Travel by Air

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.

Ground Transportation

For ground transportation from the airport you can rent a car, take the bus, or hire a shuttle. To get around Santa Cruz, you can call Yellow Cab, (831) 423-1234.

Shuttles:

Blue Water Sedans

UCSC contracts with Blue Water. Please let them know you are with a UCSC Genomics Institute conference and request the UCSC rate.

Early Bird Shuttle

Santa Cruz Airport Flyer

Public Transportation

Highway 17 Express (connects to university through local buses at Santa Cruz Metro Center)

Planning Your Stay

• Visit Santa Cruz County trip planning information

• UCSC campus virtual tour

Driving to Santa Cruz

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 right on Bay Street.

• Take Bay Street all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

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 left on Bay Street and take it all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

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 left on Bay Street and take it all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

Driving from Airports

From the San Jose Airport:

• 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 left on Bay Street and take it all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

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 intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

Alternative routes:

• 380 west to 280 south to 85 south to 17 south (see directions from San Jose Airport)

• 380 west to 280 south to 17 south (see directions from San Jose Airport)

• 101 south to 92 west to 1 south

San Francisco International Airport map

From the Oakland Airport:

• 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 left on Bay Street and take it all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.

Oakland International Airport map

From the Monterey Airport:

• 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 left on Bay Street and take it all the way to the intersection of E. Cliff Drive. The Dream Inn is just to the left.