Santa Cruz Harbor

Santa Cruz Harbor is located between Santa Cruz Beach and Twin Lakes State Beach. The harbor provides over 800 permanent boat slips for both pleasure and commercial vessels. It also has storage for kayaks, rowing shells, paddleboards, and "trailerable" vessels. Visitor berths are available. An RV campground has hook-ups. The harbor is divided into two sections, the southern (or outer) harbor and the north harbor above Murray Street.

A scenic walking trail has historical markers about Monterey Bay. A number of popular restaurants are located around the harbor along with charter boats for fishing and whale watching. A launch ramp is available for an $18 fee. Car top launches are $15. Annual permits available: Launch Fees.

Harbor Activities

Marina Interpretive Walk

A 2-mile path around the harbor with 12 interpretive stations providing information on fishing, local history, nautical facts, the environment, and harbor facts. Walk, jog or bike.

Santa Cruz Rowing Club

The Santa Cruz Rowing Club promotes recreational and competitive open water rowing in the Monterey Bay area. Santa Cruz Rowing Club

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races

Wednesday evenings about 5:30 PM from April to October local sailors compete. Watch the races from harbor restaurants or the beach. Or get out on the water yourself and watch from aboard the Chardonnay II.

Free Water Taxi

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, park in the north harbor spaces and take the water taxi to other harbor destinations. 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Water Taxi Map

Sailing, Sightseeing Tours, and
Whale Watching

Pacific Yachting and Sailing

790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz, CA
(800) 374-2626 or (831) 423-7245
Pacific Yachting and Sailing
Sailing school, skippered charter voyages on Monterey Bay/

O'Neill Yacht Charters

275 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 818-3645   O'Neill Yacht Charters
Sail Monterey Bay in comfort aboard their 65-foot catamaran sailboat.

Chardonnay II

790 Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 423-1213   Chardonnay II
Choose from variety of sailing adventures from Afternoon Pizza Sails to Wildlife/Whale Watching Tours aboard the 60-foot Chardonnay II catamaran.

Santa Cruz Whale Watching

Stagnaro Charter Boats
(800) 979-3370   Santa Cruz Whale Watching
3-4-hour whale, dolphin, and sea life excursions aboard the sleek 60-foot Velocity. Full service galley, interior high back seating, spacious deck.

UC Santa Cruz Community Boating Center

Mariner Park Way, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 425-1164   UCSC Community Boating Center
UCSC Community Boating Center connects students and community members to the Monterey Bay through the sports of sailing, rowing, and kayaking.

Kayaking and Stand-up Paddle Boarding

Kayak Connection

413 Lake Avenue #3, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 479-1121   Kayak Connection
Rentals: Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, boogie boards, wetsuits, gear and accessories
Lessons: Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding

SUP Shack

2214 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA
Located in the Crow's Nest parking lot at the harbor
(831) 464-7467   SUP Shack
Stand-up paddle board rentals, instruction

Covewater Paddle Surf

726 Water Street, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 600-7230   Covewater Paddle Surf
Stand-up paddle board rentals, classes at Santa Cruz Harbor