Road trip from Anchorage to Santa Cruz
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Nature & Parks
Food & Drink
Museums
Spas & Wellness
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ITINERARY
67h 4m3,227 miles17 stops
1
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2
Girdwood Brewing Company
Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.
3
Four Seasons Trans Group
We provide shuttle services within Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, Whittier, Palmer, Wasilla, and Girdwood.
4
Teapot Hill Trail
5
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.
6
Flattop Mountain Trail
7
Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site
The main cabin, which contains the gift shop, and the assay building at Indian Valley Mine has some of the oldest structures built on the Turnagain Arm, and are listed as a National Historic Site. Indian Valley Mine offers visitors the opportunity to learn gold panning and browse through two historic cabins built in the early 1900's a small museum and gift shop, or simply sit back on one of our benches and take in the panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm.
8
Gas Works Park
From industrial sludge to family fun: this urban park features an industrial plant-turned kiddie play area as well as a beautiful lake and picnic area.
9
Saint James Cathedral
10
Sellwood
Neighborhood with a pleasant, small shopping area with dozens of antique shops.
11
The Great Central Valley
The area located in the middle of California, marked by San Joaquin to the south and Sacramento to the north.
12
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
13
Planet Walk
14
South Waterfront Lower Tram Terminal
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.
15
Capitello Wines
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!
16
The New Zone Gallery
17
Museum of Natural and Cultural History
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).
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OVERVIEW
Anchorage to Santa Cruz
1
Start:St. Patrick Catholic Church
San Francisco, California·
4.0
(98) review
756 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103-3113
2
Start:Girdwood Brewing Company
Girdwood, Anchorage, Alaska·
4.5
(97) review
Enjoy local brews and epic views of the Chugach mountains at Girdwood Brewing Company. We have a beautiful timber framed taproom adorned with local art and ski relics. For those who prefer the outdoors, there’s an awesome beer garden with fire pits and plenty of seating. We offer up four core beers and a series of rotating taps. Root beer, cold brew coffee, and kombucha are available for those looking for an alcohol free beverage. Tasters and 12 ounce pours are available to drink in the taproom. If you are looking for beer to go, we fill growlers, sell 5 gallon kegs, and have 4-packs of 16 ounce cans with labels designed by Alaskan artists (for sale in the taproom only). Food trucks are on-site every day, and we have cool merchandise for you to take home. Girdwood Brewing Company is truly rooted in our community. We donate to a number of nonprofits and outdoor adventure organizations. Our brewery also provides year round employment to over a dozen locals.
3
Start:Four Seasons Trans Group
Anchorage, Alaska·
5.0
(98) review
We provide shuttle services within Anchorage, Seward, Talkeetna, Whittier, Palmer, Wasilla, and Girdwood.
4
Start:Teapot Hill Trail
Cultus Lake, British Columbia·
4.5
(11) review
Cultus Lake, British Columbia Canada
5
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.
6
Start:Flattop Mountain Trail
Anchorage, Alaska·
4.5
(949) review
13229 Glen Alps Rd, Anchorage, AK 99516-6967
7
Start:Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site
Indian, Anchorage, Alaska·
4.5
(95) review
The main cabin, which contains the gift shop, and the assay building at Indian Valley Mine has some of the oldest structures built on the Turnagain Arm, and are listed as a National Historic Site. Indian Valley Mine offers visitors the opportunity to learn gold panning and browse through two historic cabins built in the early 1900's a small museum and gift shop, or simply sit back on one of our benches and take in the panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm.
8
Start:Gas Works Park
Seattle, Washington·
4.5
(995) review
From industrial sludge to family fun: this urban park features an industrial plant-turned kiddie play area as well as a beautiful lake and picnic area.
9
Start:Saint James Cathedral
Seattle, Washington·
4.5
(99) review
804 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104-1296
10
Start:Sellwood
Portland, Oregon·
4.5
(98) review
Neighborhood with a pleasant, small shopping area with dozens of antique shops.
11
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.
12
Start:Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Sacramento, California·
4.0
(98) review
1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247
13
Start:Planet Walk
Anchorage, Alaska·
3.5
(8) review
5th & G Street Kincaid Park, Anchorage, AK
14
Start: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.
15
Start: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!
16
Start: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
17
Start: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).
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 Anchorage and Santa Cruz?
The distance is 3,227 miles
What's the travel time between Anchorage and Santa Cruz?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 67h 4m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Anchorage 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 Anchorage?
We have a lot of great trip options for Anchorage! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you