The City of Santa Cruz is nearing completion of its planned repairs to the municipal wharf, restoring about 40 feet of the section that was swept away in a storm in December 2024. The city is also moving forward with longer-term plans for the historic structure that could begin as early as this fall.
Santa Cruz wharf collapse and harbor damage 2024
Coverage of the Dec. 23, 2024, collapse of the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and swell damage to the Santa Cruz Harbor, and the aftermath.
Posted inLatest News
Newsmakers 2025: A year after wharf collapse, the worker who fell into the ocean is back to business as usual
A year ago, City of Santa Cruz Development Manager Norm Daly plunged into stormy waters when the section of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf he was standing on collapsed. Now, he’s back on the job like nothing ever happened, working to bring the end of the wharf back to life.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A pelagic perspective on the day waves swept away the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf
The collapse of the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, one year ago Tuesday, inspired artist Laurel Bushman to create a comic looking at the event from the point of view of a pair of sea lions.
Posted inLatest News
Construction set to begin on Santa Cruz Wharf after last year’s powerful winter storms
The City of Santa Cruz is beginning another round of repairs at the Santa Cruz Wharf, nearly a year after powerful swells tore off a 150-foot section of the structure.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz Wharf restoration proceeds with $1 million budget-conscious plan
After 15,200 square feet was lost in the December 2024 collapse of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, the city council moved to restore 1,100 square feet for now, while laying the path for additional work as funds become available.
Posted inEnvironment
Sunken crane recovered from the ocean, nearly six months after Santa Cruz wharf collapse
A long-submerged construction crane finally emerged from waters near the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Saturday, nearly six months after a violent winter storm that ripped away 150 feet of the historic pier.
Posted inLatest News
City to retrieve equipment, debris submerged since December wharf collapse this weekend
This weekend, the City of Santa Cruz will clean up heavy equipment and debris that’s been underwater in Monterey Bay since December’s partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
Posted inLatest News
Newsom emergency proclamation opens door for financial help to repair Santa Cruz Wharf, other damage from late December storms
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an emergency proclamation last week in response to the December storms that caused the partial collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf and widespread damage throughout the county. The county will be able to access state financial assistance as well as state personnel, equipment and facilities required for recovery.
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Scarier than COVID’: Wharf collapse cost nearby restaurants hundreds of thousands of dollars
The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf reopened on Jan. 4, 12 days after its partial collapse, but wharf restaurants said that for them, the damage is ongoing. The owners of Stagnaro Brothers, Firefish Grill and Woodies Café lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, in addition to damages from food waste, lost hours and employees. Some restaurants are still listed on Google as “temporarily closed,” leaving owners frustrated.
Posted inLatest News
Stolen sea lion plaque returned to Santa Cruz Wharf after public appeal
An interpretive plaque lost in the Santa Cruz Wharf’s Dec. 23 partial collapse has been recovered thanks to community assistance in identifying suspects spotted transporting the plaque down East Cliff Drive. Local officials offered few details about who stole the plaque or how it was recovered.