Road trip from Santa Cruz to Ann Arbor
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Sights & Landmarks
Zoos & Aquariums
Nature & Parks
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Fun & Games
Outdoor Activities
Food & Drink
Concerts & Shows
Shopping
Nightlife
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ITINERARY
42h 10m2,419 miles27 stops
1
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2
Oakland California Temple & Visitors' Center
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.
3
Funderland Amusement Park
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
4
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
5
Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
6
Wilbur D. May Center
MUSEUM/ GIFT SHOP/ ARBORETUM/ EVENT VENUE/ The Wilbur D. May Center is located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 North Sierra, Reno, Nevada. The Wilbur D. May Museum features rotating exhibits for the whole family, smaller art shows, the permanent collection of Wilbur May's travels around the globe, an adjoining botanical garden, and plays home to many events throughout the year such as weddings, executive fundraisers, and educational seminars.
7
Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
Championship golf surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nevada desert: players wind through sixty acres of protected wetlands that are home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl.
8
Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
The Sierra Nevada Zoological Society was founded by three men. Jimmie Martin, Dale McDaniel and Dave Dawson. These men translated their passion for animals into a beloved fixture of the Northern Nevada Community as the Sierra Safari Zoo, and now as the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers and sponsors have given their time, effort and money to keep the Zoo thriving. As we look forward to the next thirty years we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing our educational programs and community outreach, as well as, improving and expanding the facility and our animal enrichment programs.
9
Great Salt Lake
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
10
Sugar House Park
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
11
Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the state arboretum. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. All just minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 560,000 springtime blooms, gorgeous private rental spaces, a world-class summer concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
12
Cache La Poudre River
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
13
Farm Fusion In The Kitchen
14
Hot Shops Art Center
15
Hollywood Candy
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
16
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
17
Brenton Skating Plaza
18
German American Heritage Center
19
Endless Brews
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
20
1 Hundred West
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
21
Wrigley Field
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
22
Boystown
Located in Chicago's North Side, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its exciting nightlife and for being one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the city. It's the host of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, and a must-see in the area is the Legacy Walk on Halsted Street, where you can learn about the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while admiring the colorful street art and rainbow crosswalks. Check out the unique shops and then grab a bite at one of the area's delicious Thai or Mexican restaurants. At night, visit one of the neighborhood's bars to enjoy a drag show, concert, and tasty cocktail. Consider taking a food or walking tour of Chicago that stops by Boystown. – Tripadvisor
23
Michigan Avenue Bridge
The view from the bridge is one of the best vistas the city has to offer.
24
River Trail
25
Hudson Mills Metropark
1,549-acre Park Has An 18-hole Golf Course.
26
The Ark
This music venue and nonprofit organization is dedicated to the presentation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music through live performances by well-known and up-and-coming entertainers.
27
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of nearly 100,000 objects from the civilizations of the Mediterranean.
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
Santa Cruz to Ann Arbor
1
Start:St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
2
Start: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.
3
Start:Funderland Amusement Park
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(99) review
Historic Funderland Amusement Park is now open for its 2024 78th Anniversary season! First opened in 1946, Funderland continues to delight generations of Northern California families. Located on two lovely acres in Sacramento's beautiful 100+ year-old William Land Park, Funderland features ten child-sized amusement rides and attractions (nine of which children can also share and ride with their parents and grandparents!), four fun photo ops (perfect for family group shots!), a FunderTreats concession stand featuring delicious food, amusement park treats, and drinks, and plenty of big, mature shade trees! Funderland offers families a delightful day outside in welcoming and comfortable surroundings, and is also the perfect place to have your next birthday party, fundraiser, group, or corporate event! Parking is always free, and Funderland's one-price Gate Admission gives guests of all ages both entry to the park AND unlimited rides for the entire day!
4
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
5
Start:Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
Sacramento, California·
5.0
(98) review
Real Escape games let you live the game. We have real-life escape games where teams of 3-12 people are locked into a custom built, challenging and entertaining environments to solve the many mysteries, puzzles and challenges. You need to unlock the final clues to open the door and escape the room. Escape Rooms are fun for all ages.
6
Start:Wilbur D. May Center
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(97) review
MUSEUM/ GIFT SHOP/ ARBORETUM/ EVENT VENUE/ The Wilbur D. May Center is located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 North Sierra, Reno, Nevada. The Wilbur D. May Museum features rotating exhibits for the whole family, smaller art shows, the permanent collection of Wilbur May's travels around the globe, an adjoining botanical garden, and plays home to many events throughout the year such as weddings, executive fundraisers, and educational seminars.
7
Start:Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
Championship golf surrounded by the natural beauty of the Nevada desert: players wind through sixty acres of protected wetlands that are home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfowl.
8
Start:Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(71) review
The Sierra Nevada Zoological Society was founded by three men. Jimmie Martin, Dale McDaniel and Dave Dawson. These men translated their passion for animals into a beloved fixture of the Northern Nevada Community as the Sierra Safari Zoo, and now as the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park. Over the years, hundreds of volunteers and sponsors have given their time, effort and money to keep the Zoo thriving. As we look forward to the next thirty years we are dedicated to expanding and enhancing our educational programs and community outreach, as well as, improving and expanding the facility and our animal enrichment programs.
