Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor, commonly referred to as Santa Cruz Harbor, is a prominent maritime facility in Santa Cruz, California, built on the historical site of Woods Lagoon. Established between 1962 and 1963, this harbor serves a dual role, straddling the city limits of Santa Cruz and unincorporated Santa Cruz County. It is partitioned into the Seabright neighborhood to the west and extends into the east side of the city.

Santa Cruz Harbor comprises two distinct areas: the south ("lower") and north ("upper") harbors, each tailored to specific marine activities. The first-built lower harbor slips up to 60 feet and splits into east and west sides. The west side includes docks AA, A–F, and FF, facilities for sailboats, dry storage, a hoist launch, a minor Coast Guard facility, and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club. The east side features docks L–T, harbor offices, a boatyard, a launch ramp, and the main fuel dock, and is the primary location for the commercial fishing fleet with fish off-loading facilities. A water taxi connects the east and west during summer.

The upper harbor, set apart by two fixed bridges on Murray Street and a railroad line, primarily accommodates powerboats and smaller sailboats that can navigate under these bridges by lowering their masts. This area includes docks G–J and U–X, offering slips up to 45 feet, and features the harbor's maintenance base, two dry storage areas, and an RV park.

Access to the diverse facilities of the Santa Cruz Harbor is available via several avenues, including Seabright and Atlantic Avenues for the lower harbor, and 7th Avenue for the upper harbor. This accessibility and its comprehensive amenities make Santa Cruz Harbor a vital hub for boating and marine-related activities, serving both the local community and visitors.