restaurants, gift shops, wine tasting, candy stores, and one can just stroll and peer down at the sea lions below. The Wharf has over 1 million visitors a year who come to the Santa Cruz Wharf to fish, shop, dine and sight see. Since I live in Santa Cruz, I get there a few times a year. Enjoy it every time.

Had a good time with my wife walking down the wharf taking in the view. We stopped in at almost all the shops to see what they had to offer. After 3 it was obvious they all had about the same apparel, hats, shirts, flip flops, towels and stickers, patches & jewelry. However, we really enjoy looking through all those shops because you usually find a hidden gem or two to take home. My wife found a couple dried sea urchins & a star fish for display. I stopped into the candy store and picked up some ‘Milk chocolate Sea Foam.’ There were many inviting seafood restaurants however, we had just eaten. We were also able to see the local harbor seals that use the underside of the pier to nap & rest. We enjoyed talking to some of the locals who were also fishing from the pier. Overall it was a great experience & great time. The reason for the 3 stars is right in the middle of the pier is an old bar / tavern that seems closed down & boarded up that stretched for over 100 feet that smelled of urine soaked nastiness and wafted in the air so badly it made you want to throw up. Normally, I couldn’t care less however, was a bit surprised the city hadn’t done anything to rectify the issue on one of its main attractions. I highly recommend the wharf, just be advised about this one area when walking down the middle.

A good place to have a walk, good views to take pictures off. Can be busy at times though because of the sun.

Lovely afternoon walk to truly soak up old school Cali vibe. We planned to stop here because my friend had seen the location in a movie. The "kitch" lived up to our expectations. Funny statues, old school roller coasters, and a boardwalk didn't dissapoint.

The wharf has plenty of parking for a fee. I love to first head down the pier enjoying the many stores and restaurants along the way. Great for having some clam chowder. At the end you can look down some openings to see seals, starfish and an occasional otter. You’ll see people fishing off the pier and others just sitting and enjoying the day. Even on a warm day the breeze can be a little chilly. From the pier you also get some great views of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Beach.

Nice short walk to shops and some great restaurants! Marini's candy at end of pier, Rivas has the ultimate fried zucchini, Ideal Bar & Grill never disappoints us with their menu and quality food!

I visited the famous Santa Cruz Wharf!!! It is contiguous to the Santa Cruz boardwalk and well worth the long walk to the end. It is America’s longest wharf and very cool!! I saw what I think are sea lions?????? hanging out and resting beneath the wharf and making plenty of noises….. there are plenty of things to do on the wharf like tons of restaurants, wine bistros, boat rentals, etc. It’s a very cool place and when I come back I’ll be out here again!!!!

You will be quite surprised at how the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean affect the weather. But in mid-July the temperature is struggling to get above 20 degrees. The mole is the longest and oldest of its kind in the United States. On the mole you can observe the local fishing. You will also get close to the local wildlife. Along the beach, people are licking the sun and the beach lions play beach volleyball. Inside the tivoliet children and teenagers have a party. The last one a somewhat more forced party than the first one.

We enjoyed strolling along the wharf. There are a few restaurants and gift shops but we most enjoyed watching the birds, seals and sea otters.

Enjoyed strolling down the windy Wharf, catching some good views of Santa Cruz beach and boardwalk, including when the fog obscured both! Interesting posters of the Wharf history, and lots of sea lions resting on the girders, supplied some general interest, and there was a selection of restaurants to choose from. Apparently this is the longest warf in the US. Interesting in itself. If you visit Santa Cruz, I would say a 'must do'. Well, why not?!

Too many restaurants that no one is eating at, and lots of scary looking people fishing, this pier could be an awesome spot if they cleaned it up.

We were headed to the Wharf and parked along the street a little ways away because it was a weekend and we figured we would have a hard time finding parking, but as we walked along the Wharf there were lots of free spots.
There is lots going on down here. You have many touristy shops along the Wharf as well as many nice restaurants with beautiful views while you are eating.
If you walk all the way to the end you can get some great shots along the water and if you are lucky you will see the Sea Lions down on the rafters under the boardwalk. They are pretty loud, so you may hear them before you see them.
This is a very nice walk at Sunset and makes for some great photo opportunities.

I have been to the wharf many many times. This time I went on a Thursday in December. I enjoyed walking the entire wharf area. There are nice water views,

There are places for shopping such as the Sock Store and others.

