On-campus housing (including room and meals) will be provided to confirmed participants who have applied for and received support.
Alternatively, here are a few in-town options:
The closest airports are
San Jose (SJC), a 45-min drive away.
San Francisco (SFO), a 1hr15-min drive away.
Uber and Lyft work well to come to and from Santa Cruz from either airport.
The Santa Cruz Metro Splash app (Apple Store) (Google Play): I highly recommend you download this app in case you need to take a bus. Although cash should work to hop on a bus, the app is a convenient option. Buses run frequently to downtown and back to campus every 10-15 minutes, notably routes 11, 18, 19 and 20. The bus map including real-time bus location can be found here.
bcycle is the local bike rental app, convenient for a short rental.
Uber and Lyft work locally, however one should be warned that there can be shortages of drivers. If you need a timely ride, it is recommended to schedule it in advance.
The region is nothing short of things to explore. If you have questions, please ask!
Among landmarks to look for:
Highway 1
Santa Cruz beach boardwalk
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Whale-watching
Carmel
Big-Sur
For adventures closer to campus:
There are many beaches in town, here are some highlights:
Honorable mention to:
Santa Cruz is surrounded by farms, making the locally sourced produce prominent in local menus.
Restaurants:
Cafes:
Breweries
Honorable mention:
If you have questions about something that is not on here, please email us!