Transportation and Parking Information for Parents of Students

Freshmen/Sophomore Parking Prohibition

First and second-year students with less than 90 units that reside in University housing facilities, including University Town Center, are not eligible to purchase a permit (except motorcycle permits) to park on–campus. Get detailed information about the Residential Freshmen/Sophomore parking prohibition [more].

Off Campus Parking Lots

UCSC prefers that students who are not eligible to purchase an on–campus parking permit not bring vehicles to Santa Cruz unless advance arrangements for paid long–term parking off–campus are made. Residential streets near campus and in downtown Santa Cruz have strictly enforced parking permit requirements managed by the City of Santa Cruz Permit Parking Program. Get detailed information about off-campus parking lots [more].

Move In Parking

All new student residents should receive instructions from their colleges about their Move In day process. Please read that information for details about your assigned Move In time. Each College issues a “Move In Pass” to serve as both a temporary parking pass to allow you to unload vehicles near dorms, and a remote parking permit for your assigned Move In day only. This “Move In Pass” is only valid in parking lots posted “Move In." After Move In weekend is over, these passes will no longer be valid. Do not contact TAPS regarding Move In parking passes; contact your student's college (i.e. Porter, Merrill, Kresge, etc).

Airport Shuttle Information

Get detailed information on Airport Shuttles that offer service to and from UC Santa Cruz [more].

LA Turkey and Polar Express Buses

UCSC OPERS provides buses that take students from campus to the Los Angeles area for the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. The four Los Angeles drop-off points are L.A. Valley College, East L.A. College, UCLA, and UC Irvine. Online reservations begin in September at www.ucscrecreation.com. For information call Matt Brower at 831/459-2807.

Visitor Parking

Visitors and guests may purchase one-day temporary parking permits at the Main Entrance Kiosk (located just inside the campus main entrance [map]) from 7:00am to 1:00pm on weekdays. From 1:00pm to 5:00pm permits must be purchased at the TAPS Sales Office (map). One-Day temporary permits cost $6.00; One-Night parking permits cost $3.00. Visitors that want to purchase temporary permits for more than one day, for up to a maximum of three consecutive days, must do so at the TAPS Sales Office (map). Sales Office hours are 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. A picture ID is required at the time of purchase. If you know the campus location you plan to visit send an email inquiry in advance of your visit to obtain more information on guest and visitor parking availability for a specific area.

Commencement Parking

Each graduate receives two commencement parking permits (general or disabled) from their college, as well as specific information about the location and time of their ceremony. Do not contact TAPS regarding commencement parking passes; contact your student's college (i.e. Porter, Merrill, Kresge, etc).

Commencement ceremonies take place on either the east or west side of campus. Be sure to ask your graduate which side of campus their commencement ceremony takes place, and follow the “EAST” or “WEST” commencement directional signs when you arrive at UCSC.