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Santa Cruz-a-palooza (Part 3: The Wharf & Marine Sanctuary)

Posted by Jody on May 15, 2013

The Santa Cruz Wharf

Sunset at the Santa Cruz Wharf

A view toward Cowell Beach,Santa Cruz, California

Basking in the Morning Sun

Sea Lion on the Crossbeams Beneath the Santa Cruz Wharf

Looking Beneath the Wharf (Sea Lion on the Crossbeam)

Sunset on the Wharf: The Santa Cruz Wharf also features restaurants, gift shops and boat rentals.

Cute Coastal Critters (Santa Cruz, California)

Friends

Santa Cruz Main Beach to the Santa Cruz Wharf

Lifeguard Headquarters, Santa Cruz Wharf

A Quiet View

“Sea Lions Just Stopping By” the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Benches Line the Santa Cruz Wharf

Rental Kayaks on the Santa Cruz Wharf

The Santa Cruz Wharf on California’s Central Coast  ~A quiet midweek in early May~

At 2,745 feet in length, the wooden Santa Cruz Wharf is the longest pier on the West Coast of the USA.

Greg and I had the best time exploring the Santa Cruz Wharf. We could hear the California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) barking from the beach, but we didn’t spot the first set of these noisy critters until we got to the very end of the wharf. The next morning, there were quite a few sea lions out enjoying the sunshine on the deck alongside the wharf’s waterside stairs. They were quite active and very entertaining!

About the marine sanctuary aspect of the Santa Cruz Wharf:

“The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is a Federally protected marine area offshore of California’s central coast. Stretching from Marin to Cambria, the MBNMS encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 6,094 square miles of ocean. Supporting one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, it is home to numerous mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants in a remarkably productive coastal environment. The MBNMS was established for the purpose of resource protection, research, education, and public use of this national treasure. The MBNMS is part of a system of 13 National Marine Sanctuaries and one marine national monument, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

Source: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

~~~

More helpful links~ The City of Santa Cruz: The Santa Cruz Wharf

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Marine Protected Areas and the California Marine Life Protection Act

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This entry was posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:00 PM and is filed under Beach and Coastal Wildlife, Northern California Beaches, Sea Lions and Seals. Tagged: beach, California Central Coast, California Sea Lions, Marine Protected Area, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, pier, Santa Cruz Wharf, Zalophus californianus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “Santa Cruz-a-palooza (Part 3: The Wharf & Marine Sanctuary)”

1. Santa Cruz, California (Photos) | Saunsea said

   May 15, 2013 at 6:32 PM

   […] Santa Cruz-a-palooza (Part 3: The Wharf & Marine Sanctuary) (beachtreasuresandtreasurebeaches.com) […]

   Reply
   • 

     Jody said

     May 15, 2013 at 6:39 PM

     Thanks for sharing!

     Reply
2. 

   Marianne said

   May 15, 2013 at 6:38 PM

   A gorgeous blue sky! I like your mosaic of photos.

   Blessings,
   Marianne xo

   Reply
   • 

     Jody said

     May 15, 2013 at 6:42 PM

     Thank you! The hardest part of putting the mosaic together is picking the best photos to share! xo

     Reply
3. 

   Maryanne said

   June 7, 2013 at 10:53 AM

   I love the close up of the sea lion! So adorable. Lucky you got so close to him 😉

   Reply
   • 

     Jody said

     June 7, 2013 at 11:06 AM

     Thank you! They were just hanging out alongside the wharf. It almost seemed as if they were posing for the tourists!

     Reply

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