logo
By Huuk Team

Road trip from Portland to Santa Cruz

All Category
iconSights & Landmarks
iconOutdoor Activities
iconNature & Parks
iconFood & Drink
iconMuseums
iconSpas & Wellness
iconFun & Games
Show more (1+)

ITINERARY

13h 25m693 miles12 stops
1
The Great Central Valley
Bakersfield, CA
The area located in the middle of California, marked by San Joaquin to the south and Sacramento to the north.
2
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
3
Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center
4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602-2535
Open to the public, the Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Visitors can walk through the colorful gardens lined with towering palm trees, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfall, enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area, and feel the peace of the grounds. While you're there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitors' Center, learn more about you're family's history at the FamilySearch Library, and attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter the temple itself. A coveted location for photographers, the Oakland Temple is one of the best locations to enjoy a sunset over the Bay. At night, the Oakland Temple is brightly lit and can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Devotionals, concerts, and performances are hosted throughout the month in the Temple Hill Auditorium and most events are free.
4
Lake Merritt
Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94612
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
5
Jack London's Cabin
Oakland, CA
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
6
St. Patrick Catholic Church
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
7
Sellwood
SE 13th Ave & SE Miller St, Portland, OR 97202
Neighborhood with a pleasant, small shopping area with dozens of antique shops.
8
South Waterfront Lower Tram Terminal
3303 S Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239
The Tram is a popular destination for tourists, locals and people just looking to try something fun. The lower tram terminal is at the intersection of South Moody Avenue & Gibbs Street --the most transportation-diverse intersection in the country. Besides one of the nation's only aerial commuter trams, you'll see cars, buses, a streetcar, a soaring pedestrian bridge, a cycle track and the densest bike parking in America's #1 biking city. Bike valet is offered free to the public at Portland Aerial Tram Monday through Friday. Exiting the upper terminal you'll see the largest enclosed sky bridge in North America. Take a right to access an outdoor patio with seating and views of the terminal, the cityscape, the Willamette River and, on a clear day, Mount Hood and Mount St Helens. The upper terminal links to the 4T Trail--a self-guided tour by train, trail, tram and trolley. Much of Marquam Hill is a natural area with several trails.
9
Capitello Wines
540 Charnelton St, Eugene, OR 97401-2647
Capitello Wines is a winery that spans two continents. Owner/winemaker Ray Walsh began his prolific winemaking career in his native New Zealand and landed in Oregon back in 1992 to learn the ins and outs of Oregon viticulture with King Estate Winery. In 2004, he launched his own artisan brand and Capitello Wines was born. Capitello's Oregon sourced wines are produced in the Whitaker district neighborhood and housed and sold in our quaint & cozy urban tasting room in downtown Eugene. We are centrally located and walking distance from the Hult Center, fantastic restaurants and several boutique hotels including the Graduate (formerly Hilton), the Gordon Hotel, and the Inn at the 5th. We offer seating in our tasting room inside and outside on our spacious patio (heated and covered in winter). Host a local food truck on weekends!
10
The New Zone Gallery
220 W 8th Ave corner of 11th Ave and Oak St, Eugene, OR 97401-2939
11
Broadway Metro
43 W Broadway 888 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97401-3002
The Broadway Metro cinema in downtown Eugene features seven auditoriums, ranging in size from 18 to 100+ seats. Programming includes the latest blockbusters, plus foreign, independent and classic films, and alternative content like NY Metropolitan Opera and Royal Shakespeare Company performances. Our menu includes all your favorite concession snacks, plus house-made food and desserts from our kitchen. Complete your visit with our wide selection of beverages-- over 20 NW crafted beers, ciders on draft, plus a selection of regional wines, espresso drinks and more.
12
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
1680 E. 15th Ave, Eugene, OR
The museum has exhibits, events, and educational programs. There’s always something to experience, discover, and enjoy at the museum. It's great for both kids and adults. We have two permanent exhibits featuring the history and cultures of the state: Oregon, Where Past is Present, and Explore Oregon. Completely ADA accessible and has all the amenities you might expect in a museum (bathrooms, museum store, activities for kids and adults).
Customize this Trip

