Complete Guide To What Buses Are Available in Santa Cruz, California

Charter Bus Rental Santa Cruz is your trusted partner for group travel on California’s Central Coast, serving Santa Cruz County and all of Monterey Bay. With more than a decade of experience, we provide access to the industry’s most reliable and comfortable charter buses and minibuses—from 10-passenger sprinter vans to 56-passenger full-size coaches, plus party buses and specialty vehicles for every occasion. Whether you’re planning a field trip to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, a corporate retreat at Chaminade Resort & Spa, or a festival shuttle to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, our fleet can handle any itinerary, guest list, or special request. Our reservation specialists are available 24/7 to guide you through fleet options, pricing, and amenities, ensuring you get the right bus for your needs. Call us today at 831-888-4870 or use our online quote tool to compare prices and models in under 30 seconds.

Quick Answer Of What Buses We Offer

Our fleet includes full-size charter buses (40-56 passengers), mid-size coaches (35-45 passengers), compact minibuses (15-35 passengers), party buses (10-50 passengers), and sprinter vans (10-15 passengers). We work with premium manufacturers such as Motor Coach Industries (MCI), Prevost, Setra, Van Hool, Grech Motors, Blue Bird Corporation, Champion Bus Inc, ElDorado National, Turtle Top, and more. Each coach offers a unique blend of comfort, safety, and luxury features, making them ideal for everything from short city shuttles to multi-day tours across the state. Onboard amenities include reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, and ADA-accessible lifts, ensuring your group travels in style whether heading to Capitola Village, UCSC, or Big Sur.

Major Charter Bus Manufacturers

Motor Coach Industries (MCI)

MCI J4500: This 45-foot flagship model is America’s best-selling motorcoach, seating up to 60 passengers with 445 cubic feet of underfloor luggage storage. It’s the gold standard for long-distance comfort and reliability, perfect for school trips to Roaring Camp Railroads or corporate events at the Dream Inn. Key features include individual climate controls, 110V outlets with USB charging, HD entertainment systems, and a restroom. The J4500’s robust build and smooth ride make it ideal for traversing Highway 1 or shuttling guests between downtown Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley tech campuses.

MCI J3500: Offering the same luxury in a 35-foot frame, the J3500 seats 40-44 passengers and has a tight turning radius for navigating narrow streets like Pacific Avenue or accessing venues with limited parking. It’s a top choice for mid-sized groups attending concerts at the Catalyst Club or wine tours in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

MCI J4500 CHARGE: Our all-electric J4500 CHARGE combines zero emissions with the capacity and amenities of the diesel model. With a range of over 230 miles per charge, this coach supports eco-friendly transportation for UCSC sustainability conferences or green business shuttles around Westside Santa Cruz.

Prevost

Prevost H3-45: Renowned for building the frames of Ground Force One (the presidential motorcoach), Prevost sets the bar for luxury and durability. The H3-45 seats 56 passengers, offers the largest underfloor storage in the industry (460 cubic feet), and features premium interiors with leather seating, panoramic windows, and advanced safety systems. It’s the preferred choice for VIP airport transfers from SFO to Pebble Beach resorts or executive retreats at Seascape Beach Resort.

Prevost X3-45: With the lowest overall height and longest wheelbase among motorcoaches, the X3-45 provides exceptional stability and fuel efficiency. Seating 55 passengers, it excels in urban routes, such as shuttling attendees between Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and nearby hotels during film festivals or large conventions.

Setra

Setra S 417: German engineering meets American roadways in the Setra S 417, a 45-foot coach seating 55 passengers. It’s equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Advanced Emergency Braking System, ergonomic seats, and dual-zone climate control. This model is ideal for international tour groups exploring Natural Bridges State Park or luxury charters to San Jose Sharks games at SAP Center.

Van Hool

Van Hool CX45: A favorite for its value and versatility, the CX45 seats 56-60 passengers and boasts 440 cubic feet of luggage space with a 240-gallon fuel tank for extended range. Use it for budget-friendly transportation to Cabrillo College graduations or school district field trips statewide.

Van Hool CX35: The 35-foot CX35 offers all the amenities of its larger counterpart but with a 34-foot turning radius, making it perfect for accessing tight spots like the UCSC Arboretum or Capitola Wharf. It accommodates 38-40 passengers, balancing capacity and maneuverability for smaller groups or shorter routes.

Minibus and Shuttle Bus Manufacturers

Grech Motors

Grech Motors EG40: As the premier name in luxury minibuses, Grech’s EG40 is our most popular model for high-end group travel. It seats up to 44 passengers and features a powerful 190,000 BTU HVAC system, plush interiors, and ample luggage space. Ideal for wedding shuttles between church venues and reception halls in Scotts Valley or VIP winery tours along the coast.

Grech Motors GM40: This flexible minibus seats either 40 passengers with rear luggage or 44 without, adapting to your group’s specific needs. Use it for daily employee shuttles from Watsonville to Santa Cruz or as a comfortable option for sports teams traveling to tournaments at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Grech Motors GM33: Built on the Ford F600 chassis, the GM33 is the world’s first luxury bus on this platform. With room for 28-32 passengers, it’s perfect for small-group excursions to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park or executive luncheons at Shadowbrook Restaurant.

Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird Vision: Well known for school and youth group transportation, Blue Bird offers diesel, propane, and electric configurations with seating for up to 83 passengers. Their electronic stability control and ABS braking systems ensure safe rides for student trips to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum or summer camp shuttles to Mount Hermon.

Blue Bird Vision Electric: The all-electric version provides up to 130 miles of range, suitable for local routes like daily campus circulators at Cabrillo College or city-sponsored shuttles to the Wharf-to-Wharf Race.

Champion Bus Inc

Champion Challenger Series: These versatile mid-size buses, built on Ford E-series and Chevy Express chassis, seat 12-29 passengers and offer climate control, comfortable seating, and luggage storage. They are ideal for hotel shuttles from the Boardwalk to downtown or small group tours of the Mystery Spot.

Champion Defender Series: For larger groups or longer journeys, the Defender series uses heavy-duty Ford F-550, International 3200, or Freightliner M2 chassis, providing enhanced suspension and increased storage. Use these for multi-day school trips to Yosemite or transporting sports fans to Levi’s Stadium.

ElDorado National

ElDorado AeroTech: The gold standard in 20’-25’ mid-size buses, AeroTech models seat up to 25 passengers and feature low-floor designs for ADA compliance and easy boarding. Perfect for boutique hotel shuttles, senior center outings, or executive transportation to the Santa Cruz County Courthouse.

Turtle Top

Turtle Top Odyssey XL: Available on Freightliner S2C and Ford F600 chassis, the Odyssey XL seats up to 41 passengers and delivers a first-class experience with climate control and spacious interiors. It’s a great fit for corporate groups commuting from Salinas or wedding parties needing transportation to coastal venues in Davenport.

Turtle Top Terra Transit: Flexibility and reliability define the Terra Transit, which seats up to 42 passengers with various chassis options (Chevy, Ford, Freightliner). Its versatile configurations support transit service contracts, recurring group transportation, or special event shuttles during the Santa Cruz Pride Parade.

We Offer These Buses and More!

Charter Bus Rental Santa Cruz proudly serves all of Santa Cruz County and beyond, including Watsonville, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Aptos, Soquel, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Live Oak, and La Selva Beach. With access to over 100 makes and models from industry-leading manufacturers, we have the right vehicle for every group size, trip type, and budget. From luxury coaches for Silicon Valley executives to no-frills shuttles for local festivals, our team will help you customize the perfect package. Ready to get started? Call our 24/7 reservations team at 831-888-4870 or fill out our online form for an instant quote on your next charter bus rental in Santa Cruz!