Santa Cruz Harbor parking/launch-paying changes. Same fees.

Looks easier to me, but same prices, I think. They've installed central pay stations and taken out the meters on the west (yak launches) side.  And instead of filling out envelopes and having the exact cash, you can use your card (or cash).  And the station dispenses the permits to launch.  $1/hr to park car, or $5 all day. $10 to park and launch, or $5 to launch only. Additonal kayak launches are $5 each.   The station is out in the middle of the whole lot at the Aldo's area, and near the sidewalk and a little toward the Velocity at the launch near the bridge.
   I didn't see anything about season permits. If they still have those, maybe you get them at the Harbor office.
 
   

Hi Tom, I can add that the annual launch permits are available at the harbor office -$250. 

Thanks for the update on the parking Fuzzy Tom, kind of hard to write on the envelops when theres no pen or pencil available

Thanks for the heads up. I'm planning to launch there for the first time Sunday. Looking at Google Maps, I could really see a launch ramp on the west side. Do kayaks launch from the boat dock here?
https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B057'50.6%22N+122%C2%B000'09.1%22W/@36.9644474,-122.0019296,258m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

and should I park here?
https://www.google.com/maps/place/36%C2%B057'55.3%22N+122%C2%B000'13.1%22W/@36.96537,-122.003641,2070m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0


Thanks,
ernest

Hi Ernest,
I will call you Saturday to give you the 411. The launch site you have marked is not the one. Parking is done on Atlantic for free and load/unload and launch is done from Mariner Park Way.
Mike

Go south on Seabright, then east(left) on Atlantic, then just before the end (where Aldo's is), left on Mariner Park.  Go to the bottom of the short steep hill where there is a stop sign.  The launch is back towards Aldo's on the flat sidewalk - just to the south of that white rectangle on your picture (kayak shed roof).  The parking is in the lot in front of where you stopped at the bottom of the hill.  You can unload and load in the two spaces right at the stop sign designated for that, or unload elsewhere in the the lot, then park back up the hill on the Atlantic public street.  When you land and load up, there's likely to be an officer driving around giving citations for parking elsewhere in the lot without paying, so be quick about it if the loading zone places are full.
   There is another launch and more parking if you keep driving north just before  the bridge. 
    I know you'll be courteous and not leave your kayak untended on the launch ramp - at least not right in the middle of it, or in the water tied to the float so others can't launch until you return - like those non-NCKA types do.
   Good luck.   
   

I spoke with the attendant yesterday ..Big problems with this new parking deal are expected especially this weekend ..The signs are not visible and tickets will be issued.This is causing massive problems with the sail boat dudes that have customers getting lots of tickets.
                                   NOTE
If you screw up and get a ticket , talk nice with the lady and tell her you had confusion never saw the signs about auto pay and she will take the ticket BACK and charge you the regular fees....best bet is park in the street at the entrance for FREE , we all launch before anyone is parked in the FREE spots and it is FREE , then just pay her on exit for launch fee ,,,if she ask .

then just pay her on exit for launch fee ,,,if she ask .

I'd say build good will and seek her to pay anyways - before she asks you.

then just pay her on exit for launch fee ,,,if she ask .

I'd say build good will and seek her to pay anyways - before she asks you.

I bought a month long launch pass for 25 $ , park in the street . I find that is easiest rout for a regular .

Thanks everyone for chiming in. I think I got it now. If I pay $5, I could park inside the lot, right?

I was just wondering if it is okay to launch kayaks and park on the East side?


thx,
ernest