Road trip from Sunnyvale to Santa Cruz
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Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
Food & Drink
Museums
Fun & Games
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Outdoor Activities
Sights & Landmarks
Nature & Parks
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Museums
Fun & Games
Nightlife
Shopping
Spas & Wellness
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ITINERARY
0h 51m33 miles15 stops
1
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.
2
Jack London's Cabin
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
3
Lake Merritt
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
4
Barebottle Brewing Company
Big immersive open-format Brewery and Tap Room in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco producing locally-inspired beers with local ingredients via a competitive sourcing method. Amazing array of innovative beers in a space perfect for groups of all sizes, big and small. Daily Tours and Brewing Classes available. Families and Pets are welcome. Snacks available, and often has food trucks with yummy eats just outside.
5
Urban Putt
6
Make-Out Room
7
Southern Pacific Brewing
8
Suchada Traditional Thai Massage
First location: A unique opportunity to experience a traditional therapeutic Thai massage outside of Thailand. Beautiful ambiance decorated with antiques and friendly people.
9
Barbary Coast Dispensary
10
St. Patrick Catholic Church
11
Noc Noc
12
Buffalo Exchange
Popular store to find vintage and trendy secondhand clothing.
13
Haas - Lilienthal House
This Queen Anne style home, now a museum, was the house where the merchant family of blue jeans (Haas) and canned goods (Lilienthal) lived.
14
Boudin at the Wharf
This bakery produces traditional San Francisco sourdough and French breads that can be shipped or mail-ordered.
15
Cartoon Art Museum
Cartoon Art Museum has something for everyone — from comic strips, comic books and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground comix. Visitors of all ages can view original cartoon art at exhibitions and screenings, produce their own comics and animation at classes and workshops, research deeply into our collection and library, and mingle with professional and aspiring cartoonists. The Museum's mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. Located at 781 Beach Street (just one block from Aquatic Park, the Maritime Museum, Ghirardelli Square, and the Hyde Street cable car turnaround), the first floor gallery and lobby offer a beautiful historic façade, prominent street presence, convenient parking, and easy access to and from public transportation. Visit our website for a list of current exhibitions.
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OVERVIEW
Sunnyvale to Santa Cruz
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.
2
Start:Jack London's Cabin
Oakland, California·
3.5
(90) review
Jack London's Yukon home during the winter of 1897-98.
3
Start:Lake Merritt
Oakland, California·
4.5
(926) review
Saltwater lake in the middle of the city.
4
Start:Barebottle Brewing Company
San Francisco, California·
5.0
(89) review
Big immersive open-format Brewery and Tap Room in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco producing locally-inspired beers with local ingredients via a competitive sourcing method. Amazing array of innovative beers in a space perfect for groups of all sizes, big and small. Daily Tours and Brewing Classes available. Families and Pets are welcome. Snacks available, and often has food trucks with yummy eats just outside.
5
Start:Urban Putt
San Francisco, California·
4.5
(87) review
1096 S van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110-2616
6
Start:Make-Out Room
San Francisco, California·
3.5
(9) review
3225 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110-3006
7
Start:Southern Pacific Brewing
San Francisco, California·
3.5
(9) review
620 Treat Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110-2016
8
Start:Suchada Traditional Thai Massage
San Francisco, California·
5.0
(9) review
First location: A unique opportunity to experience a traditional therapeutic Thai massage outside of Thailand. Beautiful ambiance decorated with antiques and friendly people.
9
Start:Barbary Coast Dispensary
San Francisco, California·
5.0
(90) review
952 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-2911
10
Start:St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
11
Start:Noc Noc
San Francisco, California·
4.5
(9) review
557 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117-3406
12
Start:Buffalo Exchange
San Francisco, California·
3.5
(9) review
Popular store to find vintage and trendy secondhand clothing.
13
Start:Haas - Lilienthal House
San Francisco, California·
4.5
(91) review
This Queen Anne style home, now a museum, was the house where the merchant family of blue jeans (Haas) and canned goods (Lilienthal) lived.
14
Start:Boudin at the Wharf
San Francisco, California·
4.5
(943) review
This bakery produces traditional San Francisco sourdough and French breads that can be shipped or mail-ordered.
15
Start:Cartoon Art Museum
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(93) review
Cartoon Art Museum has something for everyone — from comic strips, comic books and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground comix. Visitors of all ages can view original cartoon art at exhibitions and screenings, produce their own comics and animation at classes and workshops, research deeply into our collection and library, and mingle with professional and aspiring cartoonists. The Museum's mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art, its role in society, and its universal appeal. Located at 781 Beach Street (just one block from Aquatic Park, the Maritime Museum, Ghirardelli Square, and the Hyde Street cable car turnaround), the first floor gallery and lobby offer a beautiful historic façade, prominent street presence, convenient parking, and easy access to and from public transportation. Visit our website for a list of current exhibitions.
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
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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
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Sunnyvale and Santa Cruz?
The distance is 33 miles
What's the travel time between Sunnyvale and Santa Cruz?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 0h 51m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Sunnyvale 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
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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 Sunnyvale?
We have a lot of great trip options for Sunnyvale! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you