Commencement Parking and Transportation Information

All information subject to change without notice. Expect delays.

2025 commencement will take place on Friday June, 13 through Monday, June 16, 2025. 

This page only addresses parking and transportation for 2025 Commencement. Visit the Commencement page for all other commencement information.

Commencement Parking 

Parking Location

All parking for commencement will be in East Remote Lot (104). 

Parking at UCSC during Commencement Weekend is extremely limited. Due to the large number of people arriving on campus throughout Commencement Weekend, please arrive no earlier than 75 minutes prior to the scheduled ceremony that you are attending.

Guests may walk to the ceremony or celebration from the parking lot, or there will be shuttles regularly traveling between the parking lot and the venue. 

Parking Permits

Commencement ceremonies and celebrations will have virtual parking permits available for purchase beginning May 27, 2025.

• All graduates will be eligible to purchase TWO parking permits per ceremony.
• The first permit will cost $10, and the second will cost $40*.
• All permits must be purchased in advance online.
• You must be a graduate and sign in using your CruzID and Gold password to see the permit options.
• You must enter the vehicle's license plate number when purchasing the permit. 
• Only ONE vehicle will be allowed per permit. 

Permit Restrictions

• Only valid in the East Remote Parking Lot (104).
• Only valid from 90 minutes before the designated ceremony or celebration until one hour after the designated ceremony or celebration. 
• Vehicles parked in other lots or outside the specified time frame for their ceremony or celebration will be subject to citation.

*Proceeds from additional permit sales will be used to offset commencement operation costs.

How to Purchase Commencement Parking Permits

Watch this short video, or follow these steps:

1. Visit ucsc.aimsparking.com.
2. Log in using your CruzID and Gold password. 
3. Select “Order Permits.” 
   1. PLEASE NOTE: Make sure you select "Order Permits" and NOT "Purchase Event Permits." 
4. Review and agree to the Terms of Service.
5. Select “Commencement.”
6. Locate the ceremony and/or celebration for which you would like to purchase permit(s).
7. Select the permit you would like to purchase. 
   • The $10 permit will be formatted as follows: Kresge 3:30 pm-7:30 pm 
   • The $40 permit will be formatted as follows: Kresge Extra 3:30 pm-7:30 pm
8. Add the vehicle information for this permit. 
   • PLEASE NOTE: If you or your guests will be using a rental car to park at commencement, please enter any family vehicle here as a placeholder. You will be able to change this later (see instructions below).
9. Select “Add Permit to Cart.”
10. Enter the contact and billing information for the purchase. 
11.  Select “Checkout” to complete the purchase. You will receive an emailed receipt and confirmation of your purchase. 

Repeat this process for each commencement permit you wish to purchase. You may only purchase one commencement permit at a time.

Changing the License Plate for a Commencement Permit

1. Log in to ucsc.aimsparking.com with your CruzID and Gold password. 
2. Go to “Permits” in the left menu (tap on the three lines at the top to access this menu on mobile)
   • PLEASE NOTE: Do not use the “Vehicles” option to change the license plate for a commencement permit
3. Locate the permit for which you would like to update the vehicle information.
4. Select “View” next to that permit. 
5. Under the license plate, select “Temporary Replacement.” DO NOT use the “Permanent Replacement” option. 
6. Enter the vehicle information for the new vehicle. 
7. Select “Confirm.”
8. The replacement vehicle will be automatically added to the commencement permit. 

Because the graduate will need to be signed in to the system to make any changes to permits, it is essential that they stay in contact with their guests leading up to the ceremony to ensure they are able to park without any complications.

No Permit?

If you do not have a commencement parking permit, you may not be able to park on campus. 

ADA Accessible Commencement Parking

There will be a designated parking area for those with a DMV-issued parking placard or plate.

A van service will be available to transport those who use a wheelchair or who are unable to ascend a shuttle with three steps to the ceremony. The van can accommodate the individual in need and one additional person. All others in the party must use a general Commencement shuttle. Vans will pick up and drop off near the designated parking area. 

Wheelchairs will be available to borrow at the venue for those who need further assistance to seating locations. Please be prepared to issue a valid photo ID in order to borrow a wheelchair. The ID will be returned when the wheelchair is brought back.  

Designated Ride Share Drop-off

Those accessing campus via ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft will be directed to the designated drop-off location at Quarry Plaza. 

RV and Oversized Vehicle Parking

Oversized vehicles such as RVs, limos or trailers must park at the base of campus in the Barn Theater parking lot 122 and will require a valid commencement parking permit. Your permit must be visible on the dashboard of your vehicle or it will be subject to citation. After you park, use the crosswalk to cross Coolidge Drive and board a fare-free METRO bus at the Main Entrance shuttle stop.

Follow Staff Directions

Commencement-designated roadways and parking lots are subject to change based on conditions. University Police and Event Parking staff will be posted at most intersections and in parking lots; please follow their direction. Do not attempt to park elsewhere or ignore instructions.

Directions to Campus:

Note: If you are using an app or GPS for directions, please use the links below or type in “East Remote Parking.” 

Directions on Google Maps

Directions on Apple Maps

From Highway 1/Mission Street in Santa Cruz, take Bay Drive north towards campus. Continue up Coolidge Drive .42 miles and turn left at the second stoplight onto Hagar Drive. Proceed on Hagar Drive .67 miles and turn into East Remote Lot (104). 

Other Transportation

Santa Cruz METRO Bus

Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) buses on routes 11, 18, 19, and 20 to and from the UCSC campus are fare-free and travel from Downtown Santa Cruz to campus; routes and schedules are available at www.scmtd.com.

BCycle Bikes

Located throughout Santa Cruz and at the main entrance to campus, BCycle bikes are on-demand, pay-per-use electric bicycles. Ride from Downtown Santa Cruz to Campus and continue to the East Remote Lot, or dock your bike at the base of campus and take a METRO bus to the Ath-Rec transit stop.

Weather Tip

Commencements take place in open air venues and involve prolonged exposure to the elements—often heat. We recommend sunscreen, hats, and reusable water containers.

For Students, Staff, and Faculty

UCSC affiliates coming to campus for reasons other than Commencement should be aware that the East Remote Lot (104) and the East Field House Lot (103A) will be restricted to those with commencement permits only. Please consider telecommuting during commencement or consider using alternative transportation to get to campus.