Preferred Location: Change location
Preferred Location: Change location
The Bay Area is known as an STD hot spot, but Santa Cruz does not have rates as high as San Francisco’s. In 2015, there were 433 people living with HIV or AIDS in Santa Cruz County, with a prevalence rate of 185 per 100K people, about half of California’s rate of 376.
In 2017, 1,115 people in Santa Cruz County were diagnosed with chlamydia, at a rate of 403.3, under California’s rate of 552.2. The gonorrhea and (primary and secondary) syphilis rates were 116.1 and 14.8.
Local health officials are most worried about the gonorrhea and syphilis rates, which have skyrocketed.
The problem with gonorrhea is that there is only one medicine left that can treat it, and the strain may be becoming resistant. Syphilis was thought to be pretty much eradicated in the US, but then it made a comeback due to decreased condom use.
There is free STD testing available for students, but only for HIV. You can also be tested at the Santa Cruz Health Center on Emeline Ave. Planned Parenthood is located on Pacific Ave. They test for STIs and treat all except HIV, and the fee is on a sliding scale. The UCSC Student Health Center provides self-directed STI tests to students.
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
Santa Cruz AIDS project founded in 1985 by a voluntary group with a mission of enhancing quality life as well as lead a community response to HIV/AIDS, The department provides testing, counseling, case management and support services to the people living with HIV/AIDS. Through qualified professionals, sexual education and safe sex materials are provided to prevent more infections.
Santa Cruz Women's Health Centre Operates a Family practice service. The clinic has a Legacy of equality, advocacy, high-quality care, as well as respect. It operates for both women and children irrespective of their economic position. It is a non-profit organization that has played a major role in local health care since the year 1974. The clinic has a team of devoted, caring and experienced medical professionals.
Salud Para La Gente, Beach Flats Clinic, promotes the health well-being of the community and provides affordable health care services. The facility is a non-profit health care organization with a mission to provide high-quality care that is responsive to majority health needs of the community. They do not turn anyone away due to inability to pay for services.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, is dedicated to the prevention of infectious diseases and improving the lives of people by teaching preventive measures on sexually transmitted diseases. The department provides a sex education program to create awareness and safer tools of use for patients who are contracted with HIV/STD infections.
Santa Cruz Health Center is a provider for quality comprehensive primary care services. The clinic mainly focuses on members of the community who have been marginalized by socioeconomic, cultural, languages, or other forms of barriers that may hinder seeking treatment.
Salud Para La Gente, Clinica Del Valle Del Pajaro is a health center that strives to offer quality primary health care services that are also affordable to all. They promote healthy living through services, education, and resources. It is a clinic founded on the belief that health and wellness are fundamental building blocks for a healthy and happy life.
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: 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
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: 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
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: Must register as a patient to receive services. Saturday hours available by appointment only
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available upon request. Walk-ins welcome during hours of operation
From 2011 to 2016 the occurrence of gonorrhea in residents living in the county grew 122%, followed by syphilis cases of which grew 104% during that five year period. Chlamydia comes in third with a growth of 30% from 2011 to 2016. In 2015, 2/3 of the reported syphilis cases in the area were in homosexual males. The same year, one child was born with syphilis contracted from the mother during her pregnancy. This could have been avoided, as it is easy to treat in pregnant women, showing just how important sex education is in Santa Cruz.
STD testing is always available in the city. Locals of all ages can rest assured that their testing will be taken seriously and handled with dignity and care.
The clinic offers free and anonymous HIV testing. The care services are also free and confidential in a judgmental free environment.
Santa Cruz AIDS project is a commendable clinic operated by highly trained medical professionals. They treat and care for all patients irrespective of their income. It is a place of acceptance, and all patients are cared for by staff who understand the needs and are sensitive in the way they handle their patients. Services are accessible to everyone.
716 Ocean St #20, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Santa Cruz Women’s Health Centre is a low-cost clinic that offers sliding scale discounts depending on the patient's capability to pay.
Santa Cruz Women's Health Centre offers low or no-cost services to low-income earners and uninsured patients. It has bilingual staff for Spanish-speaking patients. The clinic is wheelchair accessible and tries to meet special accessibility needs.