I had lunch at Gilda's Family Restaurant. There are others. All have views.

People were fishing, walking about, etc. There are places to rent boats and kayaks.

There are historic signs.

And of course the best is the sea lions one can see at the end of the wharf area.
Its always a must to watch them.

The food is amazing. It's always fun to nose into the shops and see what's new. Our favorite restraunt? Blue dolphin!

The Wharf is an experience that never grows old. It offers amazing views to enjoy a beautiful sunset. There are several excellent bars and restaurants to enjoy as well. You can drive out on the Wharf or you can park and walk from the Boardwalk

My coworkers and I always enjoy our visit to the Wharf

At the start of the pier(wharf) there was live band and a crowd of people dancing, it was a good atmosphere, however the wharf itself is run down and tied, as are the few restaurants (all samey with their menus).

The pier is used for parking and there’s a constant stream of cars in and off the pier.

Other than a few restaurants there is nothing more to do or see on the wharf.

We randomly decided to drive from SanFran to Santa Cruz for the day and we had the best time! it was February, so it wasn't very warm, but there were a zillion surfers in the water, seals sunning themselves under the pier, almost no crowds, and great places to eat and shop--we spent almost 8 hours just at the boardwalk and managed to see a great sunset at the end!

The Santa Cruz Wharf is a place where you can spend an afternoon fishing off the side of the pier or an hour or two shopping for souvenirs.... you can also select a restaurant and have breakfast, lunch or dinner, watch the sea lions as they relax on the cross beams below or watch the sun set.
It is also a place where you can park and walk over to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for some fun and entertainment....

The wharf has some good restaurants, we ate at Stagnaros which didn’t disappoint. The shops are super touristy and don’t have a lot of character. It’s a nice walk and the views are good but that’s about it.

Took a pleasant walk on the wharf. Lots of families. Different kind of view. On each side. Heard the sea lions and then saw them resting and swimming.

Be sure to walk all the way to the end of the wharf! If you look down through the openings you will see and hear the sea lions. Very cool!!

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 !!

Even though I live in Santa Cruz, I still love going out on the wharf for a meal on occassion. If you avoid peak touristy times it is an easy experience to park and find a table at a nice fish place. And on Tuesdays they validate parking, so that you don't need to pay to park. I love the ocean and Boardwalk views!

Unlike other wharfs in the area, this one only has businesses dominate 1 side and these are mostly restaurants. If you are looking for a pier that allows public fishing though, this is it. Sea lions and seagulls abound!

Nice walk out to the tip, beautiful CA afternoon. A bit tawdry and run down for a place that celebrated its 250th just 2 years ago.
BUT GO FOR THE SEALS. There are cut out places on the wharf to view them lounging on the planks under the wharf. You can hear them taking to each other and it's great to get so close to them.

I didn't eat there as most places seemed like big bars that also serve food. I ran into a family eating take out from the big takeout place in the middle and they loved their food, which looked like the usual fried fish and chowder.

Bought a trinket from one of the overpriced souvenir shops. Nice selection but the clerk was more interested in her cell phone and wouldn't take my change as she'd already told the register I gave her a twenty, and it "would mess up my register." I wonder if she couldn't make change without the register telling her.

BUT the seals are worth the stop and expensive parking.

Mostly tourist shops filled with trinkets and tshirts and “those” .restaurants.
All the usual overpriced seafood joints. Guessing locals only go there when family or friends are visiting. But nice views are always goodJ

Do you like to go for an evening walk? Do you enjoy watching the sunset? Do you enjoy watching the surfers trying to catch a wave? Do you enjoy listening and watching Seals play?

If so, you will enjoy this place

Combination of restaurants, retail, locals fishing, sea lions sunning, magnificent spot for whale and sea lion observation, drive out and park. Low key and NOT crazy chaotic. Love it!

The wharf is a good start for so many activities. You can spend a several hours just walking about, lounging and photographing people, ocean life or snacking on everything from chowder to tacos and some great salad and veggie dishes on a revolving dinning floor that gives everyone a chance for an ocean front view while eating. Come for the Woodys on the Wharf event, if your a car buff it is a real treat

Had to park on the wharf because boardwalk was slammed with people because of activities down town. There are some places to eat and some shops on the wharf to see and eat at. Parking was cheap enough so I liked that.

