Santa Cruz is located at the north end of Monterey Bay on the Central California coast, approximately 75 miles south of San Francisco. Getting here is easy since several major highways run to Santa Cruz, and the San Francisco, San Jose, and Monterey international airports are all nearby.
Maps of UC Santa Cruz
- Campus map – Get a feel for the lay of the land before you step foot on campus.
- Printable PDF maps of campus.
Directions to Santa Cruz
From Southern and Central California:
Take Highway 101 north to Highway 156 west to Highway 1 north. Follow Highway 1 north to Santa Cruz.
From Northern California:
Take Interstate 5 south to Interstate 80 west to Interstate 680 south which becomes Interstate 280 north. Then take Highway 17 south to Santa Cruz, then Highway 1 north.
From San Francisco Airport:
Take Highway 101 south to Highway 85 south, to Highway 17 south to Santa Cruz, then Highway 1 north.
From San Jose Airport:
Take Interstate 880 which becomes Highway 17 south to Santa Cruz, then Highway 1 north.
From Monterey Airport:
Take Highway 1 north to Santa Cruz.
Directions to Campus
Once you’re in Santa Cruz on Highway 1 north, continue as it becomes Mission Street through town. Turn right on Bay Street and follow it to the campus entrance.