<p>I looked through the other posts and didn't really find anything to detailed, so sorry if this feels like a repost. </p>
<p>So I am planning on being a freshman for the Fall of '09 and was curious how on campus parking works with living on campus, dorms and such.... I am coming from SoCal and planning on bringing a car, and a motorcycle. The most I got from the other posts was that you can't park on campus when you live on campus.. Does this include parking in front of the dorms and such?? If so, where is the closest parking structures/lots? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Hate to bring the bad news, but here it is...
As a freshman or sophomore living on campus, UCSC TAPs won't let you buy a parking permit to park your car on campus, unless you a serious reason for one, like an existing job, for which they'll want proof. Devastating, I know. Once you move off campus (and are a junior, I believe) they'll let you buy a permit for the remote lots, which are definately remote from convenience. The lots near the dorms aren't for students.. They're for faculty, staff, maintenance, etc. For as laid back as many see this school, they're abnormally anal about parking (amongst other things). Those inner lots have some short term parking and metered parking.. but that stuff is expensive.
The good news!...
No matter who you are or where you live, you can easily get a motorcycle parking permit. They're in many places (some even convenient) and are waaaay cheaper than car permits. Churches near the base of campus (5 min via bus) sell parking permits in their lots (for the year I believe) for a lot less than UCSC's permits. Also, starting from some time on Friday (can't remember when) until 7am Monday morning you can park your car on campus in the those inner lots close to the dorms/apartments and stuff. It's pretty sweet since your car is right there all weekend, but beware, the parking enforcement IS there at 7 am SHARP.</p>
<p>You can find all the info here (yes, parking "prohibition"):
UC</a> Santa Cruz - Transportation & Parking Services</p>
<p>The previous reply is spot on. </p>
<p>Additionally, you can park almost anywhere on campus without a permit after 8:30 PM (so 8:30 PM Friday to 7 AM Monday is a free-for-all). Weekends are free in most lots. Remote lots are free after either 5 or 5:30 PM. If you have a remote permit you can park "close in" (C lots) after 5 or 5:30. </p>
<p>Some lots don't follow the above rules - whatever you do be religious about checking the signs at each lot. Theatre arts is enforced on weekends and evenings, college 9/10 is 24-hour permit only, etc.</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend bringing a car for at least your first quarter. If you're living on campus there's really no need for it - city buses can get you just about anywhere, and you won't be grocery shopping.</p>
<p>Wow, that is a lot of useful information. Thanks!! And a great link. </p>
<p>Kewkiekid: I don't think that I can even consider not bringing my car. I don't know how I can explain it, but I can't survive with out a car, even living on campus. I would be making a lot of trips up to San Francisco, and Berkley cause I have friends that are there. And I know I will be going to Costco a lot. lol </p>
<p>And I plan on working at the Apple store in Los Gatos(google puts it at a 35 minute drive, but it is only 25 miles away, thinking it will only be a 20 minute drive), and I really never liked driving a motorcycle on the freeways, so I would like to have a car on me. Do you guys think I could appeal for a permit based on that? Or are the church parking lots secure enough to park a car there for days(and nights) at a time, with out anything happening to it? I'm pretty anal about my car. </p>
<p>But I think that as long as I can have my motorcycle parked on campus during the week and my car on campus on the weekends I should be fine..</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>I still strongly urge you not to bring your car until at least winter quarter - you'll want to stay on campus a lot and meet people/etc especially in the fall. Although having a car will get you some instant friends who'll bum rides for the next year.</p>
<p>Have you ever been up here? Los Gatos is across highway 17 - a windy mountain road. I drive over the hill on a regular basis and usually budget at least 45 minutes. If you're lucky and there's no fog and no traffic, it can be 25-30 minutes, but that's not the norm. You can try appealing to TAPS for a permit based on your job but you have to have the job first! (Do you already work for Apple?)</p>
<p>The church parking lots are more secure than the boardwalk lots that also rent to students. Apply early, they sell out fast.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Where do fr and sophs w/ cars park them off campus?</p>
<p>either they dont bring cars, or they park them at the church. Ive never heard of anyone parking at the boardwalk parking, but apparently thats available too.</p>
