After-hours Care
Need help when the health center is closed?
Support is available in your community 24/7. Hours and availability may vary, so call ahead before visiting.
If you receive off-campus care and have UC SHIP, you must notify us to schedule a follow-up at the Cowell Student Health Center. Learn more about following up after visiting a non–health center location.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
Need urgent care?
Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Westside
1301 Mission Street, Santa Cruz
Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat–Sun 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
X-ray available
Phone: (831) 458-6310
Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Midtown
2025 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
X-ray, CT, MRI: Mon–Sun | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: (831) 458-5537
Kaiser Urgent Care / (Not for UC SHIP)
5615 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley
Mon–Fri | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat–Sun | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kaiser X-ray: Mon–Fri | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: (831) 430-2700
Dignity Health Medical Group Urgent Care
1820 41st Ave., Ste C., Capitola
Mon–Sun | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | X-ray, lab
Phone: (831) 867-6514
Doctors on Duty
615 Ocean St, Santa Cruz
Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat–Sun | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
X-ray: Wed | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phone: (831) 425-7991
Livehealth Online
Consult a provider anytime—no appointment needed except for mental health. For concerns such as colds, UTIs, fever, headaches, and mental health services. $15 with UC SHIP, $59 without.
Need a hospital?
Dominican Hospital Emergency Room
1555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz
Phone: (831) 462-7703
Nearest Kaiser Hospital: Watsonville
75 Nielson St., Watsonville
Phone: (831) 724-4741
Who to contact for help after-hours
Need mental health help?
CAPS After-Hours Crisis Services
(831) 459-2628
UCSC Campus Mobile Crisis Team
(831) 502-9988
24 Hour Suicide Prevention Service
(831) 458-5300 or
(877) 663-5433
988 Lifeline Chat and Text
To text with a crisis counselor, text 988
Need a pharmacy?
Mission Street Safeway
(831) 420-0785
Westside
(831) 423-7175
Soquel Ave Walgreens
(831) 425-3911
Find a COVID-19 Test
myturn.ca.gov/testing or visit the healthcare kiosk
Need help for sexual assault or domestic violence?
Monarch Services Domestic Violence Hotline (Women’s Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres):
(888) 900-4232
24/7 UCSC Nurse Advice Line
Use when your issue isn’t life-threatening and you want advice from a licensed nurse. They will help you decide your next steps.
Call (831) 459-2591
Do you have UC SHIP?
UC SHIP covers after-hours, emergency care, and urgent care visits. For copay fees related to off-site care, refer to the UC SHIP brochure or the Sydney app. If you are enrolled in UC SHIP and need non-emergency medical care, you must first visit the Student Health Center (SHC) during business hours.
If the SHC is closed or you have an emergency, you may go to an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. However, you must notify the SHC at (831) 459-2500 within 24 hours or by the next business day to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Follow-up care must be provided at SHC. A written referral from SHC is required for any continuing off-campus care. Services not referred by SHC are not covered.
