University of California Santa Cruz is a residential campus at the north end of Santa Cruz, known for its redwood forests and views. Its interactive map, campus transit and parking information can help you plan a visit; from a two-star hotel in Santa Cruz, the campus is about a 14-minute drive, roughly 2.5 miles away.
- Location: North end of Santa Cruz.
- Campus map: Searchable features and layers include transportation and parking.
- Getting around: Walking, campus shuttles and buses are options.
- Parking: Permit rules depend on the lot; some locations offer ParkMobile parking.
Finding your way around campus
The university’s interactive map helps you find campus features and check transportation and parking layers. You can also use printable campus maps and a Campus Accessibility Map, which includes details such as ADA parking and shuttle stops.
UC Santa Cruz recommends walking to experience the campus, whose redwood forests and views are part of its setting. Shuttles and buses also travel across campus. If you need the university’s Disability Van Service, request a ride through its website and plan your route with the accessibility information in mind.
Campus visitor experiences include art galleries, theaters, the Quarry Amphitheater and special events. For a visit focused on the grounds, planning a UC Santa Cruz campus tour can help you shape your route.
How do you get to UC Santa Cruz from Santa Cruz?
From Highway 1 north, continue on Mission Street, turn right on Bay Street and follow it to the campus entrance. The residential campus sits at Santa Cruz’s north end.
Santa Cruz METRO buses serve routes to and from the residential campus. Check current METRO schedules for service details. For a broader look at local stops and sights, a one-day Santa Cruz itinerary can pair a campus visit with time around downtown and the coast.
What are the UC Santa Cruz visitor parking and transit options?
Parking rules vary by lot: a valid UCSC permit is required in campus spaces that are not designated for ParkMobile.
Some locations offer hourly or daily parking through ParkMobile, so check the current parking map for participating lots and permit-eligible areas. Buying a permit does not guarantee a space in a particular lot, and drivers must find a legal space.
Visitors with DMV-issued accessible placards or plates may park free in DMV-accessible spaces, Medical spaces, ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, and time-zone spaces beyond the posted time. Restrictions apply to reserved spaces and certain permit-only lots.
Campus Transit is fare-free for public visitors to the residential campus. Loop Service circulates around campus: buses depart from the Main Entrance counterclockwise or the Barn Theater clockwise. Schedules can change during breaks, holidays and final exam days; Santa Cruz METRO schedules are the university’s reference for weekend transit service.
Visitor facilities and campus rules
Large vehicles, including buses and limousines, can park only in the Barn Theater lot. Contact the TAPS Event Parking Coordinator at least five business days ahead if you are bringing one.
For parking rules, permit details and transit schedules, check the official site before you go. If you are flying in, the university identifies San Jose Mineta International Airport as the closest airport and San Francisco International Airport as another option for reaching campus.
The airport-to-Santa Cruz trip is a separate part of planning, so the route from San Jose Airport to Santa Cruz may be useful.
Places to visit nearby
Redwood forests are a defining feature of the campus landscape, and walking is one way to take in the setting. The university also lists campus galleries, theaters and the Quarry Amphitheater among its visitor experiences.
UC Santa Cruz is approximately 75 miles south of San Francisco. Within campus, use the map to locate the places you want to see and check transportation layers if you plan to combine stops across the grounds.
FAQs
Where is UC Santa Cruz?
The residential campus is at the north end of Santa Cruz. From Highway 1 north, follow Mission Street and Bay Street to the campus entrance.
Does UC Santa Cruz have a visitor map?
Yes. Its interactive map has searchable campus features and transportation and parking layers. The university also provides printable maps and a Campus Accessibility Map.
Is campus transit free for visitors?
Campus Transit is fare-free for public visitors to the residential campus. Schedules may change during breaks, holidays and final exam days.
Can visitors park on campus?
Yes, but parking requirements depend on the lot. Some spaces require a valid UCSC permit, while some locations offer ParkMobile parking.