Santa Cruz, CA     

A Day Trip    

*Note :

On December 23, 2024, about 180 ft. of the southernmost end of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the ocean. It had been damaged in winter storms and was under construction when this occurred. While the wharf has since reopened, repairs are still underway on the affected portion, which remains closed to the public. The trip described in this post took place in April 2023, well before the collapse.

     

During my time in the Monterey Bay area I took a trip up the coast to Santa Cruz. The photo above is a view of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park (which I did not visit). The photo was taken from the Santa Cruz Wharf, the destination of my visit.

Driving on Beach Street

On the wharf

Woodie's Cafe was the place for lunch. Their theme is surf boards and old cars, offering good food and a scenic view. As an added bonus I came across some bargain t-shirts in the attached gift shop.

There are numerous restaurants to choose from and interesting shops to discover a special gift or just enjoy browsing.

Now for the stars of the day - the sea lions. The wharf has cut-out sections with railings and wire around them, where you can look down and spot sea lions lounging on the beams below. There were so many but my favorites were a mama and her baby. It was a treat to hear their chorus of barks echoing from below.

                                           

    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                  

                                                           

I am an animal lover so anytime I can see wildlife up close and in their natural habitat it is a thrilling experience.

In conclusion, this city on the northern end of the Monterey Bay is well worth a visit.