Santa Cruz Harbor

06/12/2026

⚠️ BEACH HAZARDS WARNING ⚠️

Over the past few weeks, law enforcement and fire crews have responded to an increased number of water rescues. With warm weather expected this weekend, beaches across Santa Cruz County are expected to be crowded. Please keep safety a top priority:

•Never turn your back on the ocean.
•Watch for sneaker waves and changing surf conditions. These powerful waves can surge much higher and farther up the beach than expected.
•Know how to recognize and respond to rip currents.
•Keep children within arm’s reach near the water.
•Swim near staffed lifeguard towers whenever possible.
•Stay off rocks, jetties, and driftwood near the surf zone.

Elevated temperatures and a long-period southerly swell are creating dangerous ocean conditions. A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through 9:00 p.m. June 11, with hazardous surf expected through the weekend.
Stay alert, stay informed, and help keep our beaches safe.

05/12/2026

Come experience a unique pop-up event at the Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In collaboration with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, the Santa Cruz Port District will host a free outdoor exhibit featuring historic photographs from the Santa Cruz Harbor archive. The exhibit will showcase images from the harbor’s early years, including construction and dedication-day celebrations.

Whether you have memories of the harbor being constructed or are visiting for the first time, this event is an opportunity to enjoy the area, view historic photographs, and support harbor businesses during the ongoing Murray Street Bridge construction activities.

Harbor Beach Plaza (2222 East Cliff Drive)
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10 AM – 12 PM
Free and open to the public

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/santa-cruz-harbor-pop-up-exhibit-may-16-2026-10-am-12-pm

05/05/2026

Just in time for summer, the newly painted Walton Lighthouse is ready for its close-up 📸🤩

05/01/2026

After three difficult years without a commercial season, salmon is back in Monterey Bay.

This long-awaited reopening marks a major step toward restoring salmon as a cornerstone of our coastal economy. King salmon is one of the most valuable and nutritious fisheries we have - supporting fishermen, processors, harbor infrastructure, and local businesses across the region.

Its return signals resilience, recovery, and real momentum for our working waterfronts.

Wishing the local fleet a safe and successful season - and celebrating the chance to rebuild livelihoods, honor a vital tradition, and once again bring locally caught, sustainably harvested salmon to our tables.

Look for fresh, local king salmon at a market near you!

04/30/2026

👏The 2025-26 dredging season concluded on April 29, 2026. Kudos to the dredge crew for a successful dredging season!

🌊Prior to transiting the entrance, mariners are still advised to check tide and weather conditions, view the entrance sounding online, and know what your vessel draws.

⚓️Entrance soundings will be updated periodically during the offseason and posted on the District’s website:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/entrance-sounding

04/19/2026

03/20/2026

Looking for a summer job? 🌞

Now hiring seasonal, part-time employees for the positions of Parking Control, Operations Assistant, Water Taxi Attendant, and Water Taxi Operator for Spring - Summer 2026.

Link in bio!

02/06/2026

👏 Shout out to Brenda Ramos, Facilities Coordinator for the Santa Cruz Port District, for sharing boater kits and helping protect our waterways through California’s Dockwalker Program. Thank you, Brenda, for supporting a cleaner, greener Santa Cruz Harbor. 🌊♻️

Are you a recreational boater looking for FREE boating pollution prevention resources? ⚓️

Message us or find Brenda at the dock to receive your free kit (just complete a brief survey).

02/03/2026

The Santa Cruz Port District is seeking applications from qualified candidates to lease 1,476 SF of flexible commercial space at 413 Lake Avenue (Suites 101 and 102). This versatile, month-to-month space overlooks the Southeast Harbor and is suitable for a variety of uses including showroom, retail, gallery, studio, office, or workshop operations.

For more information, please visit the District’s website at santacruzharbor.org.

12/10/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, has begun repairs to the West Jetty at Santa Cruz Harbor. The Port District will share updates as they become available. Stay informed here: https://www.santacruzharbor.org/notice-u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-west-jetty-repair-project

⚠️Upcoming Construction – Temporary Impacts to West Jetty at Santa Cruz Harbor

🚧Project: Repairs to the West Jetty at Santa Cruz Harbor
📍Location: West Jetty, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
📅Dates: Dec. 9. 2025 to Feb. 13, 2026
🕒Work Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

About the Project:
The Santa Cruz East and West Jetties were built at the entrance of Santa Cruz Harbor to maintain a stabilized entrance channel. This repair project will focus solely on the West Jetty. Damage to this jetty was observed following extreme winter storm events across the region in December 2022 and January 2023. Storm-induced damages include fracturing of the concrete cap, exposing core stone in the structural prism to wave energy and displacement and loss of existing armor stone along the seaward side. These damages impact the structural integrity of the jetty and safe pedestrian access.

What to Expect:
The entire West Jetty, the parking lot at the end of Atlantic Avenue, the jetty itself, and the Walton Lighthouse will be inaccessible during construction due to safety concerns including weekdays and weekends. Parking may have limited availability. Please pay attention to construction fencing and workers.

Why This Work is Important:
This project will improve the safety of the concrete cap and reinforce the jetty with new armor stone. While short-term inconveniences are expected, the results will benefit the community for years to come.

Please respect posted signs and closures for your safety and the safety of workers. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we make these improvements.