Rides
Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride
Description
The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride is a 3-day, 200-mile fully supported cycling adventure from the heart of Sonoma wine country, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and down the California coast to Santa Cruz. For 29 years, 100 riders have come together to raise money for kids and families who need it most — over $2,100,000 and counting. This is not a race. It's a community. Limited to 100 riders. Sells out every year.
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Primary Beneficiary
This year's Rotary Ride is proud to support the first-ever Second Harvest of Santa Cruz County elementary school-based food pantry — a groundbreaking program that brings healthy food directly into schools, so kids have access to nutritious meals not just at school, but to take home to their families. Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 children in Santa Cruz County. This pantry model meets families where they are — at their child's school — removing the barriers of transportation, stigma, and time that keep so many from accessing the support they need. Your support through the Rotary Ride is a direct investment in healthier, more food-secure futures for children and families right here in our community. |
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Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery (MOD) MOD is a hands-on learning playground inside Capitola Mall where kids explore, create, and discover through 5,000+ square feet of interactive exhibits. Your support helps ensure every child in Santa Cruz County — regardless of income — has access to the wonder and joy of early learning. |
An urban farm right in the heart of Santa Cruz where people with disabilities grow food, flowers, and lasting friendships alongside their community. Through farm skills training, internships, and education, Common Roots Farm creates meaningful opportunities and genuine belonging for all. |
Ride proceeds also support youth in our community through the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary club's Charities & Grants and High School Scholarship programs.
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Day 1 Healdsburg to Rohnert Park ~51 miles Bus from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg · Fabulous lunch at Rick Hofstetter's riverside chalet on the Russian River · Hotel Centro Sonoma Wine Country, Tapestry by Hilton · Handcrafted hors d'oeuvres & cocktail hour poolside · Catered dinner & festivities |
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Day 2 Rohnert Park to Pacifica ~88 miles Early start · Lunch in Sausalito · Cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge · Ride through San Francisco · Pacifica Lighthouse Hotel at Rockaway Beach · Dinner & celebration at Nick's Restaurant |
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Day 3 Pacifica to Santa Cruz ~64 miles Finish Line Party at West Coast Community Bank, 75 River St. · Family & friends all welcome · Guests arrive by 12:30 pm · Riders gather on the Riverwalk at 12:45 pm · Triumphant arrival together at 1:00 pm · Food, music, raffles & auctions |
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$600 Registration Fee — Everything Included 2 nights premier lodging · All meals & snack stops · Bus transportation to Healdsburg · Sag & first aid support · Happy hours · 2026 commemorative ride T-shirt · Finish Line Party admission |
$1,000 min Fundraising Commitment 100% goes directly to our charities. Most riders far exceed the minimum! We make it easy — Fundraising is as Easy as 1, 2, 3 → |
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Jon & Ken's Most Excellent Adventure In 1997, two guys with bikes started something that would change Santa Cruz forever. 29 years, $2.1 million raised, and thousands of smiles later — here we are. |
In 1997, Jon Sisk and Ken Whiting had a simple idea: get on bikes, ride through some beautiful California countryside, and raise a little money for kids who needed it. No grand vision, no corporate sponsor, no marketing team. Just two guys, two bikes, and a community that showed up.
Twenty-nine years later, that simple idea has grown into one of Santa Cruz's most beloved annual traditions — still capped at 100 riders, still run entirely by volunteers, and still selling out every single year.
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"No large riding experience is needed — only a love for our beautiful state and a desire to have some fun while supporting youth in our community." — The Sunrise Rotary Ride spirit, since 1997 |
The ride winds from the heart of Sonoma wine country in Healdsburg, through the Russian River, Tomales Bay, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and down the California coast back home to Santa Cruz. It's 200 miles of rolling hills, remote seaside roads, and some of the most spectacular scenery our state has to offer.
The ride is exceptionally well supported — all food, premier lodging, medical and sag included. Seasoned riders find great challenges every day. First-timers build their experience and hit personal bests. Everyone crosses the finish line smiling.
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What makes this ride different
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Ready to Ride? Limited to 100 riders. Sells out every year. Sign up today. Sign Up Now → |
Can't Ride? Donate! 100% of every donation goes directly to our 2026 beneficiaries. Donate Now → |
Ride Route Maps
Visit our Ride Maps page for downloadable maps and turn-by-turn directions.
Ride Contact Info
2026 Rotary Ride Benificiaries
Every dollar raised through the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride goes directly to organizations making a real difference in our community. Here are the organizations your support will benefit in 2026.
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2026 Primary Beneficiary
We are proud to announce that the 2026 Rotary Ride will focus its primary giving on supporting the first-ever Second Harvest of Santa Cruz County elementary school-based food pantry — a groundbreaking initiative that brings healthy food directly into schools, so children and families can access the nutrition they need close to home. Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 children in Santa Cruz County. Traditional food bank models require families to travel, find transportation, and navigate systems that can feel intimidating. The school-based pantry removes those barriers entirely — meeting families exactly where they already are, in a place their children know and trust. Your generous support through the Rotary Ride is a direct investment in healthier, more food-secure futures for the children and families who need it most — right here in our own backyard.
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2026 Secondary Beneficiaries |
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Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery MOD MOD is a hands-on learning playground inside Capitola Mall where kids explore, create, and discover through 5,000+ square feet of interactive exhibits. Your support helps ensure every child in Santa Cruz County — regardless of income — has access to the wonder and joy of early childhood learning. Visit sccmod.org → |
Urban Farm · Santa Cruz An urban farm in the heart of Santa Cruz where people with disabilities grow food, flowers, and lasting friendships alongside their community. Through farm skills training, internships, and hands-on education, Common Roots Farm creates meaningful opportunities and genuine belonging for people of all abilities. Visit commonrootsfarm.org → |
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Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Charities, Grants & Scholarships As always, ride proceeds also support youth in our community through the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary club's Charities & Grants and High School Scholarship programs serving local students and families. |
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Ready to make a difference? You don't have to ride to be part of this. Every dollar donated goes 100% directly to our 2026 beneficiaries — no exceptions.
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