Retail Leasing Opportunity: 57 Municipal Wharf

The City of Santa Cruz (“City”) is seeking Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to lease a commercial retail space located at 57 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz CA. The commercial retail space is approximately 1,030 square feet and may be reduced or modified during the lease term, to accommodate an upcoming expansion of the adjacent Wharf restrooms. Future plans for square footage and layout will be available in Spring 2026.

The successful Proposer should showcase a creative specialty retail use that features innovative merchandise lines or experiences resulting in unique products, an attractive and comfortable atmosphere, innovative interior design, and a visually appealing storefront.

The City is not necessarily looking to duplicate, replicate or expand on existing retail themes on the Wharf. Respondents should propose concepts that appeal broadly to diverse customer bases, compliment rather than compete with nearby businesses, and provide a memorable experience to potential customers and window shoppers.

The City of Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 and formed its current charter in 1948. It is governed under a Council/Manager form of government. A Mayor and six Council members set policy for the City and a City Manager serves as chief administrator of those policies. The City is located on the coast, 75 miles south of San Francisco on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay.

The City is the primary beach destination for the San Francisco Bay and Central Valley regions and it attracts over 4,000,000 global visitors annually; over half of whom visit the Wharf. It encompasses 15.8 square miles with cultural and ethnic diversity among its population of 65,000.

The Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is the longest wooden ocean pier in the Western Hemisphere and lies atop the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, one of the most biologically diverse hot spots on the planet. In addition to its unparalleled natural beauty, Santa Cruz is a global tourist destination popular for its beaches, recreational opportunities including its distinctive skate and surf culture, music, historical landmarks, and open-minded community.

The City provides a full range of municipal services and facilities including a recreational wharf, public golf course, over thirteen hundred acres of open space, full beach services, refuse management, law enforcement, fire protection, and water and wastewater utilities. The City is also host to University of California Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Harbor, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.