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By Huuk Team

Road trip from Santa Cruz to Salt Lake City

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ITINERARY

13h 51m793 miles16 stops
1
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.
2
Lake Merritt
Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94612
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
3
St. Patrick Catholic Church
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
4
Funderland Amusement Park
1350 17th Ave William Land Regional Park, Sacramento, CA 95822-1200
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!
5
California Museum
1020 O St, Sacramento, CA 95814-5704
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.
6
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
7
Enchambered: Sacramento Escape Room
2230 Arden Way Suite C, Sacramento, CA 95825-3300
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.
8
Mountain Top Sports
11000 Mount Rose Hwy, Reno, NV 89511-5002
9
Bruka Theatre
99 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1403
10
Siri's Casino
241 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1407
11
Wilbur D. May Center
1595 N Sierra St Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, Reno, NV 89503-1716
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.
12
Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
6800 Pembroke Dr, Reno, NV 89502-9554
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.
13
Sierra Nevada Zoological Park
10200 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506-9203
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.
14
Great Salt Lake
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
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.
15
Sugar House Park
1300 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106-2871
Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.
16
Red Butte Garden
300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1214
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.
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OVERVIEW

Santa Cruz to Salt Lake City
1
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.
4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602-2535
2
Lake Merritt
Oakland, California·
4.5
(926) review
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
Lakeside Park, Oakland, CA 94612
3
St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
4
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!
1350 17th Ave William Land Regional Park, Sacramento, CA 95822-1200
5
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.
1020 O St, Sacramento, CA 95814-5704
6
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
7
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.
2230 Arden Way Suite C, Sacramento, CA 95825-3300
8
Mountain Top Sports
Reno, Nevada·
4.0
(7) review
11000 Mount Rose Hwy, Reno, NV 89511-5002
9
Bruka Theatre
Reno, Nevada·
4.5
(9) review
99 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1403
10
Siri's Casino
Reno, Nevada·
3.0
(9) review
241 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501-1407
11
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.
1595 N Sierra St Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, Reno, NV 89503-1716
12
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.
6800 Pembroke Dr, Reno, NV 89502-9554
13
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.
10200 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506-9203
14
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.
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
15
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.
1300 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106-2871
16
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.
300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1214

CHECKLIST

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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Santa Cruz and Salt Lake City?
The distance is 793 miles
What's the travel time between Santa Cruz and Salt Lake City?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 13h 51m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Santa Cruz and Salt Lake City?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Salt Lake City?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Salt Lake City
What’s the weather like in Salt Lake City?
The weather in Salt Lake City is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Salt Lake City in January
Weather in Salt Lake City in February
Weather in Salt Lake City in March
Weather in Salt Lake City in April
Weather in Salt Lake City in May
Weather in Salt Lake City in June
Weather in Salt Lake City in July
Weather in Salt Lake City in August
Weather in Salt Lake City in September
Weather in Salt Lake City in October
Weather in Salt Lake City in November
Weather in Salt Lake City in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Salt Lake City?
Plan your dream Salt Lake City trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
A 2-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
A 3-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
A 4-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
A 5-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
A 6-day itinerary in Salt Lake City
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