OVERVIEW

1
Start:The Great Central Valley
Bakersfield, California·
4.5
(26) review
The area located in the middle of California, marked by San Joaquin to the south and Sacramento to the north.
Bakersfield, CA
2
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
3
Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center
Oakland, California·
5.0
(940) review
Open to the public, the Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. Visitors can walk through the colorful gardens lined with towering palm trees, sit by the fountains and cascading waterfall, enjoy the beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay Area, and feel the peace of the grounds. While you're there, you can take a guided tour at the Visitors' Center, learn more about you're family's history at the FamilySearch Library, and attend events at the Temple Hill Auditorium. Only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter the temple itself. A coveted location for photographers, the Oakland Temple is one of the best locations to enjoy a sunset over the Bay. At night, the Oakland Temple is brightly lit and can be seen throughout the Bay Area. Devotionals, concerts, and performances are hosted throughout the month in the Temple Hill Auditorium and most events are free.
4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602-2535
4
Lake Merritt
Oakland, California·
4.5
(926) review
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94612
5
Jack London's Cabin
Oakland, California·
3.5
(90) review
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
Oakland, CA
6
St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
7
Sellwood
Portland, Oregon·
4.5
(98) review
Neighborhood with a pleasant, small shopping area with dozens of antique shops.
SE 13th Ave & SE Miller St, Portland, OR 97202
8
South Waterfront Lower Tram Terminal
Portland, Oregon·
4.0
(993) review
The Tram is a popular destination for tourists, locals and people just looking to try something fun. The lower tram terminal is at the intersection of South Moody Avenue & Gibbs Street --the most transportation-diverse intersection in the country. Besides one of the nation's only aerial commuter trams, you'll see cars, buses, a streetcar, a soaring pedestrian bridge, a cycle track and the densest bike parking in America's #1 biking city. Bike valet is offered free to the public at Portland Aerial Tram Monday through Friday. Exiting the upper terminal you'll see the largest enclosed sky bridge in North America. Take a right to access an outdoor patio with seating and views of the terminal, the cityscape, the Willamette River and, on a clear day, Mount Hood and Mount St Helens. The upper terminal links to the 4T Trail--a self-guided tour by train, trail, tram and trolley. Much of Marquam Hill is a natural area with several trails.
3303 S Bond Ave, Portland, OR 97239
9
Capitello Wines
Eugene, Oregon·
4.0
(9) review
Capitello Wines is a winery that spans two continents. Owner/winemaker Ray Walsh began his prolific winemaking career in his native New Zealand and landed in Oregon back in 1992 to learn the ins and outs of Oregon viticulture with King Estate Winery. In 2004, he launched his own artisan brand and Capitello Wines was born. Capitello's Oregon sourced wines are produced in the Whitaker district neighborhood and housed and sold in our quaint & cozy urban tasting room in downtown Eugene. We are centrally located and walking distance from the Hult Center, fantastic restaurants and several boutique hotels including the Graduate (formerly Hilton), the Gordon Hotel, and the Inn at the 5th. We offer seating in our tasting room inside and outside on our spacious patio (heated and covered in winter). Host a local food truck on weekends!
540 Charnelton St, Eugene, OR 97401-2647
10
The New Zone Gallery
Eugene, Oregon·
5.0
(9) review
220 W 8th Ave corner of 11th Ave and Oak St, Eugene, OR 97401-2939
11
Broadway Metro
Eugene, Oregon·
4.0
(9) review
The Broadway Metro cinema in downtown Eugene features seven auditoriums, ranging in size from 18 to 100+ seats. Programming includes the latest blockbusters, plus foreign, independent and classic films, and alternative content like NY Metropolitan Opera and Royal Shakespeare Company performances. Our menu includes all your favorite concession snacks, plus house-made food and desserts from our kitchen. Complete your visit with our wide selection of beverages-- over 20 NW crafted beers, ciders on draft, plus a selection of regional wines, espresso drinks and more.
43 W Broadway 888 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97401-3002
12
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Eugene, Oregon·
4.5
(95) review
The museum has exhibits, events, and educational programs. There’s always something to experience, discover, and enjoy at the museum. It's great for both kids and adults. We have two permanent exhibits featuring the history and cultures of the state: Oregon, Where Past is Present, and Explore Oregon. Completely ADA accessible and has all the amenities you might expect in a museum (bathrooms, museum store, activities for kids and adults).
1680 E. 15th Ave, Eugene, OR

CHECKLIST

icon
GPS device or app
icon
Download Offline Map
icon
Car charger and portable battery
icon
Water bottles and snacks
icon
Travel pillow and blanket
icon
Sunglasses and sunscreen
icon
First-aid kit
icon
Trash bags
icon
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
icon
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
icon
Cash and cards
icon
Camera or smartphone
Unlock Effortless Travel Planning
Create your dream trip in minutes by this prompt. Try now!
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Portland and Santa Cruz?
The distance is 693 miles
What's the travel time between Portland and Santa Cruz?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 13h 25m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Portland and Santa Cruz?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Santa Cruz?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Santa Cruz
What’s the weather like in Santa Cruz?
The weather in Santa Cruz is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Santa Cruz in January
Weather in Santa Cruz in February
Weather in Santa Cruz in March
Weather in Santa Cruz in April
Weather in Santa Cruz in May
Weather in Santa Cruz in June
Weather in Santa Cruz in July
Weather in Santa Cruz in August
Weather in Santa Cruz in September
Weather in Santa Cruz in October
Weather in Santa Cruz in November
Weather in Santa Cruz in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Santa Cruz?
Plan your dream Santa Cruz trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
A 2-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
A 3-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
A 4-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
A 5-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
A 6-day itinerary in Santa Cruz
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Portland?
We have a lot of great trip options for Portland! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you