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Coastal Science Campus

Parking Permit Requirements
UCSC parking permits are required to park at the Coastal Science Campus weekdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm, excepting holidays. The one exception to this requirement is the small visitor lot near the Coastal Science Campus (CSC) entrance, which provides free three-hour parking to coastal access visitors.

UCSC "A" permits (faculty and staff), "B" permits (graduate students), and "MC" (motorcycle) permits will be valid at most CSC parking lots. Students who work at the Coastal Science Campus or who are currently enrolled in a class there may appeal for a "C" permit valid in lots 205 or 206 near the Coastal Biology Building. "R" permits will not be valid. UCSC affiliates and visitors to the CSC site may use ParkMobile in Lot 206 ($1.50/hour or $9/day).

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Parking Permit Required)
EV charging stations are located in Seymour Center Lot 201, and in Coastal Biology Lot 205.

During enforcement hours (8:00am–5:00pm, Monday–Friday), users who are actively charging or plugged in at an EV charging station must display a UCSC parking permit valid for the date and time they are charging. Once charging is complete, vehicles should be moved to an appropriate parking lot and/or parking space, depending on the type of permit displayed on the vehicle. Please note: the EV Charging Station spaces are reserved for that purpose at all times; UCSC permits are required only during enforcement hours.

Metro Bus Service
SCMTD METRO Route 20 buses currently operate to the Coastal Science Campus. All METRO buses are equipped with front-mounted racks that accommodate three bicycles.

Coastal Science Campus Parking Map 

Details by Lot

Seymour Center lot (#201)

  • Coastal access visitors may park for up to three hours by buying a permit at the paystation.
  • UCSC A, B, or C permits are valid.
  • Departmental visitors may use the paystation to pay directly, or may display a departmental guest parking permit.
  • No overnight parking allowed.

LML Service lot (#202): Limited access for Disabled visitors and UC vehicles.

Center for Ocean Health lot (#203): A and B permits or departmental guest permits required.

NOAA gate-controlled parking lot: Access limited to authorized NOAA affiliates only.

Greenhouses lot (#204): A and B permits or departmental guest permits required.

Coastal Biology lot (#205): A and B permits or departmental guest permits required.

Surge Lot (#206)

  • A, B, or C permits or departmental guest permits required.
  • NOAA affiliates unable to park in the NOAA lot can purchase A permits for Lot #206.
  • ParkMobile available for visitors and affiliates.
  • Staff/faculty that oversee field trips may email taps@ucsc.edu with license plate numbers at least 5 days in advance to request a do-not-cite for student vehicles

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) parking lot: Access limited to authorized CDFW affiliates and guests.

Kiosk lot (#207)

  • Free three-hour parking for coastal visitors.
  • No permit parking allowed.
  • No overnight parking allowed. 

See Also