Private charter · TVL → WVI
South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz
167 miles, about 1 hr in a Cirrus SR20. One price for the whole airplane.
Price your flight from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz
The trip
South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz, door to door faster.
Trade about 4 hours on the road for about 1 hr in the air. Littlebird flies you direct from Lake Tahoe Airport in South Lake Tahoe to Watsonville Municipal Airport in Santa Cruz, 167 miles in a Cirrus SR20. You get the whole airplane for one price, with every fee and tax shown before you book.
- Distance
- 167 mi
- Flight
- 1 hr
- Driving
- 4 hours
- Passengers
- Up to 5
Flight time by aircraft
- Cirrus SR20 · up to 3 passengers1 hr
- Cirrus Vision Jet · up to 5 passengers30 min
Planned times in the air. Your quote shows exact departure and arrival times.
Departing South Lake Tahoe
Airports in South Lake Tahoe
TVL
Commercial airportLake Tahoe Airport
South Lake Tahoe · KTVL
- From downtown
- 3 mi
- Longest runway
- 8,541 ft
CSN
Commercial airportCarson Airport
Carson City · KCXP
- From downtown
- 22 mi
- Longest runway
- 6,101 ft
TKF
Commercial airportTruckee Tahoe Airport
Truckee · KTRK
- From downtown
- 28 mi
- Longest runway
- 7,001 ft
MEV
Regional airportMinden-Tahoe Airport
Minden · KMEV
- From downtown
- 13 mi
- Longest runway
- 7,399 ft
Arriving Santa Cruz
Airports in Santa Cruz
WVI
Regional airportWatsonville Municipal Airport
Watsonville · KWVI
- From downtown
- 13 mi
- Longest runway
- 4,502 ft
SJC
Major airportMineta San Jose International Airport
San Jose · KSJC
- From downtown
- 28 mi
- Longest runway
- 11,000 ft
MRY
Commercial airportMonterey Regional Airport
Monterey · KMRY
- From downtown
- 28 mi
- Longest runway
- 7,175 ft
OAR
Regional airportMarina Municipal Airport
Marina · KOAR
- From downtown
- 25 mi
- Longest runway
- 3,483 ft
RHV
Regional airportReid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County
San Jose · KRHV
- From downtown
- 27 mi
- Longest runway
- 3,100 ft
When you land
Things to do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz sits at the northern tip of Monterey Bay, where the redwood-covered Santa Cruz Mountains meet the Pacific. It has a strong claim as the birthplace of mainland American surfing, which Hawaiian princes introduced here in 1885, and its surf breaks, including Steamer Lane, remain world famous. UC Santa Cruz occupies a forested campus above town, and the local economy blends the university, tourism, agriculture in the nearby Pajaro Valley and residents who commute over the hill to Silicon Valley.
- 01
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
California’s oldest surviving amusement park sits on the sand, with the 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster and the historic Looff carousel among its rides.
- 02
West Cliff Drive
A paved path follows the cliffs past Steamer Lane, where surfers ride the point break, and the lighthouse that houses the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
- 03
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Just outside Felton, an easy loop trail winds through a grove of towering old-growth coast redwoods along the San Lorenzo River.
- 04
Natural Bridges State Beach
At the west end of town, this beach is known for its rock arch and tide pools, and in fall and winter for thousands of monarch butterflies in a eucalyptus grove.
- 05
Capitola Village
A few miles east, this small seaside village of colorful cottages, restaurants and shops faces a sheltered beach and a fishing wharf.
- 06
Santa Cruz Mountains Wineries
Small wineries in the hills above town produce acclaimed pinot noir, chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, with tasting rooms both in the mountains and in town.
Questions
South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz flights
How long is a private flight from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz?
About 1 hr in a Cirrus SR20, for 167 miles direct. Driving the same trip takes about 4 hours.
Which airports do flights from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz use?
You can depart from Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL), Carson Airport (CSN), or Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) and arrive at Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI), Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), or Monterey Regional Airport (MRY). Pick whichever is closest to where you're starting and where you're headed.
How much does a private charter from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz cost?
The price depends on the date, departure time, aircraft and where the airplane is positioned. Enter your trip above to see an instant price for the whole airplane, with every tax and fee included.
Can I book a round trip between South Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz?
Yes. Choose round trip when you search, and pick your return date and time. Flights from Santa Cruz back to South Lake Tahoe are priced the same way.
Return flight
Santa Cruz to South Lake Tahoe
More flights from South Lake Tahoe
More flights to Santa Cruz
Explore South Lake Tahoe private charter and Santa Cruz private charter, airports and things to do. Arriving at Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI).
South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz, on your schedule
Choose your departure time and see an instant price for the whole airplane. Bring up to 5 passengers for the same price.
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