Road trip from Santa Cruz to Reno
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Sights & Landmarks
Zoos & Aquariums
Nature & Parks
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
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Sights & Landmarks
Zoos & Aquariums
Nature & Parks
Water & Amusement Parks
Museums
Shopping
Fun & Games
Outdoor Activities
Concerts & Shows
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ITINERARY
5h 27m276 miles16 stops
1
Jack London's Cabin
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
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
Lake Merritt
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
4
St. Patrick Catholic Church
5
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!
6
California Museum
Home of the official California Hall of Fame, the California Museum educates and enlightens visitors on California's rich history and unique influence on the world through innovation, the arts and culture. Through engaging exhibits and educational programs, the Museum inspires visitors to make their own mark on history. Long-term signature exhibitions include: • California Hall of Fame • California Indians: The First People • California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real • California's Remarkable Women • Constitution Wall • Health Happens Here • Uprooted! Japanese Americans During WWII In addition, 6-8 temporary exhibitions exploring the state's history, arts and culture are also on display each year.
7
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
8
Midtown Farmers Market
Hosted by the Midtown Association and managed by Unseen Heroes, this free, family-friendly market takes place year-round, every Saturday, on 20th street between J and L streets. The Midtown Farmers Market showcases local agriculture, prepared foods, and artisans and crafters while providing an opportunity for Midtown residents and business owners to discover regionally grown foods. Anchored in the heart of Midtown, the market serves as a lively and fun gathering place where Sacramentans can come together to shop and enjoy the community with neighbors and visitors alike. Experience Chef Demos, Live Music, a Kids Play Area, and more all next to the popular MARRS building that is packed with stores and restaurants to further enhance your Saturday experience. Thanks for making the Midtown Farmers Market part of your weekend routine!
9
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.
10
Mountain Top Sports
11
Galena Creek Regional Park
Popular year-round, this regional park offers hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.
12
Bruka Theatre
13
Siri's Casino
14
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.
15
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.
16
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.
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OVERVIEW
Santa Cruz to Reno
1
Start:Jack London's Cabin
Oakland, California·
3.5
(90) review
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
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:Lake Merritt
Oakland, California·
4.5
(926) review
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
4
Start:St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
5
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!
6
Start:California Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(90) review
Home of the official California Hall of Fame, the California Museum educates and enlightens visitors on California's rich history and unique influence on the world through innovation, the arts and culture. Through engaging exhibits and educational programs, the Museum inspires visitors to make their own mark on history. Long-term signature exhibitions include: • California Hall of Fame • California Indians: The First People • California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real • California's Remarkable Women • Constitution Wall • Health Happens Here • Uprooted! Japanese Americans During WWII In addition, 6-8 temporary exhibitions exploring the state's history, arts and culture are also on display each year.
7
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
8
Start:Midtown Farmers Market
Sacramento, California·
5.0
(9) review
Hosted by the Midtown Association and managed by Unseen Heroes, this free, family-friendly market takes place year-round, every Saturday, on 20th street between J and L streets. The Midtown Farmers Market showcases local agriculture, prepared foods, and artisans and crafters while providing an opportunity for Midtown residents and business owners to discover regionally grown foods. Anchored in the heart of Midtown, the market serves as a lively and fun gathering place where Sacramentans can come together to shop and enjoy the community with neighbors and visitors alike. Experience Chef Demos, Live Music, a Kids Play Area, and more all next to the popular MARRS building that is packed with stores and restaurants to further enhance your Saturday experience. Thanks for making the Midtown Farmers Market part of your weekend routine!
9
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.
10
Start:Mountain Top Sports
Reno, Nevada·
4.0
(7) review
11000 Mount Rose Hwy, Reno, NV 89511-5002
11
Start:Galena Creek Regional Park
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(57) review
Popular year-round, this regional park offers hiking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.
12
Start:Bruka Theatre
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(9) review
99 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1403
13
Start:Siri's Casino
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
241 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1407
14
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.
15
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.
16
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.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
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
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Santa Cruz and Reno?
The distance is 276 miles
What's the travel time between Santa Cruz and Reno?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 5h 27m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Santa Cruz and Reno?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Reno?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Reno
What’s the weather like in Reno?
The weather in Reno is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Reno in January
Weather in Reno in February
Weather in Reno in March
Weather in Reno in April
Weather in Reno in May
Weather in Reno in June
Weather in Reno in July
Weather in Reno in August
Weather in Reno in September
Weather in Reno in October
Weather in Reno in November
Weather in Reno in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Reno?
Plan your dream Reno trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Reno
A 2-day itinerary in Reno
A 3-day itinerary in Reno
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A 6-day itinerary in Reno
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