Note: If you or your intended guests have had any influenza-like symptoms within the last seven days, we are asking that you reschedule your visit until the fever has been gone for 24 hours. Thank you for helping us keep our campus safe and healthy. For more details, please refer to UC Santa Cruz - H1N1 Flu: Helping you stay informed … and healthy.

Q: How do I get to UC Santa Cruz?
A: Via car

Click here for our maps and directions web site.

If you are using an online service to get directions, enter the following address for UC Santa Cruz: 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.

If you're driving from Southern and Central California and:

You're closer to HWY 5: Take Route 5 North to Route 46 West to HWY 101 North. At Salinas, take route 183 West to Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

If you're closer to HWY 101 North: Take HWY 101 North, to Route 183 West to Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

From Northern California take Route 5 South to Route 80 West to Route 680 South to Route 280 North, then take Highway 17 South to Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

From the San Francisco Airport , take 380 West to 280 South to Route 85 South to Highway 17 South to Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

From the San Jose Airport take Route 880 South to Highway 17 South to Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

From the Monterey Airport take Route 1 North to Santa Cruz.

Once in Santa Cruz , exit Highway 1 North towards Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Stay in right lane, turn right onto Mission Street (which is also Highway 1 North). Follow Mission for a little over 1 mile. Turn right on Bay Street. Continue on Bay for a little over 1 mile. Bay runs right into main entrance of campus-at the intersection of Bay and High Streets.

Check-in will take place at the Cook House Visitor Center, located at the base of campus. Enter the main entrance of the campus at the intersection of Bay and High Streets. Proceed onto the campus on Coolidge Drive. The Cook House Visitor Center is the red building that will be the second one on your left after entering campus. Park in the lot directly to the right of the Cook House Visitor Center. Upon entering, go upstairs to check in for your campus tour or to receive self-guided tour information.

For local transportation information, Cal Trans traffic reports, etc., please visit Santa Cruz Transit Information.

For information about traveling between UCSC and various common destinations, including the local airports, please visit our Travel Connections site.

From the San Jose Train Depot

If you are coming into the San Jose Train Depot via Amtrak or CalTrain, you can take the Amtrak bus, which will transport you directly from the San Jose Train Depot to the Santa Cruz Metro bus station. These buses operate daily. One way fare is $6.00; roundtrip fare is $12.00. At the Santa Cruz Metro station you will want to connect to one of the University bus lines, which will take you directly up to the UC Santa Cruz campus and costs $1.50.

Q: How do I arrange a campus tour?
A: The Office of Admissions offers campus tours year-round on weekdays. Reservations are required, and tours fill early (especially during spring holidays). The easiest and most convenient way to make a reservation is online.

If you don't have access to the Internet, you can also make a reservation over the phone by calling (831) 459-4008 (plan to call in advance).

Transfer Information Sessions
For prospective junior transfer students and their families, we offer transfer information sessions on selected Fridays. This is your chance to sit down with a small group and have your junior transfer-related questions answered by an adviser in the Office of Admissions. Please note that pre-evaluations of transcripts are not available as part of the session. Please sign up for transfer information sessions online.

Q: Can I talk to an adviser during my visit?
A: An adviser is available to answer your questions. If you need further information, please phone Admissions at (831) 459-4008. We will be glad to refer you to the academic departments or other offices on campus that can advise you further. If you live in California, we encourage you to contact your Regional Admissions Representative for more information. Find the Regional Admissions Representative for your county here. If you are a non-California resident, please call (831) 459-4008 to contact the Office of Admissions for further information.

Q: What if I can't get to UC Santa Cruz on a weekday?

Visitor Guide and Self-Guided Tour: UCSC publishes a Visitor Guide, which includes parking information, maps of the campus and the Santa Cruz area, information on activities and attractions in the area, and a list of local accommodations. The Visitor Guide includes three self-guided tours of the campus.

You can download the Visitor Guide, pick up a copy at the Admissions Outreach Office, or request one by e-mailing admpubs@ucsc.edu.

If you are only interested in a self-guided tour, UCSC also publishes an online-only Self-Guided Tour, including a map of campus, which you can download and print out. UCSC does not produce printed copies of this publication.

Q: What do the campus tours offer?
A: Campus tours are approximately one hour and forty-five minutes long and combine walking and shuttle transportation throughout the 2,000-acre campus. Tours are led by current UC Santa Cruz students who are extremely knowledgeable about the campus and its programs.

All Tours include a 30-40-minute Admissions information session prior to the tour.

Tours include a moderate to vigorous amount of walking, so we recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and layer your clothing to accommodate possible fluctuations in temperature.

If you have disability-related needs, we ask that you notify the Office of Admissions when making your reservation so that we may make arrangements to provide you with an enjoyable campus tour experience.

Q: Will the guide be able to answer my specific questions about my course of study?
A: Although the campus tour guides are extensively trained to have a general base of information on UC Santa Cruz, they are not experts in every one of our approximately 60 majors.

If you want information about a specific program that UC Santa Cruz offers, we recommend that upon making your reservation, ask for the telephone number of the department you're interested in. You may receive additional advising from the departments directly.

Q: What overnight lodgings are available in Santa Cruz?
A: University Inn and Conference Center is a convenient, affordable hotel in Santa Cruz. Amenities include Continental breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, an exercise room, and free in-room movies. The facility, which is leased by UC Santa Cruz, also serves as a residence hall for students during the academic year.

For other accommodations, please contact the Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors’ Council.

Q: What else can I do while in Santa Cruz?
A: On Campus