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How to get fromSanta Monica Pier to Santa Cruzby bus, plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus, Amtrak), train, car, tram, subway, or bus (Amtrak)

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There are 9 ways to get from Santa Monica Pier to Santa Cruz by bus, plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus, Amtrak), train, car, tram, subway, or bus (Amtrak)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LAX - SJC
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5h 4m
    $127–627
  2. Bus via Gilroy

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles - Pacoima to Gilroybus bus
    2. Take the bus from Gilroy Transit Center to San Jose Diridonbus bus 68
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    12h 24m
    $54–86
  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus Greyhound US0831 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    10h 5m
    $62–117
  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    12h 59m
    $136–291
  5. Drive 337.7 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Monica Pier to Santa Cruzcar car 337.7 mi
    6h
    $62–89
  6. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LAX - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5h 45m
    $101–219
  7. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Take the subway from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines to North Hollywood Stationsubway subway
    3. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane BUR - SJC
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    6h 5m
    $500–778
  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane LAX - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5h 57m
    $441–1,435
  9. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Pico Stationtram tram
    2. Take the tram from Pico Station to Del Amo Stationtram tram
    3. Take the bus from Del Amo Station Bay 2 to Del Amo & Lakewood SEbus bus
    4. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LGB - SJC
    5. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h
    $72–360

Santa Monica Pier to Santa Cruz by bus

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration10h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$62Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Santa Monica Pier, CA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from 2nd / Broadway to Soquel Ave & Front via Los Angeles Union Station, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 10h 5m.

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