Description: Join us for a casual 1-2 mile walk in the community and practice your Orientation and Mobility skills! Enjoy the sounds of nature as you learn pointers and tips of safe travelling.

Date: September 10 (Second Thursday of each month)

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM. RAIN WILL CANCEL WALK. Return pickup time should be 11:45 or later.

Location: Wharf entrance plaza near the roundabout (Beach Street and Pacific Avenue).

We will begin here, walk all the way out to the end, and then make our return trip back to the entrance. For those who would like to stay and socialize after the walk, we will end our outing at Ideal Bar & Grill for lunch together.

Registration: Required

Trail Details:

Join us for A Walk in the Park outing as we trade the green park trails for the open ocean air, heading out along the length of the historic Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. Extending nearly three-quarters of a mile into Monterey Bay, this out-and-back route offers a rich, tactile, and sensory journey over the Pacific Ocean, covering approximately 1.4 miles in total.

The Footing & Path:

Starting from the paved entrance near Beach Street, the entire walking surface is smooth and flat. The path transitions between heavy, wooden planking and paved sidewalks lining the fronts of the shops and restaurants. The wide, flat terrain provides a clear shoreline for shore-following and cane navigation, with a steady, rhythmic ocean breeze guiding the way.

The Ocean Atmosphere:

As we move farther from shore, the ambient sounds of beachside traffic quickly fade, replaced by the deep, rhythmic crash of surf breaking against the pilings below. A fresh, salty marine breeze carries the unmistakable scents of creosote-treated timber, ocean spray, and kelp beds, with a noticeable drop in air temperature as we reach deeper water.

The Soundscape of the Sea Lions:

Midway down the wharf, long before you reach the viewing cutouts, the unmistakable chorus of California sea lions fills the air. Their resonant barks, grunts, and splashings reverberate up through the structure from the lower platforms where they rest, creating a vivid acoustic landmark.

Culinary Aromas:

 Reaching the expanded end of the wharf brings a rich blend of scents from local seafood markets and eateries, steamed clam chowder in sourdough bowls, fried fish, and sweet roasted garlic mingling with the ocean breeze.

Please RSVP below if you plan to attend.