The Santa Cruz Harbor is situated within Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...

 city limits, on the site of the former Woods Lagoon. Built in 1962 - 1963, it houses approximately 1,000 boats.

History

Between 1958 and 1960, the State Department of Parks and Recreation began acquiring land for the harbor itself and its supporting parking and concession areas. In 1962, Congress appropriated $1.6 million for jetty

Jetty

A jetty is any of a variety of structures used in river, dock, and maritime works that are generally carried out in pairs from river banks, or in continuation of river channels at their outlets into deep water; or out into docks, and outside their entrances; or for forming basins along the...

construction and the dredging of the original south harbor basin. Construction actually began on the south harbor in 1962, with the facility being completed in 1964. 360 slips were dedicated. On March 11, 2011, Santa Cruz harbor was struck by a tsunami from the 8.5 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan.

Governance

The Santa Cruz Harbor is governed by five Commissioners who are elected to four year terms. Elections are held for either 2 or 3 of the Commission positions each November (California Harbors & Navigation Code §6240.5). The Commissioners in turn select a Port District Director who runs the affairs of the Harbor. Lisa Ekers is the current Port District Director, she was preceded by Rick Smith, and Brian Foss.