CAUTION!

Docks severely weakened and damaged by the March 11 tsunami are particularly vulnerable in the heavy swell and surge conditions typical of winter. This winter, please use caution dockside, watch for potential hazards, and report any issues to the harbor office at (831) 475-6161.

Please see the "Tsunami Recovery" section of our website for the latest information on dock reconstruction and repair work.

WELCOME TO THE GATEWAY TO THE MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and harbor staff, I want to welcome you to the Santa Cruz Harbor. Whether you visit the harbor virtually via our website, come to enjoy a meal at one of our great restaurants, or are a long time slip renter, it is our goal to ensure your experience here is both exceptional and unforgettable.

Since the harbor’s forefathers had the vision to create the harbor from what was once the other half of the “Twin Lakes,” generations of locals and visitors alike have experienced the amenities of this amazing place. The harbor is goverened by a commission of five individuals, whose dedicated service is rewarded in our successes, rather than compensated with pay. Each of us takes this responsibility seriously, and the decisions we make help leave the harbor an even better place for future generations to enjoy. As a long time Santa Cruzan, I am honored to play a role in the harbor’s future.  As I kid I fondly remember walking from our family home in the harbor neighborhood to fish from the banks of the harbor.

The harbor is a gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We are proud of the many non-profit companies that have chosen to call the harbor their home.  We are honored to support programs that foster environmental awareness in our youth, such as the O’Neill Sea Odyssey program, and we are especially proud to support UCSC’s remarkable sailing program, which helps create tomorrow’s expert sailors.

The Santa Cruz Harbor provides over 800 permanent slips for commercial and recreational vessels, as well as launching and secure dry storage for trailerable boats, rowing shells and sea kayaks. For coastal mariners, we are a harbor of refuge and offer first-class visitor berthing. Numerous charter operations provide fishing, whale watching, pleasure cruising and sailing instruction opportunities.

Whether you join us for an hour or you live aboard a boat at the harbor, or anywhere in between, I invite you to take advantage of all the harbor’s offerings and give yourself the opportunity to let this wonderful place create your own fond memories.

Chairman
Santa Cruz Port District Commission