Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz

Like the nearby Boardwalk, this spot is so quintessentially Santa Cruz that you almost cannot miss it when you visit. Unlike the Boardwalk, the Municipal Wharf can be a far more pleasant experience. If you want to be surrounded by the ocean and see it from a different vantage point without taking a dip in the frigid water, this is the ideal spot to do so, no matter what time of year. The views of the town and sea alike are incredible, and you will likely see surfers.

Take a stroll down the wharf and you will get the classic souvenir shops (did I mention this was a tourist stop?), a handful of seafood restaurants (none of which I have personally tested) and an art gallery. There is also a boat rental shop. However, there are NO coffee shops, so caffeinate before venturing out if that floats your boat.

While this is no Santa Monica Pier, this is a great spot to check out the sun, the surf, and the sand without getting wet. I cannot remember if parking is free or not.