<p>But really, its not necessary. at all. Ive only been here for a month, true. But the buses are awesome, they take you everywhere really. As kewkiekid said, you wont want to go visit friends over the weekend cuz youll be hanging out with your friends you make here. The only exception is if you have a job. I have a friend who has a job, but still parks at the church. apparently theyre super anal, even though she has a job.</p>
<p>Los Gatos is a pretty gnarly drive from Santa Cruz. It is steep, windy, tends to get real foggy at the top, and can get VERY sketchy at times. Highway 17 is one of America's most dangerous highways (so I've been told), and it certainly seems so. I'm a car guy too and not bothered with driving or anything, but it's the one road I really wouldn't want to deal with driving home tired in the pouring rain all the time. My old roomate (a good driver) totaled his car on it. </p>
<p>Traffic through there can get REALLY bad sometimes too.</p>
<p>I knew a guy who parked in the Boardwalk lots... never heard any problems there... but it is pretty far and it's rumored to be unsafe (no evidence on that one).</p>
<p>Yes, the bus system in Santa Cruz is pretty good, but its definitely a drag much of the time. They're often more full than you've ever thought legal and can take AGES to get where a car will get you in less than 10 minutes. (Route 20 anyone?)</p>
<p>Although, as a freshman with a car, you will be worshiped.</p>
<p>Yea highway 17 is one of the deadliest in the nation - it's gotten a lot better since they built the divider though. </p>
<p>My best friend parked at the Boardwalk frosh/soph years and had the driver side window smashed and his radio stolen. I think his iPod was in the car too, and was stolen as well. However, he forgot to remove the faceplate when he parked. Take that as you will. That part of town in general isn't as safe as the church area, but it's not exactly <em>dangerous</em> either.</p>
<p>I have been to the campus but never drove on Highway 17. But I still don't think that I can survive with out my car. I don't want to sound lame, but I am pretty much in love with my car, and don't think I can leave it down here. And my car will probably get broken into if it is as bad as you guys are describing it.</p>
<p>I'd definitely go with the Church permit. Besides it's a safer spot... nowhere near the faculty housing firebombings or anything.... ;)</p>
<p>Be sure to give rides to people on campus, cause buses are very seriously overcrowded.</p>
<p>Kewkiekid- If your friend is leaving his ipod in plain site view, he is sort of asking for his car to be broken into. I would not leave even a penny in my car parked in the outskirts of downtown santa cruz. </p>
<p>Waterpolo- You seriously do not need a car. The bus system is very crowded at times, true, but there are a whole lot of buses. Besides, most people walk everywhere as there are paths through the forests. The only reason people want to have cars is so that they can bring stuff home from Costco. The overall bus system in Santa Cruz is very good. That being said, as long as you are smart about where you park your car (that can be hard and sometimes impossible), and keep your car clear of anything that could be valuable, your car should not be broken into.</p>
<p>Cali Trumpet - sorry I wasn't clear. The faceplate on the stereo was in view, the iPod was in the glove compartment. But yes, I agree with you.</p>
<p>Has anyone tried Zipcar? I see them on campus when I am there, but not sure if it works as advertised. Seems like a good way to "have a car" when you absolutely need one.</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat as Waterpolo. I'm planning on attending UCSC in '09 as a freshman.</p>
<p>I don't have such a good relationship with my family (beside my dad) and I would really prefer to have my car with me, as opposed to leaving it to my step sister in So Cal. </p>
<p>I'm also a bit worried about the safety of the lots. My car is a convertible, soft top, and I'm really concerned about that.</p>
<p>Its not worth it. I cannot imagine driving from class to class on a regular basis. There are just too many students, and the roads are way too small. The campus was built around the forest, meaning it is not convenient for those with cars. You would have to park your car somewhere off campus in the more downtown-feel places. Since it appears you have a nice car, there is some chance your car will be broken into or stolen if you leave it overnight in sketchy neighborhoods overnight for the year.</p>
<p>To agree with CaliTrumpet, it isnt worth it. Convincing them that you need your car on campus is going to take a lot of lying if your only reason is you dont want your step sister driving it at home. Even if you manage to get a parking permit (nearly impossible) it's expensive.</p>
<p>Alright, I'll definitely think about that. I'm possibly thinking about selling my car anyway to help cover tuition costs.</p>