Green markers indicate sites that offer free testing. Most sites have eligibility requirements.

Last updated: Dec. 16, 2022

Santa Cruz County has more than two dozen COVID-19 testing sites. Eligibility rules, cost and turnaround time vary. Here’s the breakdown by city and area.

• Watsonville
• Freedom
• Santa Cruz
• Live Oak
• Aptos
• Scotts Valley
• Capitola
• Felton

• Free COVID and flu tests are also available for people with symptoms at three locations in Santa Cruz County:

  • Watsonville: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Veterans Memorial Building, 215 E. Beach St.
  • Santa Cruz: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday at the county government building parking lot (near Starbucks), 701 Ocean St.
  • Felton: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday to Tuesday at the Felton Library, 6121 Gushee St.

  What to do with a positive test result

  People with positive flu tests can contact their health provider for an antiviral prescription. If antiviral treatment is started within two days of the onset of symptoms, the medicine can lessen symptoms and shorten the illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more about flu antivirals.

  People with serious symptoms are urged to consider emergency medical care. Serious symptoms include:

  • Significant difficulty breathing.
  • Intense chest pain.
  • Severe weakness.
  • Fever that persists for days.

  People who have COVID are encouraged to contact their health provider to see if they are eligible for COVID treatment. The antiviral pills work best if started immediately after symptom onset, local public health officials have said.

  Santa Cruz County has several “test-to-treat” locations where residents can get a COVID test, see a health care provider and get antiviral pills in the same visit. 

  COVID tests for students and families

  Santa Cruz County K-12 students, staff and their families can get tested at:

  • School sites by registration
  • Cabrillo College parking lot R, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
  • San Lorenzo Valley District Office, 325 Marion Ave., Ben Lomond. 12-4p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Pajaro Valley Unified School District parking lot, 294 Green Valley Road, Watsonville. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
  • Santa Cruz County of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 
  • Salud Para La Gente, 204 E. Beach St., Watsonville. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

  The tests are free or billed through health insurance. More information.

  Other free COVID tests

  Free tests are offered at the following locations. Some locations have eligibility requirements.

  • Watsonville: Doctors on Duty
  • Watsonville: CVS
  • Santa Cruz: Doctors on Duty
  • Live Oak: East Cliff Family Health Center
  • Aptos: Doctors on Duty
  • Aptos: Cabrillo College
  • Capitola: CVS

Santa Cruz County health officials have said that anyone with symptoms or possible exposure should get tested.

According to the California Department of Public Health, COVID symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Stay informed on our county's biggest issues.

Sign up free to get Santa Cruz Local in your inbox twice a week.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human:

Watsonville

Veterans Memorial Building
215 E. Beach St., Watsonville
7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

Make an appointment

• This site offers free COVID and flu tests. The nasal swab test detects COVID and influenza A and B, with results in a few minutes. Due to a limited supply, tests are only available to those with symptoms.
• This site also offers COVID-19 rapid tests for anyone, regardless of symptoms.
• The Veterans Memorial Building is a “test-to-treat” site, where residents can get a COVID test, see a health care provider and get antiviral pills in the same visit.

Doctors on Duty 
1505 Main St., Watsonville
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
831-722-1444

• By appointment only.Visit doctorsonduty.com to schedule.
• Offers a $260 PCR test, with results in three to five business days.
• Free tests are available for patients with no insurance. Patients just need to provide a Social Security Number so Doctors on Duty can bill the state.

Planned Parenthood
398 S. Green Valley Road, Watsonville
831-724-7525

• For Planned Parenthood primary care patients and by appointment and referral only. 
• Planned Parenthood patients can schedule a video visit with a doctor to get a referral. Call or schedule online.
• Cost depends on insurance benefits.

Salud Para La Gente

204 E. Beach St., Watsonville
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday
831-728-0222

• By appointment only for established patients. Call or text to schedule.
• Patients must qualify to get a test. Patients cannot get a test if they have tested positive within the past three months. People without symptoms or possible exposure are not eligible. More information.

Kaiser Permanente
1931 Main St., Watsonville
9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday
831-768-6600

• For Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients only, with or without COVID symptoms
• Kaiser patients can schedule a test online at kp.org without talking to a doctor, or get a referral from their doctor. Kaiser patients can also call the Appointment and Advice Call Center at 866-454-8855.
• Kaiser patients can generally schedule an appointment for a test within two to four days.

County Health Center-Watsonville
1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite D, Watsonville
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
831-763-8400

• For existing county clinic patients and by appointment only

Sutter Health Urgent Care – Watsonville
550 S. Green Valley Road, Watsonville
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends
831-458-5865

• For Sutter patients and by appointment only. A doctor visit is required in advance to determine if a test is needed. Sutter patients can schedule a video visit with a doctor to get a referral.
• Offers a PCR test.
• Cost depends on insurance benefits. More information.

CVS 
490 Rodriguez St., Watsonville
831-722-9454
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, by appointment on weekends.

• By appointment only.
• Offers free testing for those who qualify. An online assessment asks for symptoms, possible exposure, workplace setting and COVID testing history. Register for a free test. 
• Also offers a $139 PCR test for anyone, for any reason including travel. Turnaround time is one to two days. Travelers to Hawaii are not recommended to take this test because delivery time is not guaranteed, according to the website. Register for a paid test. 

