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Santa Cruz Yacht Club
244 4th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 425-0690
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    Question: Which airport is closest?

    Answer: San Jose (SJC) is the closest major airport to Santa Cruz. San Francisco (SFO) is about 30 minutes drive further north, and Oakland (OAK) is about 45 minutes drive further north-east. Monterey Peninsula (MRY) is a small airport about an hour south of Santa Cruz.

    Question: How do I get from the San Jose (SJC) or San Francisco (SFO) Airports to Santa Cruz?

    Answers:

    1. Rental

    2. Santa Cruz Airport Shuttle Services

      There are shuttle services that will pick you up at the airport and take you to Santa Cruz. They both pick up passengers at San Jose (SJC) and San Francisco (SFO) airports.

    • Surf City Airporter (831) 419-2642

    • Early Bird Airport Shuttle (831) 462-3933

    3. Santa Cruz Limousine Services

      There are three Limousine services in Santa Cruz that provide airport pickup. The advantage of these services is they will pick you up at a prearranged time. This means you don't have to wait an hour or two for the next shuttle to arrive. If you travel alone this will cost about twice the price of a shuttle. If you travel with another person, the fees are about the same as a shuttle with faster service. For the best prices ask for "Town Car" service.

    • ABC Sedans and Limousines (831) 477-0170

    • Cornerstone Airport Express (831) 477-0980

    • Millennium Limousine (831) 475-4488

    4. Public Transportation

      There is no direct train or bus service to Santa Cruz from San Francisco or San Jose airports. Taking public transportation from the airports is possible if one is willing to exchange time and convenience for a lower cost to travel.

      From San Jose Airport (SJC) to Santa Cruz (Total Fare: $6.25, Time: 2.5 hours):


      1. VTA Airport Flyer: From the airport terminal follow the ground transportation signs. The Airport Flyer stops at the islands in front of both terminals. There are two different Airport Flyer buses. Ask the driver whether your bus is going to the Caltrain Station. If it's going to the Metro Light Rail Station, do not get on. Get off the bus at the Santa Clara Caltrain Station (the last stop).

      2. Caltrain: After getting off the Airport Flyer, go forward to the train platform. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket from the current zone to Zone 4 ($2.25). Trains to San Jose use the closest track. Avoid trains marked ACE. Get off at the Diridon Station.

      3. Highway 17 Express Bus to Santa Cruz: This bus leaves the Diridon Station and travels over the Santa Cruz Mountains (45 minutes) via Highway 17 ($4.00 one way). The first bus leaves for Santa Cruz at 6:00am and leaves about every half hour until the last bus at 10:30pm. You can see the Bus Schedule here. Bus runs on a shorter schedule on Sunday.

        4. Late arrivals: If you are still at the Airport after about 9pm , find a taxi. You are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street. If you are still at Santa Clara Caltrain Station after about 9:50 PM (9:30 PM on weekends), call a taxi. You are at the train station opposite the entrance to Santa Clara University; the address is 1001 Railroad Avenue. Again, you are going to the train station near the HP Pavilion in San Jose; the address is 65 Cahill Street. You can also catch a bus at 9:58 PM (Saturday at 9:38 PM , Sunday at 9:41 PM ), from Santa Clara Caltrain Station to San Jose (Diridon) Station. Instructions:

        Return to the bus stop where you got off the Airport Flyer.

        Cross the station roadway and wait at the opposite bus stop.

        * Get on the VTA 22 bus. It will be going toward “Eastridge”.
        * Deposit $1.75 in the fare box.
        * Get off when you see the HP Pavilion coming up on the left.
        * Ignore any advice to get off later.

        For the Highway 17 Express, dial 1 800 USA -RAIL (nationwide, toll-free). Ask for schedules between Santa Cruz and San Jose. For other transportation services, dial 511 (San Francisco Bay Area, toll-free) or 1 408 817-1717 .

      From San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Santa Cruz (Total Fare: $10.75, Time: 2.5 hours):


      1. BART: The BART Station is attached to the International Terminal. Buy a $1.50 ticket and process it in one of the fare gates. Electronic signs and automated announcements indicate where the trains are going. Get on the train to the San Bruno Station. At San Bruno, get on the “Millbrae” train. Avoid all other trains. Move toward the front of the train if possible. You will be closer to the escalator when you get off. Get off the train at Millbrae which is the only stop. An agent will announce it.

      2. Caltrain: After getting off the BART train, go up to the mezzanine and re-process your ticket. Now, go down to the far Caltrain platform — the one that's across the Caltrain tracks. Find a red Caltrain ticket machine and buy a ticket from the current zone to Zone 4 ($5.75). All trains that stop at this platform go to San Jose. Get off at the Diridon Station.

      3. Highway 17 Express Bus to Santa Cruz: This bus leaves the Diridon Station and travels over the Santa Cruz Mountains (45 minutes) via Highway 17 ($4.00 one way). The first bus leaves for Santa Cruz at 6:00am and leaves about every half hour until the last bus at 10:30pm. You can see the Bus Schedule here. Bus runs on a shorter schedule on Sunday.

        4. Highway 17 Express, dial 1 800 USA -RAIL (nationwide, toll-free). Ask for schedules between Santa Cruz and San Jose.

        For other transportation services, dial 511 (San Francisco Bay Area, toll-free) or 1 408 817-1717 .