Can I sleep in my car near the Santa Cruz harbor?

It seems like a lot of surfers sleep in their cars along highway 1 outside of town, but is it legal to sleep in a car in town, say, close to the harbor? My car is small, but actually comfortable for sleeping. So, I was thinking I might sleep near the harbor to avoid waking up my family (and others in my neighborhood) when I leave at 4:00am…

Only a law-abiding man worries about abiding with the law... 

By that I mean the only person who gunna sweat the lawfulness of sleeping in ur car for a few hours is prolly only u

Only a law-abiding man worries about abiding with the law... 

By that I mean the only person who gunna sweat the lawfulness of sleeping in ur car for a few hours is prolly only u

OK, but I'd still be interested to know, just for the record. As I understand it, there is no car-sleeping restriction at the state level in CA, but there are some local restrictions. From what I see on the Internet (which never lies), the SCPD used to be pretty aggressive wrt not allowing people to sleep in cars (which might explain why the surfer-sleepers are so common outside the city limits), but have recently become much less so.

When the X-man sailed his TI across the bay from SC to Monterey, he left is car parked near the harbor for a couple of days. When I asked about leaving a vehicle parked along the street, I was told that nothing would happen for at least 72 hours, and then only if somebody complained. But, that's not quite the same as catching some Z's...

One morning awoke from the vehicle and perused the sand. A glorious day ensued. Actually can't think of many days that it wasn't really worth it.. van life 

One morning awoke from the vehicle and perused the sand. A glorious day ensued. Actually can't think of many days that it wasn't really worth it.. van life 

Yes! And I don't even have a van...

A while back I had a coworker who lived in his truck. He said that as long as law enforcement cannot see you, and you don't answer if they knock nothing will be done. He rolled up his windows on blankets that hung down, and fashioned cardboard in the front, and rear windows.

 

Just to test it out, last night I gave it a try, sleeping in my car on the west side of the harbor, near the "A" dock. No problem at all, except that now I want to buy a boat and live in it at the harbor. Unfortunately, there's no chance that I'll ever convince my wife of that...

Been checking out liveaboard situations and boats.  I think it would be fun for a summer to moor outside the wharf and fish all the time. 

Been checking out liveaboard situations and boats.  I think it would be fun for a summer to moor outside the wharf and fish all the time. 

I keep pointing out to my wife how cheap boats are compared to houses…

i sleep in my boat in the launch parking lot. as long as you pay overnight parking pass i don't think they care

i sleep in my boat in the launch parking lot. as long as you pay overnight parking pass i don't think they care

I didn’t know there’s an overnight parking pass. I’ll probably get an annual pass, and I assume that’ll work…

You should be OK check your PM

i sleep in my boat in the launch parking lot. as long as you pay overnight parking pass i don't think they care

I didn’t know there’s an overnight parking pass. I’ll probably get an annual pass, and I assume that’ll work…

I'd check on that because its normally 30 bucks

Sometimes a good bet is the local hospital, sometimes safeway allows in there lots, give it a try, Ron.