These days, pretty much everyone has a phone in their pocket—or in their hand. And while it’s great to have a device to check social media, text friends and family, and even play a little game of Candy Crush, your phone is also a great way to connect with and navigate around your community.
There’s always something happening in Santa Cruz, from performances and events to workshops and clubs, and so much more. For students, especially those who might be new to the area, here are some helpful, local apps to help make post-secondary life a little easier—and no, none of these are weather apps!
Apps can be purchased for Android and iPhone devices via applicable app stores.
Navigation and Public Transit
Parking in and around Santa Cruz (whether on campus or otherwise) isn’t always easy or cheap. Alternative methods of transportation, such as biking and taking the bus—the latter of which runs routes around campus and throughout the city—are a popular option for younger residents.
For those taking public transit, there are a few apps that can help. METRO Splash pass is the transit app for ticket and bus pass purchasing. UC Santa Cruz students, however, can get free metro rides with a valid student ID. Graduates and dependents of students can also receive discounted passes/trips, though these must be purchased on campus. More information about this can be found on the official university website.
To track and plan your trips, the Transit app shows a live view of bus locations (including UCSC TAPS buses) and arrival times, and can even show how crowded an upcoming bus is. Although the range of this app can be limited, it does show routes and stops in a user’s immediate vicinity, and can help users plan the correct bus route to use. This app is probably most useful for checking bus arrival times at certain stops.
Additionally, for more curated transportation, both Uber and Lyft operate in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas (from Watsonville to Scotts Valley).
University-Centric Apps
Students at UC Santa Cruz are likely already aware of MyUCSC Mobile, which is the school’s official online platform for class schedules, applications, financial aid, and more. However, there are also faculty-specific apps, such as the UC Santa Cruz Slugs app, which is connected to the Department of Athletics and Recreation. This app has information about club schedules, sports games, team/class registration, and anything else regarding school athletics.
The GET app is used for dining on campus. But for more dining options, the GrubHub app supports dining via accumulated Flexi Dollars (Flexi$). As well, apps such as Notewise or Notein combine note-taking capabilities with drawing and creation, though these are not localized apps.
The Santa Cruz Community
To further connect with the Santa Cruz community, there are a number of local apps that can help you plan what to do on an upcoming weekend or make use of the city’s public resources.
The Santa Cruz Cinema app works in conjunction with the Santa Cruz Cinema (the 1405 Pacific Avenue location), and shows users movie showtimes and schedules. It can also be used to purchase tickets and for concession ordering. There is a loyalty rewards program called Movie Perks which can be cashed in for ticket upgrades and free food/drinks.
The library system across Santa Cruz has their own app, Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Users can view the library catalogue and place a hold. This can be useful for additional research and resources as, unfortunately, the UC Santa Cruz Library does not have a mobile app.
Discover what Santa Cruz has to offer with an expert realtor. Find your dream home in Santa Cruz with Lauren Spencer. Click to contact, or register today to be updated as soon as new listings hit the market.
Posted by Lauren Spencer on
Leave A Comment