Art was on exhibit on a small plaza a the foot of the wharf and overlooking the beach.

Several small creeks feed into Monterey Bay from Santa Cruz. Here kids play in the warm sand above one creek, as the afternoon began to wane.

Santa Cruz is home to a great deal of surfing activity. Although the afternoon was fading, many were still out in the surf practicing.

The larger waves were present on the western side of the Wharf. The Wharf itself served as a breakwater to protect the boardwalk side to the east.

The shape of the beach and the angle of its sandy floor combined to create a routinely good surfing experience.

Here a short board was being carried back to shore. A short board is more responsive than a long board. The short board allows for acrobatic maneuvers and turns, but is more difficult to learn.

Here a small, seven or eight foot wave brakes and curls over just like its huge brethren.

Two surfers caught a wave as it was just starting to form. This place where waves form for riding is called the "lineup." The area from the beach to the lineup is called the, "crash zone."

The lower surf was to the east of the Wharf. That is, to the side with the boardwalk.

A gull loitered near the high water mark. An egret was actively seeking food further out.

The boardwalk, with its carousel and roller coaster, was only partly open during the week so early in the season. The arcade was open, but the rides were closed.

An attraction since 1865 (only a bath house then), the boardwalk now features many carnival rides. The public beach runs all along its front.

Sunset was still early at the end of winter. The beach and boardwalk as seen from the Wharf.