5 days in San Jose & Santa Cruz Itinerary

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Mon): enjoy the scholastic atmosphere at Stanford University and then kick back and relax at Half Moon Bay State Beach. On the 11th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of Winchester Mystery House and then find something for the whole family at California's Great America.

To see ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our San Jose tour itinerary planner.

Santa Cruz to San Jose is an approximately 1-hour car ride. You can also take a bus. When traveling from Santa Cruz in July, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in San Jose: temperatures range from 81°F by day to 59°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Santa Cruz.

Bring the kids along to Chardonnay Sailing Charters and Santa Cruz Wharf. Venture out of the city with trips to Point Lobos (in Carmel) and Monterey (San Carlos Cathedral & Monterey Bay). There's much more to do: get in on the family fun at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, admire the architecture and history at Mission State Park, and delve into the mystery of Mystery Spot.

For reviews and tourist information, refer to the Santa Cruz vacation planner.

Traveling by car from San Jose to Santa Cruz takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from San Jose in July, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Santa Cruz: temperatures range from 73°F by day to 55°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.