Always has brought a smile to my face. Visited from the time I was a kid. Family, friends, significant others at times. A blast.

The wharf is very touristy but early morning was great . There were hundreds of seal seats on and under the pier areas as you walked to the end. Great to hear and see them . There was only one coffee place open at this time and a bit of a line. Great photo opportunities back to the historic carnival along the beach. Also was some surfing , scuba lessons happening and sailing .........was with small group tour company Travel Dream West ...fabulous .....

It’s fun, the restaurants aren’t that great for how pricey they are. Capitola is just as good. And the restaurants there are great.

Totally enjoyed the wharf. We went there every day we were in Santa Cruz. Lots of sea lions, people fishing, seeing kelp and sardines in the water. Nice view of the boardwalk at night.

it's what it says it is. nice view from here and a nice beach. I don't have anything bad to say about it. parking seemed to be easy to find, but it was mid week in the morning.

We preferred walking the wharf instead of the boardwalk. It is much quieter and provides great views of the boardwalk and surrounding area in Santa Cruz. While there are several restaurants on the wharf, I recommend going to Splash. The views are great, the decor is nice, the staff is friendly and the food is good. Several t-shirt shops with souvenirs on the wharf as well.

My family was staying at the Dream Inn hotel which is adjacent to the Wharf, so we of course had to walk it since we were here. It's a nice walk and you get a great view of the boardwalk lights at night. The Wharf does have some shops and a few restaurants, but nothing was very appealing. We ate at Woodie's Cafe which was a disappointment, and the other restaurants didn't look very good. There are lots of wild seals around the pier for some good photos.

So, I'd definitely recommend walking the pier if you're visiting the boardwalk but don't expect much for the shops and cafes.

Besides walking along the wharf and a few restaurants & souvenir shops, there isn’t much here. To get to the wharf you have to walk through a number of homeless people and a bit sketchy area. I wouldn’t recommend going late at night or alone either. If you don’t go to the wharf when you’re in Santa Cruz, you’re not missing much.

Had a wonderful time in the charming town of Santa Cruz! Loves the architecture of the homes, wharf, boardwalk and downtown area!

If you are fish eater the wharf gives you several options of restaurants of varying degrees of casualness. I don't eat fish so choices were extremely limited. Prices are on the high side. There a couple of souvenir shops. In a few places you may find sea lions lounging below the wharf. A nice stroll that doesn't offer much shade.

Lots of cool things to play and do here! Family fun. Video games, old school games, and new state-of-the-art games too!

I love walking the wharf in the evening, while the shops are still open. There are numerous restaurants and at the end of the wharf are the seals and a great place to watch the sunset.

Always a fun place to stop. Plenty of shops and restaurants, but the fun part is watching the wildlife. It is a beautiful bay with the famous Boardwalk right across the water. Plenty of metered parking. Plan to spend some time here and enjoy Santa Cruz.

We went early before the shops and restaurants opened. The sea lions congregate under the wharf. There were no many people out. Great views of the coast.

Walked the pier watching the people fishing and the surfers. We will be coming back to have dinner at one of the restaurant, soon. An enjoyable afternoon

This wharf is a great place to walk for view of the ocean front.
There are places to eat, shop on the wharf.
For a nominal fee, you can drive out on to the prier and park.

The Santa Cruz Wharf is an Excellent place to spend an afternoon or evening. Great shops and delicious restaurants

Last time I strolled this wharf was three decades ago. Just did so again last month. As Jim Croce once sang, "If I could catch time in a bottle..." it would be like visiting the Santa Cruz Wharf. The shops may change. The restaurants may update. The visitors may come and go. But the place, the sea lions, and Monterey Bay seem timeless. It's a joy.

We made a point of coming here to see it, it definitely was worth it. Only down side was its a bit shabby, but not an issue. The are was a bit rough & wouldnt want to hang about her when the sun goes down. But in fairness we enjoyed it

It is conveniently located and an easy walk. I enjoyed having plenty of room and the wharf was not overcrowded with tourist items. The sea lions are fun to watch.

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.

We really went for the views. The shops and restaurants are what one would expect. They are touristy and fun. The diamond on this wharf is the viewing options of the sea lions that sleep here year round. So, so fun. We went back twice. They also, if needed, allow you to park on the wharf so I could bring my 80 year old mother and she could see the sea lions.

