★ Spotlight 2027
Beach & Boardwalk
Main Beach · Wharf
Santa Cruz's waterfront packs a historic seaside amusement park, a long wooden wharf, and wide sandy beaches into a few walkable blocks. Sea lions, volleyball nets, wooden coasters, and fresh seafood all sit within sight of Monterey Bay. A short stroll inland leads to a city park built on the old railroad depot site.
A Day on the Waterfront
- Walk out along the Municipal Wharf and look for sea lions around the pilings.
- Settle in for a seafood lunch at Riva Fish House with water views.
- Stroll Main Beach toward the Boardwalk, with a stop to watch the bay.
- Finish at the Boardwalk with a ride on the Looff Carousel and a bag of salt water taffy from Marini's.
Eat & Drink
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Ideal Bar & Grill
Casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot at the foot of the Wharf, serving seafood and California fare with a full bar, weekend brunch, and beach-themed decor, just steps from the sand.
Local tip: Reservations can be made by phone or through OpenTable.
106 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Ideal Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Ideal Bar & Grill (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Riva Fish House
Seafood restaurant on the Municipal Wharf that grew from a 1981 fish market, serving mussels, oysters, prawns, and chowder with water views and a lively bar.
Local tip: Online reservations are available on the restaurant's website.
- Ocean view
31 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Riva Fish House (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Riva Fish House (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Stagnaro Bros. Seafood
Wharf seafood restaurant and fish market with an upper deck lounge, ocean views, and a menu of clam chowder, coconut prawns, crab melts, and fish and chips, rooted in a local fishing family's history.
Local tip: The restaurant does not take reservations.
- Ocean view
- Family-friendly
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Stagnaro Bros. Seafood (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Stagnaro Bros. Seafood (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Shops & Local Makers
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Marini's at the Beach
Family-run Boardwalk candy shop operating since 1915, known for salt water taffy in many flavors alongside fudge, caramels, hand-dipped nut clusters, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Four generations have kept the sweet tradition going.
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Marini's at the Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Marini's at the Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
Parks, Beaches & Outdoors
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Cowell Beach
Sandy stretch just west of the Wharf, known as a place to learn to surf and paddle, with first-come volleyball courts and views of the pier pilings and the bay.
- Ocean view
- Wildlife
Beach Street west of the Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Cowell Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Cowell Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
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Depot Park
Seven-acre city park on the former railroad depot site, with a playground, picnic area, bike park, and artificial turf soccer fields, plus a public art plaza near the marsh habitat of Neary Lagoon.
Local tip: Dogs must be leashed and are not allowed on the artificial turf.
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
- Bike-friendly
119 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Depot Park (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Depot Park (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
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Main Beach
Wide sandy beach beside the Boardwalk with volleyball courts, summer lifeguards, swimming, and paddling, plus sweeping views across Monterey Bay and the chance to spot local wildlife from the shore.
- Family-friendly
- Ocean view
- Wildlife
Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Main Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Main Beach (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Landmarks & Local Highlights
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Seaside amusement park on Beach Street where the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden coaster and 1911 Looff Carousel, both National Historic Landmarks, share a beachfront with arcades, mini golf, and carnival rides for all ages.
- Family-friendly
- Ocean view
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (opens in a new tab) ↗
Locally owned · Checked
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Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
A long wooden pier reaching into Monterey Bay, the city-run Municipal Wharf holds seafood restaurants, gift shops, and boat rentals, with sea lions often heard and seen from the railings below.
Local tip: The Wharf is open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Coastal walk
- Ocean view
- Wildlife
21 Municipal Wharf (Wharf Headquarters), Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website for Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf (opens in a new tab) ↗ Directions to Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf (opens in a new tab) ↗
Checked
Spotlight 2027 edition. Places are checked against their own websites, most recently in November 2026. Hours and seasons change, so check before you go. Every business listed is locally owned.
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