250 Locust St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Medicaid and other insurance plans are accepted. If you don't have insurance, you may talk to them to offer you services within your budget, or you may be eligible for financial assistance. They also offer assistance on accessing insurance covers for future treatment.
Salud Para La Gente, Beach Flats Clinic, provides comprehensive care health care services to all patients without discrimination. Their services are founded on three central values, I.e., Excellent Service, Equity, and Dignity. The doctors and medical staff strive to ensure that services are personalized for each individual to meet their specific patient requirements in the best way possible.
302 Riverside Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, is a low cost is a low- cost clinic. They accept Medicaid and provide a sliding scale payment system depending on the patient's income and household size.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, is operated by a team of qualified medical staff who are friendly and supportive. Tests are done confidentially in a comfortable atmosphere. Services are affordable to everyone, and no one is denied access regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or economic status.
1119 Pacific Ave #200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
They accept Medic aid and Medicare as well as offer sliding scale discounts to low-income earners who are unable to make full payments. Everyone is welcome.
The clinic is a commendable facility. The staff are skilled and well trained on how to handle the patients and understand their individual needs.
1080 Emeline Ave Bldg D, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
The clinic offers a sliding scale payment system for the self-paying client. They accept Medicaid and Medicare.
Salud Para La Gente, Clinica Del Valle Del Pajaro provides comprehensive health care services to promote the well-being of every resident and are devoted to ensuring of a healthier community. The medical staff strives to ensure that services are tailored as per the needs of each specific patient in the best way possible. Following these commendable systems, their happy patients give a positive clinic review.
45 Nielson St, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA
Test counselors certified by the state regularly perform HIV testing in conjunction with the city’s AIDS Project. However, anonymous free HIV testing is only offered at the local office to those residents who qualify. This includes sexually active gay men, sexual assault victims, IV drug users and anyone whose significant other has already been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Test results come back the same day and testing can be performed in 15 to 20 minutes. Qualified residents can also get tested for hepatitis C.
Those who prefer to undergo STD testing without having to leave home can order a kit they can use to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two most common types of STDs diagnosed in the area. Completed tests are mailed in and residents have their test results within days.
Student volunteers at the University of California Santa Cruz help run the HIV Prevention Program. Outreach programs are held for community members where educational activities and events are led. Those who volunteer for the project are encouraged to assist in programs already established or create programs of their own in an effort to fight HIV and AIDS infection.
Residents can benefit from the local STD Community Interventions Program. This is a program that has been in place since 2000 and was originally called the Chlamydia Awareness and Prevention Program. The program targets young adults and youths in the area at risk for STDs.
Since 2014, STDs in the city have been on the rise and many blame the problem on those who seek sexual partners using the Internet. Certain dating apps have been named as the root of the problem among mostly young men. Teenagers and individuals in their 20s are the biggest demographic of those suffering from STDs.
As a result, the policy is that certain neighborhood clinics will test anyone 13 or older for an STD without requiring parental consent. They also take walk-ins, which can be done on the evenings and weekends, making it easy for teenagers to obtain STD testing when it is convenient. Many of the clinics will treat couples were both are suffering from an STD.
Health care is always a growing concern and much of the health care system focuses on the treatment and prevention of STDs in the city’s residents. The process of being tested for STDs is an easy one as clinics and other health centers perform their testing the same way a hospital would.
No matter where one lives in the city, there is a place close by where they can get tested for STDs. There are thousands of testing centers throughout the area, with 12 main locations. Tests are always conducted in private. College students are especially encouraged to have themselves tested for STDs and to seek out support if they are diagnosed.
Within the state fighting STDs is a high priority, but it is higher in this area than in other cities throughout the state. The population of University students living in the city has contributed to the growing awareness of STDs and how to successfully avoid them.
As young people are the ones most likely to contract and STD, much of the city’s focus has been on educating them and offering them the support that they need to avoid contracting one. The caring and friendly help professionals are working towards a common goal; cutting down on the number of STD diagnoses. The city will likely continue to offer full support and accessible testing for those who need the tests the most.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/data/statistics/Documents/STD-Data-LHJ-SantaCruz.pdf
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.
