Midtown to Meta Commute

What the Drive Is Like

Living in Midtown and working at Meta means a longer drive, but one that many residents find worthwhile for the lifestyle trade-off. Midtown sits in the heart of Santa Cruz, about 8 minutes to Highway 17 via Ocean Street. Your route to Meta HQ in Menlo Park heads through the bustling center of town before heading up to the summit.

The heart of the commute is Highway 17, a winding mountain highway through the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s a well-maintained road, but it demands attention, especially in wet weather. Most commuters quickly learn its rhythm and find it manageable. From Highway 17, you’ll take I-280 North along the peninsula. The stretch through Woodside and Atherton is scenic, and Meta’s Menlo Park campus at 1 Hacker Way sits right off the freeway.

Best Times to Commute

Off-peak, the drive takes about 61 minutes. During rush hour, expect closer to 71 minutes. With a longer commute, timing is everything. Leave before 6:30 AM if possible, and consider shifting your return to after 7:00 PM or before 3:30 PM. A hybrid schedule with 2-3 days in the office makes this commute much more sustainable.

Many Meta employees who live in Santa Cruz County negotiate hybrid schedules, working from home 2-3 days per week. This cuts your weekly commute in half and makes the drive feel much less routine.

Tips for the Commute

• Check conditions before you go. Highway 17 can slow down in rain or fog. A quick look at traffic apps before leaving saves frustration.
• Use the Highway 17 Express Bus. Santa Cruz Metro runs a direct bus from Santa Cruz to San Jose Diridon Station, where you can transfer to Caltrain or VTA light rail. It’s a great option for days when you want to skip driving.
• Build a commute routine. Podcasts, audiobooks, or language lessons make the drive productive. Many Midtown commuters say they actually enjoy the dedicated downtime.
• Explore a hybrid schedule. With a longer commute, even one or two remote days per week makes a significant quality-of-life difference.

Why Midtown Works for Meta Employees

Midtown offers a family-friendly community with good schools, and more accessible price points for the area. With a median home price around $1.4M, it provides a different kind of value than what you’ll find closer to Menlo Park.

The trade-off is clear: a longer commute in exchange for a lifestyle that most Bay Area suburbs simply cannot match. Many Meta workers who have made this move say they wouldn’t go back.