Please contact our office for directions to the center (831) 459-1477.
There are three airports in the area. The closest major airport, the San Jose Airport, is approximately 45 miles away. The San Francisco Airport and the Oakland Airport are about 75 miles away. It is also possible to fly into the Monterey Airport, which is about 45 miles away. For ground transportation from the airport you can rent a car, take the bus, or hire a shuttle (Blue Water Sedans or Early Bird Shuttle; the latter does not drive to and from the university). To get around Santa Cruz, you can call Yellow Cab, 831-423-1234.
There are three main driving approaches to Santa Cruz: Highway 1 or Highway 17 from the north and Highway 1 from the south.
From the north via Highway 1:
When you enter Santa Cruz from the north, Highway 1 becomes Mission Street and begins to have traffic signals.
At the third traffic signal, turn left on Bay Street.
Take Bay Street all the way to the main entrance to campus.
From the north via Highway 17:
Take Highway 17 south to Santa Cruz.
Take the exit for Highway 1 north toward UCSC and Half Moon Bay.
At the second traffic light, turn right on Mission Street (an extension of Highway 1 North).
Go through several traffic signals to Bay Street.
Turn right on Bay Street and take it all the way to the main entrance to campus.
From the south via Highway 1:
Take Highway 1 north toward UCSC and Half Moon Bay.
Once you are in Santa Cruz, the freeway becomes a highway. At the second traffic light, turn right on Mission Street (an extension of Highway 1 North).
Go through several traffic signals to Bay Street.
Turn right on Bay Street and take it all the way to the main entrance to campus.
Take Highway 17 south to Santa Cruz.
Take the exit for Highway 1 north toward UCSC and Half Moon Bay.
At the second traffic light, turn right on Mission Street (an extension of Highway 1 North).
Go through several traffic signals to Bay Street.
Turn right on Bay Street and take it all the way to the main entrance to campus.
San Jose International Airport map
From the San Francisco Airport:
The scenic coast route:
Take Interstate 380 west to 280 south.
Take 280 south to 92 west.
Take 92 west to the coast and turn left (south) on Highway 1.
Take Highway 1 to Santa Cruz.
When you enter Santa Cruz, Highway 1 becomes Mission Street and begins to have traffic signals.
At the third traffic signal, turn left on Bay Street.
Take Bay Street all the way to the main entrance to campus.
Alternative routes:
San Francisco International Airport map
Take Interstate 880 south to Santa Cruz (it becomes Highway 17 in Los Gatos).
Take the exit for Highway 1 north toward UCSC and Half Moon Bay.
At the second traffic light, turn right on Mission Street (an extension of Highway 1 North).
Go through several traffic signals to Bay Street.
Turn right on Bay Street and take it all the way to the main entrance to campus.
Oakland International Airport map
Take Fred Kane Drive out of the airport.
Turn right on the Monterey Salinas Highway (CA 68 West).
Merge onto Highway 1 north toward UCSC and Half Moon Bay.
Once you are in Santa Cruz, the freeway becomes a highway. At the second traffic light, turn right on Mission Street (an extension of Highway 1 North).
Go through several traffic signals to Bay Street.
Turn right on Bay Street and take it all the way to the main entrance to campus.
For a listing of local hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts, go to Santa Cruz County Lodging Search. One popular place to stay is the beach-front hotel, The Dream Inn, 175 West Cliff Drive. If you stay at the Dream Inn, you get to campus by taking Bay Street, which is the road that heads away from the bay right by the hotel.