Flights
Flights to Santa Cruz
Flying to Santa Cruz for a game, a concert or a show? The airport you pick decides the rest of the trip more than the fare usually does. This page lists the 3 airports with scheduled flights near Santa Cruz, how far each is from the centre and which is nearest each of the city's main venues. StubOrder lists 99 upcoming events in and around Santa Cruz (counted Nov 8, 2026); fares are searched live when you pick your dates.
The closest airport to downtown Santa Cruz is Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), 27 miles away. Also within 53 miles: SFO (48 mi), OAK (53 mi). For Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall, the nearest is SJC at 27 miles.
Airports serving Santa Cruz
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the centre of Santa Cruz, which is the fair way to compare airports with each other; the drive is always longer.
| Airport and distance from the centre | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) 27 mi (43 km) | Large | Nearest to Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall, Kaiser Permanente Arena, Moe's Alley, The Catalyst, Live in the Atrium at The Catalyst, Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and The Crepe Place. |
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 48 mi (78 km) | Large | None |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) 53 mi (85 km) | Large | None |
Nearest airport to each Santa Cruz venue
The busiest venues in and around Santa Cruz, each with its own nearest airport. A stadium in the suburbs is often nearer a different airport than downtown is, so this is the table to book from.
| Venue | Nearest airport we list | Second option |
|---|---|---|
| Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall Hotels near Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall | SJC, 27 mi | SFO, 50 mi |
| Kaiser Permanente Arena Hotels near Kaiser Permanente Arena | SJC, 28 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| Moe's Alley Hotels near Moe's Alley | SJC, 26 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| The Catalyst Hotels near The Catalyst | SJC, 28 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| Live in the Atrium at The Catalyst Hotels near Live in the Atrium at The Catalyst | SJC, 28 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz Hotels near Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz | SJC, 27 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Hotels near Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium | SJC, 27 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
| The Crepe Place Hotels near The Crepe Place | SJC, 27 mi | SFO, 49 mi |
Flying in for a Santa Cruz event
In the next 30 days (counted Nov 8, 2026): 28 events in and around Santa Cruz; 82% on Fri–Sun; 25 of the 28 with a set time start at 7 pm or later, local time.
Fly in the day before an evening event: a delayed afternoon flight is a missed show. Plan to fly home the morning after, because the last departures of the night often leave before a late finish lets out. The dates below set the search to do exactly that, around each event.
Alex Cameron
The Crepe Place, Santa Cruz, California
From about $51.00View TicketsHoly Wave
Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, California
From about $47.00View TicketsDonavon Frankenreiter & Band of Heathens
Rio Theatre - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
From about $81.00View TicketsSanta Cruz Warriors vs. San Diego Clippers
Kaiser Permanente Arena, Santa Cruz, California
From about $41.00View TicketsBite Me
Live in the Atrium at The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California
From about $57.00View TicketsRoger Clyne & PH Naffah
Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz, California
From about $51.00View TicketsAndre Nickatina
The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California
From about $133.00View TicketsSanta Cruz Warriors vs. San Diego Clippers
Kaiser Permanente Arena, Santa Cruz, California
From about $47.00View Tickets
Search flights for:
- Nov 9: Alex Cameron
- Nov 10: Holy Wave
- Nov 13: Santa Cruz Warriors vs. San Diego Clippers
- Nov 14: Santa Cruz Warriors vs. San Diego Clippers
- Nov 15: Drag The River
Flying in to Santa Cruz: checklist
- Book the airport for your venue. For Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall it is SJC, 27 miles away; the table above has the rest.
- Arrive the day before an evening event, and plan the flight home for the next morning.
- Names exactly as on the ID. The airline compares the booking with the ID at the airport.
- Check the bag allowance. It is shown on every fare; extra bags are not part of the fare price.
Plan the rest of the trip
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for Kaiser Permanente Arena?
The closest airport to Kaiser Permanente Arena is Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), 28 miles away in a straight line; San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 49 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.
How many events are in Santa Cruz in the next 30 days?
28 in and around Santa Cruz in the 30 days from Nov 8, 2026, when this page's figures were counted. 82% of them fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 25 of the 28 with a set start time begin at 7 pm or later, local time.
How many airports serve Santa Cruz?
StubOrder lists 3 airports with scheduled passenger flights within 100 km (62 miles) of downtown Santa Cruz: Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK).
What is the closest airport to Santa Cruz?
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is the closest airport with scheduled flights to downtown Santa Cruz, 27 miles away in a straight line. StubOrder also lists SFO (48 miles) and OAK (53 miles).
Which airport is best for Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall?
The closest airport to Under The Big Top - Capitola Mall is Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), 27 miles away in a straight line; San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 50 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.
Can I buy event tickets and flights together?
Not as one purchase. Event tickets come from our resale marketplace and flights from our travel partner and the airlines, as separate bookings with separate confirmations. Neither depends on the other, so if an event moves, your flight does not change automatically.
Are fares shown on this page?
No. Airline fares change by the minute and depend on your exact dates, airports and travellers, so this page shows none. Pick your dates in the search form and StubOrder asks the airlines live; every fare it shows is the total for all travellers, taxes and fees included.
How far is SJC from downtown Santa Cruz?
Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 27 miles (43 km) from downtown Santa Cruz in a straight line. The drive is always longer than the straight line, and the roads near the venues are busiest at event times, so allow more than a map suggests.