My boys love going here. They love the rides and the beach and it's all around fun for the entire family.

...and a lot less touristy.
A line of seafood restaurants and of course the historic Stagnaro Brother's restaurant and fish market. You can drive out onto the pier almost to the end.
Sea lions are often perched atop a plank seen through a large opening in the deck of the wharf towards its end. When you hear them from the beach, you know they're way down at the end of the wharf.

That's the best place in California to watch sea animals. Listen to the noise from sea lions and get down the stairs. They are really very close - sea lions and seals - probably 6 feet from you (you are watching them from above and cannot get closer).

You can't go out on the Warf without seeing sealions. It is impossible. We spent about an hour watching them hunt, which was really fun. They bark and play and are delightful to watch. Then we rented a kayak and were able to kayak with them (don't get too close, there are laws about that). Even though I see sea lions often at home, it was a thrill to see SO many of them (literally thousands) in one place and to watch their hunting behavior.

We visited Santa Cruz for a quick getaway and really enjoyed the wharf. It is not really a shopping place, but there were lots of places to sit and enjoy the water and sea life. Attached is our dinner view!

We got to see a local sea otter named Truffle swim around eating a crab as well as plenty of sea lions, people diving and just overall a good time, it was a quick in and out as none of the restaurants were open yet but we will certainly be ba k

Loved it here, great views of the beach and fair. I loved watching the sea lions also seen a dolphin🐬
Lots of gift shops and restaurants. A must when in Santa Cruz

Stroll the boardwalk for excellent food and drink menus, beachwear and souvenir options, and experience the sea lions frolicking by the wharf.

Plenty of places to eat and shop for great souvenirs. There are tons of sea lions swimming by the pier and there are areas to see them sleeping and playing. Great views of the Boardwalk, beach and bay area!

The location of the wharf was fantastic. ... it's near santa cruz boardwalk and Cowell beach. ...
Although I didn't see some sealion like the Web say. ... it's still is a very good view of the sea and boats. ... the history features is great. ...
The fine dining restaurant was truly enjoyable. ...
First time we drove. There is a $1 parking fee and parking is limited or nor that big. ...second time we walk and it was a very relaxing walk. ...love it. ...
The wharf was clean. ... a lot to see like shops,rentals, history features, and restaurants. ...
I like it. ...

Awesome place for family to hang out. Had dinner at the wharf after a long day at the beach. Kids loved the sea lions.

We took a quick walk along the longest wooden wharf in the US. It contained an assortment of souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and storage of boats and maintenance equipment. Besides car parking, there were also a couple of public docks to park your boat, kayak, etc. while visiting the wharf. However we saw that sea lions also like those docks and preempted humans from being able to use them as they enjoyed lounging and sunning themselves!

There were also quite a number of people out fishing that afternoon. Most common were perch and sanddabs.

The views towards the boardwalk and all the amusement park rides plus Cliff Drive were nice.

If you time it right then you can also catch the train from Roaring Camp as it passes by.

This can be a nice enough walk that takes you a bit out into the sea where you can fich, watch sea lions, shop and eat for instance.

Nice place to stroll for the evening and enjoy the shops and view. The highlight was seeing the sea lions lounging under the wharf.

View is beautiful. Sailboats are out and about some mooring for the night. Swimmers out in ocean wearing wetsuits. Sidewalk is clean.

There are a lot of restaurants on the wharf. What I like is that you can drive your car on the wharf. There is a parking fees. It is very minimal. I believe $1 an hr for the first 4 hrs. The food at the restaurants are great. You can watch seals by the wharf. Bring along a jacket as it can be chilly at night.

I visited Santa Cruz so many times, I wonder how did I miss the wharf.

They do have lot of parking on the wharf itself ($3/hr).
Nice place for a nice walk. lovely view of Santa Cruz. Take some pictures at sunset
Lots of good seafood restaurants with good views

I did like the beer garden, high quality craft beers from Bumble Sea local brewery

Shops are great and the food is top notch at Stagnaro Brothers. The parking can be a bit dicey (and pricey), but the sunset is worth it!

Every shot I went into the service people working hours Fridley Pleasant and accommodating I like that fact is I went to Woody's and I forgot to give me my Clam Chowder Bowl Bennigan's to go otherwise it I had a very enjoyable visit