Freedom

Walgreens
1810 Freedom Blvd. 
831-768-0183

• PCR tests by appointment

Santa Cruz

County government building parking lot (near Starbucks)
701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
888-634-1123
Schedule an appointment

• Free testing for anyone by appointment only
• The site is sponsored by the state and administered by OptumServe, a private health care company. 
• OptumServe asks for patients’ insurance information, but insurance is not necessary to get a test.
• Tests are administered in the parking lot.
• This site offers free COVID and flu tests. The nasal swab test detects COVID and influenza A and B, with results in a few minutes. Due to a limited supply, flu tests are only available to those with symptoms.
• This site also offers COVID-19 rapid tests for anyone, regardless of symptoms.
• The County Government Building parking lot is a “test-to-treat” site, where residents can get a COVID test, see a health care provider and get antiviral pills in the same visit.

 

CruzMedMo
626 Frederick St., Santa Cruz
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday
Drive-through testing, no appointment required

• Results available by the end of the day
• Travel documentation offered, except for travel to Hawaii. Cost ranges from $25 for antigen tests to $225 for a PCR test.
• Patients must pay out of pocket but the clinic offers paperwork for insurance reimbursement. 
• CruzMedMo also offers mobile COVID testing for businesses. Call 831-241-7501.

Doctors on Duty

615 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
9 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Monday to Friday
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
831-425-7991

• Offers a $157PCR test, with results in three to five business days.
• Free tests are available for patients with no insurance.

By appointment only. Call to schedule or visit doctorsonduty.com.

County Health Center — Santa Cruz
1080 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
831-454-4100

• For existing county clinic patients and by appointment only

UCSC Cowell Student Health Center
1156 High St., Santa Cruz
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday
831-459-2500

• Tests are for symptomatic students only.
• Test requirements for UCSC staff
• Test requirements for UCSC students

UCSC Bay Tree Building 

420 Hagar Dr., Santa Cruz
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Monday to Friday 
Opens again January 8 2023, closed for break

• For students only
• PCR testing
• Rapid antigen tests available at site as at Bay Tree Campus Store, college housing offices, and Affiliated Residential Community Housing offices

Sutter Health Urgent Care – Santa Cruz
2025 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
831-458-5537

• For Sutter patients by appointment only. A doctor visit is required in advance to determine if a test is needed. Sutter patients can schedule a video visit with a doctor to get a referral.
• Offers a PCR test.
• Cost depends on insurance benefits. More information.

Walgreens
1718 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
831-425-3911

• PCR tests by appointment

Santa Cruz County Office of Education – Santa Cruz
399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz
2-5 p.m. Monday to Friday

• Drive-through testing for students, parents, staff and community members affiliated with schools or child care in Santa Cruz County.
• Patients do not need to be symptomatic to qualify for a test.
• Most test results are returned within 24 hours.
• Appointments not needed. Register online.
• More information.

Live Oak

Live Oak Family Health Center
1510 Capitola Rd., Live Oak
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
831-427-3500

• Only for established patients exhibiting symptoms. Call to schedule.
• Testing is free for established patients.

Aptos

Doctors on Duty
6800 Soquel Drive, Aptos
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday
831-662-3611

• PCR tests available, with results in three to five business days. Cost depends on insurance.
• Free tests are available for patients with no insurance.

Appointment only. Call or visit doctorsonduty.com to schedule.

Cabrillo College parking lot R
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesdays
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays

• Park and walk up testing for students, parents, staff and community members affiliated with schools, child care or agriculture in Santa Cruz County.
• Patients do not need to be symptomatic to qualify for a test.
• Most test results are returned within 24-hours.
• Register online.

Scotts Valley

Kaiser Permanente
5615 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley
Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
831-430-2700

• For Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients only, with or without COVID symptoms

Kaiser patients can drop in, schedule a test online without talking to a doctor, or get a referral from their doctor. Kaiser patients can also call the Appointment and Advice Call Center at 866-454-8855.

Walgreens
210 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley
831-430-9113

• PCR tests by appointment

Capitola

CVS Pharmacy — drive-through testing
1750 41st Ave., Capitola
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
831-476-0400

• By appointment only.
• Offers free testing for those who qualify. An online assessment asks for symptoms, possible exposure, workplace setting and COVID testing history. Register for a free test. 
• Also offers a $139 PCR test for anyone, for any reason including travel. Turnaround time is three to four days. Travelers to Hawaii are not recommended to take this test because delivery time is not guaranteed, according to the website. Register for a paid test. 
• Tests are done in the parking lot. A car is required to receive a test.

Felton

Felton Library
6121 Gushee St.
Schedule an appointment

• This site offers free COVID and flu tests. The nasal swab test detects COVID and influenza A and B, with results in a few minutes. Due to a limited supply, flu tests are only available to those with symptoms.
• This site also offers COVID-19 rapid tests for anyone, regardless of symptoms.
• The Veterans Memorial Building is a “test-to-treat” site, where residents can get a COVID test, see a health care provider and get antiviral pills in the same visit.

Become a member of Santa Cruz Local, an independent, community-supported newsroom that’s owned and led by local journalists. Our stories are free and always will be, but we rely on your support.

Already a member? Support Santa Cruz Local with a one-time gift.   

Stay informed on Santa Cruz County's biggest issues.

Santa Cruz Local's newsletter breaks down complex local topics and shows residents how to get involved.

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you're human: