Preferred Location: Change location
Preferred Location: Change location
Capitola, CA, is an oceanside city in Santa Cruz County experiencing an STD outbreak.
Chlamydia cases are rising fast in the area with 1,115 in 2017 and 1,254 in 2019.
Gonorrhea is stagnant in the county with 321 in 2017. In 2019 two years later, the area was listed at 233 in 2019.
Syphilis is a concern for the medical community. In 2017, the county had 41 primary and secondary syphilis infections. In 2019, it went down to 40. This decrease isn't significant enough to reduce the crisis.
Public health officials in Santa Cruz County are working with the Capitola, CA, medical community to increase STD awareness and encourage regular testing to slow the spread of these diseases.
Several options for comprehensive STD testing, treatment, and follow-up care are available throughout the county.
The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency on Emeline Ave at the Santa Cruz Health Center and the Watsonville Health Center on Freedom Blvd are open for STD testing.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Westside Health Center on Pacific Ave in Santa Cruz and the Watsonville Health Center on S. Green Valley Rd also offer services.
Also, a choice is the Bay Area Community Health on Monterey Rd. in San Jose.
Sutter Health West Side Center on Mission St. in Santa Cruz is another location.
Some locations offer free STD testing. These sites may request proof of income. Always ask what is necessary for no-cost services and how long results take—it can be longer with a free clinic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommends screening for the most common STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, herpes 1, herpes 2, and HIV for both men and women. In addition, the CDC suggests women get screened for trichomoniasis.
SaferSTD recommends searching for locations that offer a 10-test panel which tests for the most common bacteria and viral STDs in the U.S. with additional premium add-ons like early HIV detection, if needed.
The CDC2Â provides detailed STD testing information as to when you should get tested. In summary, you should get tested today if you are sexually active, never been tested before, have had unprotected sex in the past, or if you exhibit symptoms.Â
According to the World Health Organization3, the majority of STI cases reported every day, more than one million, are asymptomatic; another reason to get tested today.
You should get tested again in 90 days to rule out STDs that have specific exposure waiting times, including HIV.
STD testing can be a quick and simple process, depending on the type of test you choose and where you get tested. Some may require an oral or genital swab, a urine test or blood sample, or a physical exam to check your genital area for signs of an STD.
SaferSTD has identified preferred providers that require only a urine test, a blood sample, or both without a physical exam.
The speed at which you receive your STD testing results depends on where you get tested. Before you choose your location, find out how long testing results will take.Â
At-home STD testing results are usually 3-5 business days, depending on the manufacturer of your test. You also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to receive the test or pick one up, perform the test, and ship it back, before the lab can analyze your results and report back to you.Â
If you test at a public facility such as a neighborhood clinic, you may have to wait a week, if not more for the results, which could delay treatment. If you test through a private facility, they have the fastest turnaround within 1-3 business days.Â
SaferSTD has researched and identified the most accredited and most reputable testing locations. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Some STD testing clinics offer same-day walk-in options without an appointment. Below are nearby preferred locations that offer this option.
The cost of STD testing depends on whether you select private, public, or at-home testing, as well as the type of test(s) you need.
Several at-home STD options and public testing locations can cost up to $250, with most on the higher end, depending on the brand and type of testing. Public testing fees also vary based on income and welfare eligibility.Â
With private testing, you may save money on a low-cost comprehensive 10-test panel that tests for the most common bacterial and viral STDs in the United States.Â
SaferSTD has researched and identified reputable locations that offer upfront pricing without hidden fees. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Order a home-test kit onlineThe test takes just 5 minutes and then mail in your sampleReceive your lab results in 2 to 5 daysFDA approved technologyEnjoy free shipping
Pregnancy Resource Center Downtown Santa Cruz clinic provides compassionate care to women facing unintended pregnancies in Santa Cruz, CA. Its clinical team offers breast and pelvic exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, and OB ultrasounds. It also conducts screening for sexually transmitted diseases. The lab physicians perform HIV/Syphilis testing through blood draws and urine samples for other STDs.
Santa Cruz Direct Primary Care provides a simpler model of healthcare that ensures accessibility and affordability for all patients. Its medical team delivers pediatric and geriatric care, acute care, family medicine, women’s health, prevention and wellness, and chronic disease management. STD and HIV screening services are available at the clinic.
Santa Cruz Health Services Agency provides health education through partnerships and community outreach programs to create public health awareness of infectious diseases. Its medical staff is competent and offers primary and urgent care, immunizations, family planning, and STD services. The clinic has an on-site lab for STD and HIV screening.
Santa Cruz Center Urgent Care is part of Sutter Health's Palo Alto Medical Foundation, which offers convenient and affordable healthcare services to individuals and businesses. The team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and support staff provides quality care for various non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Lab professionals at this clinic conduct screenings for common STDs, including yeast and urinary tract infections.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Order online and receive a doctor's order to visit this lab to get tested in as little as 15 mins. Get your results privately within 1-2 business days and speak with a doctor over the phone if your test results come back positive. Doctors may prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Getting an STD test at a clinic near you has never been easier. When you choose this location, you can get a doctor's requisition to get tested in as little as 15 minutes. Following your test, you receive your results privately within 2 business days, and can speak to a doctor over the phone with confidence, should results come back as positive.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Why go to a public clinic? Get convenient and fast STD testing that is 100% confidential. Individual tests under $50. Order online and visit this lab the same day for a quick 15 min test. Get your results online within 1-2 business days, and view them privately. Doctor consultation available over the phone, should results come back as positive.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Get Fast, Easy and Affordable testing at this location. Results come back within 2 business days and be in and out of the lab in less then 20 minutes.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Must register to receive STD testing and treatment services. Health center sends clients to Salud para la Gente for HIV testing services. Closed from 12noon-1pm daily. Sexual Health Clinic Drop-In hours: Tues., Thurs., 1pm-5pm
Description: Social Service Organization.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Quarterly on the 3rd Wed. of the month hours are 12:15pm-8pm. Additionally, every 3rd Friday of each month hours are 11:15am-5pm
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus.
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus.
Description: Social Service Organization. You are welcome to walk in any time the Health Center is open to make an appointment or see if there is a same day appointment available
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Please call to find out about fees for HIV/STD testing. Some programs will cover the cost. You may qualify for a program called Family-Pact, which provides free reproductive health care.
Description: Social Service Organization.
Description: Punjabi and Urdu translation also available.
Description: Need to enroll as a patient.
The clinic offers free services to pregnant women and low-cost STD testing to those requiring screening services. STD and HIV solutions are available regardless of a client’s ability to pay. The billing team accepts Medi-Cal and cash payments. Although walk-ins aren’t turned away, the staff encourages patients to book appointments. You should bring a valid photo ID, including your student ID or driver’s license to your visit.
Pregnancy Resource Center Downtown Santa Cruz offers free nurse consultations, legal information regarding adoption and birth parent rights, and perinatal education to ensure the safety of the unborn baby. Material assistance may also be available for eligible pregnant mothers. You can access WIC and medical referrals on-site.
138 Walnut Ave b, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
New patients are required to pay a one-time service fee for registration. The clinic doesn't bill insurance policies or any other third-party plans. However, you can use Medicare to pay for your hospitalizations, lab procedures, and medications prescribed by the clinic.
Physicians on-site are available via phone to attend to your needs after hours. Through the Santa Cruz patient portal, you can sign up for a membership contract at the clinic to access services such as in-office testing and evaluation of acute cardiac concerns at no cost. Telemedicine offers clients remote access to medical services provided by the clinic.
9000 Soquel Ave STE 100, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
The clinic serves all persons above age 12 at low or no cost. For urgent medical conditions, patients may receive same-day appointments. Drop-ins are also allowed from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Medical, Medicare, and Medj-Cruz insurance plans are accepted on location. Cash payments are also allowed, and uninsured and low-income individuals may qualify for the in-office sliding fee program.
The health department provides free birth control measures, internal and external condoms, and lubes to communities in Santa Cruz County. Female clients can get free breast and cervical cancer diagnostic services through the every woman count program. Men may also receive free prostate cancer treatment through the impacts’ mission program.
1080 Emeline Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
You can schedule an appointment or walk-in during working hours to access sexual care services. The clinic accepts major insurance plans and may offer financial assistance to eligible low-income patients.
Clients may conveniently check their medical records, manage appointments, request prescription refills, and view lab results through my Health Online App. You can talk to the clinicians from the comfort of your home through video visits.
2025 Soquel Ave 2nd Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
Each page below contains a detailed report of the local area, location STD statistics and clinic reviews of some the top STD testing locations. The content is curated by our very own editors and medical experts.
