The scenic coastal city of Santa Cruz, California, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Whether you're planning a beach vacation, a redwood forest adventure, or a visit to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, finding the right airport for your trip is essential. Here's a rundown of the five airports near Santa Cruz, California, to help you plan your travel:
Santa Cruz is nestled in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Monterey Bay Area, offering convenient access to several airports. Here's an overview of the airports near Santa Cruz, including their distances, flight options, and amenities:
1. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Distance from Santa Cruz: approximately 30 miles (48 km), 45-minute drive
- Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, United
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, dining and shopping options, baggage claim, ground transportation
Getting to Santa Cruz from SJC
You can rent a car or take a taxi/Uber from SJC to Santa Cruz. The drive typically takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can use public transportation by taking the VTA Airport Flyer bus (Route 10) to the Santa Cruz Metro Center, then transferring to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk shuttle (Route 71).
2. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Distance from Santa Cruz: approximately 60 miles (97 km), 1.5-hour drive
- Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, American, Asiana, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, United, and many more
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, dining and shopping options, baggage claim, ground transportation, airport lounges
Getting to Santa Cruz from SFO
From SFO, you can rent a car or take a taxi/Uber to Santa Cruz. The drive typically takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can use public transportation by taking the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train to the Millbrae Station, then transferring to the Santa Cruz Metro Center via the Highway 17 Express bus.
3. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
- Distance from Santa Cruz: approximately 45 miles (72 km), 1-hour drive
- Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, United
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, dining and shopping options, baggage claim, ground transportation
Getting to Santa Cruz from MRY
You can rent a car or take a taxi/Uber from MRY to Santa Cruz. The drive typically takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can use public transportation by taking the Monterey-Salinas Transit bus (Route 56) to the Santa Cruz Metro Center.
4. Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Distance from Santa Cruz: approximately 70 miles (113 km), 1.5-hour drive
- Airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, dining and shopping options, baggage claim, ground transportation, airport lounges
Getting to Santa Cruz from OAK
From OAK, you can rent a car or take a taxi/Uber to Santa Cruz. The drive typically takes around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can use public transportation by taking the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train to the Coliseum Station, then transferring to the Santa Cruz Metro Center via the Highway 17 Express bus.
5. Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI)
- Distance from Santa Cruz: approximately 20 miles (32 km), 30-minute drive
- Airlines: None (general aviation only)
- Amenities: None
Getting to Santa Cruz from WVI
Watsonville Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport, and there are no commercial flights available. However, you can rent a car or take a taxi/Uber from WVI to Santa Cruz. The drive typically takes around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
In conclusion, the airports near Santa Cruz, California, offer various options for travelers. While Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are the largest and most convenient options, Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) provide alternative choices. Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) is a general aviation airport and not suitable for commercial flights. When planning your trip to Santa Cruz, consider factors like distance, flight options, and amenities to choose the best airport for your needs.
Which airport is closest to Santa Cruz?
+Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is the closest airport to Santa Cruz, approximately 30 miles away.
Can I take public transportation from SJC to Santa Cruz?
+Yes, you can take the VTA Airport Flyer bus (Route 10) to the Santa Cruz Metro Center, then transfer to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk shuttle (Route 71).
Are there any non-stop flights from SFO to Santa Cruz?
+No, there are no non-stop flights from SFO to Santa Cruz. However, you can take a connecting flight from SFO to SJC or MRY, then rent a car or take public transportation to Santa Cruz.