Getting to the Garden

DIRECTIONS TO THE ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN

Coming in July 2025?

Scroll down to see Temporary Alternative Entrance - Directions and Map

APPROACHING VIA HIGHWAY 17 FROM THE NORTH
OR HIGHWAY 1 FROM THE SOUTH

• As you approach Santa Cruz, follow signs to "Half Moon Bay / Highway 1 North"
• Highway One stops being a divided highway and becomes Mission Street in Santa Cruz. Remain on Mission St./Highway 1 for about a mile
• Turn right onto Bay Street (there's a traffic light) going up to the UC campus
• Turn left at the High St. traffic light at the base of campus (don't go in the main entrance)
• Stay on High Street for approx 1/2 mile, the entrance to the Arboretum is to your right
• If you arrive at the West entrance to campus, you have gone too far

SUGGESTIONS FOR GPS AND ONLINE MAPPING SOFTWARE.

Many newer GPS and and mobile routing devices recognize "Arboretum Road" as the Arboretum's address. You can also try entering "Norrie's Gifts Arboretum UCSC" in Google Maps.

NOTE: if you enter "Arboretum, UCSC" into older GPS or routing software, you might be directed to 1156 High Street. That is the main entrance to campus (and our mailing address.) The Arboretum is about 1/2 mile up High Street past the main entrance on the west side of campus.

The entrance to the Garden is on the east side of High Street (right-hand side if you're going uphill.)

Temporary Alternate Entrance from July 7 to July 25, 2025

The main entrance to the UCSC Arboretum and Botanical Garden will be closed from July 7 to July 25 while crews make much needed repairs to the a nearby  retaining wall that supports the first section of our entry road. During the closure, all visitors, including drivers, pedestrians, and bikers, will enter the Arboretum through the gate at the back of our visitor parking lot.

To access this back gate, you’ll come through the main entrance to campus onto Coolidge Drive, then turn left onto Ranch View Road. There will be signs posted along the detour route (which will include driving onto a dirt road) and lead you to our temporary entrance. For exiting, you will use the same gate at the end of our parking lot, but will turn left onto Ranch View Road and follow signs to Hagar Drive and then Coolidge Drive to exit through the main entrance to campus.