9
Start:Great Salt Lake
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.0
(987) review
This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
10
Start:Sugar House Park
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(99) review
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
11
Start:Red Butte Garden
Salt Lake City, Utah·
4.5
(925) review
Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the state arboretum. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. All just minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 560,000 springtime blooms, gorgeous private rental spaces, a world-class summer concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
12
Start:Cache La Poudre River
Fort Collins, Colorado·
5.0
(427) review
Colorado's only designated National Wild and Scenic River provides thrilling whitewater and paddling adventures.
13
Start:Farm Fusion In The Kitchen
Fort Collins, Colorado·
(0) review
2627 Cattlemans Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524-2023
14
Start:Hot Shops Art Center
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.5
(96) review
13th & Nicholas, Omaha, NE 68102
15
Start:Hollywood Candy
Omaha, Nebraska·
4.0
(99) review
Hollywood Candy is a giant candy store proudly serving Omaha’s Old Market since 2007. We offer a large selection of housemate chocolate candy including our chocolate covered bacon, chocolate potato chips, candy cookie pops and our famous Peanut Butter Surprise. We have all flavors or Jelly Belly jelly beans and a large selection of M&M’s. We offer the largest selection of bulk candy in the area including hard to find retro brands, favorite brands like Hershey’s and Oreo, rock candy, gummies, sour candy, and lollipops. Our Soda Shoppe offers over 200 varieties of familiar and unique soda brands. We have the largest collection of PEZ dispensers for everyone to enjoy plus a large assortment for sale.
16
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
17
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
18
Start:German American Heritage Center
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(84) review
712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802-1410
19
Start:Endless Brews
Davenport, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
We are a bottle shop & craft beer bar with 20 taps and over 300 select bottles and cans for carry-out.
20
Start:1 Hundred West
Davenport, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
1 Hundred West, in Davenport, IA, is the leading bar and grille serving Davenport and surrounding areas. We offer craft cocktails and a supper club inspired menu, along with drink specials, nightly features, wings, burgers, beer, family-style chicken fry, ribs, signature drinks, all you can eat fish fry and much more. For your next meal, visit 1 Hundred West in Davenport.
21
Start:Wrigley Field
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(9953) review
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary home of the Chicago Cubs with Wrigley Field Tours. Built in 1914, this must-see Chicago attraction houses more than 100 years of history. New this year, fans can join us on a non-gameday Ivy Tour which includes the opportunity to take a photo in front of Wrigley Field’s historic ivy wall.
22
Start:Boystown
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(98) review
Located in Chicago's North Side, this vibrant neighborhood is known for its exciting nightlife and for being one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the city. It's the host of the annual Chicago Pride Parade, and a must-see in the area is the Legacy Walk on Halsted Street, where you can learn about the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community while admiring the colorful street art and rainbow crosswalks. Check out the unique shops and then grab a bite at one of the area's delicious Thai or Mexican restaurants. At night, visit one of the neighborhood's bars to enjoy a drag show, concert, and tasty cocktail. Consider taking a food or walking tour of Chicago that stops by Boystown. – Tripadvisor
23
Start:Michigan Avenue Bridge
Chicago, Illinois·
4.5
(985) review
The view from the bridge is one of the best vistas the city has to offer.
24
Start:River Trail
Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan·
4.5
(96) review
Lansing, MI 48912
25
Start:Hudson Mills Metropark
Ann Arbor, Michigan·
4.5
(95) review
1,549-acre Park Has An 18-hole Golf Course.
26
Start:The Ark
Ann Arbor, Michigan·
4.5
(93) review
This music venue and nonprofit organization is dedicated to the presentation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music through live performances by well-known and up-and-coming entertainers.
27
Start:Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Ann Arbor, Michigan·
4.5
(99) review
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of nearly 100,000 objects from the civilizations of the Mediterranean.
CHECKLIST
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Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Santa Cruz and Ann Arbor?
The distance is 2,419 miles
What's the travel time between Santa Cruz and Ann Arbor?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 42h 10m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Santa Cruz and Ann Arbor?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Ann Arbor?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Ann Arbor
What’s the weather like in Ann Arbor?
The weather in Ann Arbor is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Ann Arbor in January
Weather in Ann Arbor in February
Weather in Ann Arbor in March
Weather in Ann Arbor in April
Weather in Ann Arbor in May
Weather in Ann Arbor in June
Weather in Ann Arbor in July
Weather in Ann Arbor in August
Weather in Ann Arbor in September
Weather in Ann Arbor in October
Weather in Ann Arbor in November
Weather in Ann Arbor in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Ann Arbor?
Plan your dream Ann Arbor trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
A 2-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
A 3-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
A 4-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
A 5-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
A 6-day itinerary in Ann Arbor
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Santa Cruz?
We have a lot of great trip options for Santa Cruz! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you