The UCSC campus occupies 2,000 acres on the west side of the city of Santa Cruz, on Monterey Bay, about 75 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles southwest of San Jose. Expansive meadows at the campus entrance gradually slope up to a redwood forest that covers most of the site. The city of Santa Cruz is a well-known recreational area and center for the arts with many natural organic stores that offer a variety of goods. Mild weather, miles of beaches, and many cultural opportunities combine to make Santa Cruz an enjoyable place to study and live.
To get to UCSC take US 280 or CA 101 to US 880 or CA 17 south. Take CA 17 south to Santa Cruz, then CA 1 north to Bay St. Turn right on Bay which will take you to the base of campus. One can also come south on CA 1 to Bay. There is very limited metered parking, or one can purchase a day permit at the parking office near the base of campus for the "A" lots closest to PSL (see map).
