General Walking Tours

Experience UC Santa Cruz with one of our Student Life & University Guides (S.L.U.G.s)!

We're excited to welcome you to our beautiful campus between the sea and the trees. Join one of our student-led walking tours to learn about campus life, academics, traditions, and what it's like to be a Banana Slug.

Traveling with a group of 10 or more?
Please contact the Tours Office at visits@ucsc.edu or 831-459-4118 to schedule a group visit.

Tour at a Glance

⏱ Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

📍 Distance: About 1.5 miles

🌳 Format: Entirely outdoors

🎓 Best For: Prospective students and their guests

👟 Terrain: Hills, stairs, uneven paths, and forest trails

Before You Visit

To help you have the best experience:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Dress in layers for our changing coastal weather.

• Bring water and weather-appropriate clothing.

• Please note that tours do not include classroom, residence hall, or dining hall interiors to protect student privacy.

Registration & Waitlists

If your preferred tour date/time is full, you can join the online waitlist during registration. You'll automatically receive an email if a spot becomes available.

Parking

Visitor parking is available on campus and requires payment via ParkMobile (link opens in a new tab) . Please review your tour confirmation email for parking instructions specific to your visit, or visit the Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS) website (link opens in a new tab) for additional parking information.

Accessibility

Guests needing mobility accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Tours Office at visits@ucsc.edu or 831-459-4118 at least five business days before their scheduled tour.

Looking for Something More?

You may also be interested in:

• Baskin School of Engineering tours (link opens in a new tab)

• UCSC Arboretum tours (link opens in a new tab)

• Self-guided UCSC Farm tour (link opens in a new tab)

Interested in campus housing? While we don't offer in-person housing tours, you can explore our residence halls through our online housing tours (link opens in a new tab).

Tour Cancellations

We make every effort to operate all scheduled tours. However, tours may occasionally be canceled due to circumstances beyond the university's control, including strikes, protests, severe weather, natural disasters, or other health and safety concerns. If a tour must be canceled, we'll notify registered guests as soon as possible.

Register for a Campus Tour

Select a date in the calendar below to view available campus tours.