Santa Cruz-Wharf/Pier

 Today in June 2021 was a most enjoyable day.  The state relaxed mask mandates a few days ago and many businesses, restaurants, and entertainment/recreation spots have opened up.  Its a Friday that I have taken off from work.  Went out for breakfast, ran some errands and embarked on an 1.25+ hour drive down to Santa Cruz for the beach/boardwalk.  After all that's what most of us go to Santa Cruz for.

Along the way, the car recorded exterior temps of 100 degrees at the peak of noon.  Some congestion on Highway 17 at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains.  It cleared up relatively quickly and it was smooth sailing into the city.  Following Google's directions, I entered the beach/boardwalk area from the north.  Normally, I would exit at Ocean and follow it down to the south side.

I arrived around 1pm and parked in the largest of the parking lots.  By this time it was quite full and entry was delayed until others left to free up spaces. The weather could not be any better.  Mid 70's with a breeze coming in off the ocean.  I was expecting it to be sweltering and humid but I was pleasantly surprised with how comfortable the day was.

Across the street and I am beach side.  As the area is a big draw, it isnt hard to find a bar or restaurant.  A mission style building on the right up ahead being renovated

Some people dont realize that there is pier that juts into the ocean.  Alot like Pier 39 in San Francisco, there are a number of restaurants and souvenir shops atop the pier.

Cars are allowed to drive onto the pier and parking is available. $1 per 20 minutes with a $24 maximum.  In comparison, the lot that I am in is a flat $20 all day.  You get to take in the whole beach/boardwalk as you make your way along.

A smaller expanse of beach on the other side.  Less amenities but it tends to be less crowded. 

The roadway continues on.  Pedestrians and bicyclists make their way along this plain portion.

Before long, parking spaces, restaurants, and retail shops pop up.  Aside from the tourists visiting these establishments, several fisherman park themselves further up hoping to catch something.

Similar to Pier 39, there were a bunch of sea lions that hung around the base of the pier: lounging. cavorting, and barking.  On a previous visit, over 6 years ago, there were numbers that rivaled Pier 39, but the ones in attendance today could be counted 2 hands.

From the pier, you get a great panoramic view of the boardwalk.  From the casino/arcade to mouth of the San Lorenzo river.  All the rides are easily visible from the Pirate Boat, Double Shot, Big Dipper, log flume. etc.

Not alot of wind for sailing.  But a small breeze makes it easier for small craft like kayaks and paddle boards to traverse the water in front of the amusements

Further south along the coast, the land extends with beach front homes

I had seen a few people catching some fish closer towards the end of the pier.  I forget but I believe they said it was some kind of smelt

Speaking of the end of the pier.  The dolphin is the restaurant at the end of the pier.  Like many of the other places to eat, they provide seafood presented in different ways: steamed, grilled, chowder, etc

And what else is at the end of the pier.  For some this may be a godsend.  This is the restroom at the end of the pier.

One would almost think this stretch of beach consists of an arc from north to south.

At the tips of the arcs, light houses stand vigil.  This is the northern light house from the video above.  There are a few people visiting it like its a point of interest thats open to the public

A few fisherman did have luck catching some smelt.  However, there were more empty fish buckets than filled ones.  A couple of people had dropped crab nets in hopes of pulling up some dungeness.  Some of these folks drove and parked on the pier while some probably walked on to the pier.

Random shots of the pier from the pier, and beach/boardwalk