The 1700-foot breakwater guarding the north side of the Harbor was built during the early 1930s by the Army Corps of Engineers. A wharf was later constructed over the breakwater and is used as home port for the 110-foot U.S. Coast Guard Cutter LONG ISLAND.

The U.S. Coast Guard small boats are located in small boat slips on the shore side of the wharf on the east side of the breakwater. U.S. Coast Guard Station Monterey facilities are located between Lighthouse and Foam Streets off of Reeside Avenue. Personnel from the Station provide 24-hour emergency service. The U.S. Coast Guard Station monitors VHF channel 16 around-the-clock. The Monterey Fire Boat also is stationed here. The boat helps protect the harbor's 90,000 sq ft and nearly 600 boats. 

Public access to the U.S. Coast Guard Wharf is permitted from sunrise to sunset and fishing is permitted on the north side of the breakwater. This is one of the City's great sites for wildlife viewing including the rich seabird rookery, sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters.