2025 Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride - 28th Annual!
- Date Thu 25th September 2025 - Sat 27th September 2025
- Time 5:30AM PDT
- Location Santa Cruz, California
- Price $600.00
- Races 1 race
- Distances Ultra
Just added
Secure your place early
Event summary
Join the excitement at the 28th Annual Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride, taking place from September 25 to September 27, 2025, in the beautiful coastal city of Santa Cruz! This exhilarating three-day event invites cycling enthusiasts of all levels to participate in a fully supported 200-mile ride, all while raising funds for local youth organizations. The ride kicks off in the scenic wine country of Healdsburg and winds through breathtaking landscapes, including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, before concluding at a festive Finish Line Party in Santa Cruz.
With distances of 51 miles on the first day, 88 miles on the second, and 64 miles on the final day, cyclists will enjoy delicious meals, premier lodging, and incredible camaraderie along the way. This year's primary beneficiary is the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy, dedicated to providing a safe and encouraging environment for at-risk youth. The event aims to raise funds that have previously helped local organizations exceed $2,000,000 in support. Don't miss out on this opportunity to challenge yourself, make lasting memories, and contribute to a meaningful cause—register today and be part of a transformative experience that impacts our community for generations!
With distances of 51 miles on the first day, 88 miles on the second, and 64 miles on the final day, cyclists will enjoy delicious meals, premier lodging, and incredible camaraderie along the way. This year's primary beneficiary is the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy, dedicated to providing a safe and encouraging environment for at-risk youth. The event aims to raise funds that have previously helped local organizations exceed $2,000,000 in support. Don't miss out on this opportunity to challenge yourself, make lasting memories, and contribute to a meaningful cause—register today and be part of a transformative experience that impacts our community for generations!
Organiser's Description
The_ Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride_, celebrating its 28th year, is a fun fundraising event like no other. Proceeds go to local organizations serving the youth in our community. The Rotary Ride consists of a 3-day fully supported 200 mile ride culminating at a festive Finish Line Party featuring music, food, fun and friends.
Over the years we've raised more than $2,000,000 for local organizations! Each year we choose a primary beneficiary or cause to receive the largest percentage of the ride proceeds.
We are excited to announce that this year's Rotary Ride will focus on supporting the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy [https://www.aztecasyouthsocceracademy.org]. Azteca's mission is to reclaim the lives of at-risk youth that struggle with gangs, violence, poverty, and drugs in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. The academy was established to provide an alternative to gang involvement and violence, using soccer as a unifying and empowering tool
[https://www.countyparkfriends.org/jadestpark.html]
Read more [https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/SantaCruzSunriseRotaryRide3Day/Page-14] about our partnership with Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy and how your generous support will be an investment impacting hundreds of children and their families providing positive benefit to our community for generations.
Our secondary beneficiaries this year include: SIENNA HOUSE [https://www.sienahouse.org], whose mission is to give new mothers experiencing homelessness a solid foundation as parents, and their babies the best start in life, by providing a supportive environment throughout pregnancy and a babys critical first year of development. And THE CABRILLO COLLEGE CHILDREN'S CENTER [https://www.cabrillo.edu/childrens-center/] a place to _Transform the Future Together, From Birth to Adulthood_ by offering a high-quality and diverse early care and education learning environment and a strong Early Childhood Workforce Development Program.
And, as always, the ride proceeds will support other youth organizations in our community through the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary [https://www.SantaCruzSunriseRotary.org] club's _Charities and Grants_ [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwUHTqGPcNYMZmVweWJqaWNIYWc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-zP6o4pQYe9DnIAa3LGEq2A] and _High School Scholarship_ [http://scholarships.santacruzsunriserotary.org] programs.
The History of the Sunrise Rotary Ride, aka, _Jon & Ken's Most Excellent Adventure_
In 1997 Jon Sisk and Ken Whiting created a biking fundraiser that over the years has grown into our current 3-day adventure. Our ride begins in the heart of the wine country in Healdsburg and takes us through the beauty of the Russian River, Sonoma County wine country, Tomales Bay to San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge and down the coast to Santa Cruz. 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 ride is exceptionally well supported including all food, premier lodging, medical and sag. You can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy every bit of every day, while you do the ride that you want to do. The route incorporates rolling hills, some optional steeper hills, remote seaside riding and in-town riding. More seasoned riders can find great challenges each day, while entry level riders can build their experience and achieve their personal bests.
Day 1 We take a bus from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg and set out just before lunch to ride 51 miles to the Rohnert Park. Along the way, a fabulous lunch is served at Rick Hofstetter's river-side chalet on the Russian River. Lodging is at the newly rebranded Hotel Centro Sonoma Wine Country, Tapestry by Hilton [https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/stsrhup-hotel-centro-sonoma-wine-country/] A scrumptious spread of hand crafted hors d'oeuvres and beverages are served at cocktail hour around the hot tub followed by a catered dinner and festivities.
Day 2 Get an early start for an 88 mile ride from Rohnert Park to Pacifica. Lunch is served in Sausalito just before you cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. From there we ride through San Francisco then on to Pacifica where we spend Friday night at the Pacifica Lighthouse Hotel [https://www.pacificalighthouse.com] at Rockaway Beach. Dinner and celebration of the day's accomplishments is at Nicks Restaurant [https://nicksrestaurant.net].
Day 3 64 Miles from Pacifica to Santa Cruz, culminating in a finish line party at Santa Cruz County Bank [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Santa+Cruz+County+Bank/@36.977358,-122.0258416,19z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808e40266e480c09:0xbb73e877256c3d50!8m2!3d36.977305!4d-122.0253413] (75 River St. Santa Cruz) where we join up with family and friends (all are invited) for food, drink, music raffles and auctions. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the finish line party by 12:30pm. Riders will gather on the Riverwalk adjacent to the Kaiser Permanente / Santa Cruz Warriors Arena at 12:45pm and triumphantly ride into the party at 1:00pm.
And best of all, everything is included!
The ride brings together like-minded individuals committed to supporting our youth and provides great opportunities for fun and networking. This event is a fundraiser with an all-volunteer crew. 100% of the proceeds go to the charities.
THE $600 REGISTRATION FEE COVERS ALL RIDER EXPENSES including transportation to Healdsburg, 2 nights premier lodging, all meals, snack stops, happy hours, sag and medical support, the 2025 commemorative ride T-shirt and admittance to the Finish Line Party.
RIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO FUNDRAISE A MINIMUM OF $1000 (in addition to the $600 registration fee) 100% of which goes to our designated charities. As part of the registration process, you will be guided through the creation of a personal fundraising web page that you can use to support your fundraising efforts. Although $1,000 is the minimum riders commit to raise, most will far exceed that amount with our easy to use fundraising platform.
FOR TIPS ON HOW TO MOUNT AN EASY AND SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EFFORT, check out our guide _Fundraising is as easy as 1, 2, 3._ [https://SunriseRotaryRide.org/Fundraising]
The Sunrise Rotary Ride is limited to only 100 participants and always sells out so sign up today!
Over the years we've raised more than $2,000,000 for local organizations! Each year we choose a primary beneficiary or cause to receive the largest percentage of the ride proceeds.
We are excited to announce that this year's Rotary Ride will focus on supporting the Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy [https://www.aztecasyouthsocceracademy.org]. Azteca's mission is to reclaim the lives of at-risk youth that struggle with gangs, violence, poverty, and drugs in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. The academy was established to provide an alternative to gang involvement and violence, using soccer as a unifying and empowering tool
[https://www.countyparkfriends.org/jadestpark.html]
Read more [https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/SantaCruzSunriseRotaryRide3Day/Page-14] about our partnership with Aztecas Youth Soccer Academy and how your generous support will be an investment impacting hundreds of children and their families providing positive benefit to our community for generations.
Our secondary beneficiaries this year include: SIENNA HOUSE [https://www.sienahouse.org], whose mission is to give new mothers experiencing homelessness a solid foundation as parents, and their babies the best start in life, by providing a supportive environment throughout pregnancy and a babys critical first year of development. And THE CABRILLO COLLEGE CHILDREN'S CENTER [https://www.cabrillo.edu/childrens-center/] a place to _Transform the Future Together, From Birth to Adulthood_ by offering a high-quality and diverse early care and education learning environment and a strong Early Childhood Workforce Development Program.
And, as always, the ride proceeds will support other youth organizations in our community through the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary [https://www.SantaCruzSunriseRotary.org] club's _Charities and Grants_ [https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwUHTqGPcNYMZmVweWJqaWNIYWc/view?usp=sharing&resourcekey=0-zP6o4pQYe9DnIAa3LGEq2A] and _High School Scholarship_ [http://scholarships.santacruzsunriserotary.org] programs.
The History of the Sunrise Rotary Ride, aka, _Jon & Ken's Most Excellent Adventure_
In 1997 Jon Sisk and Ken Whiting created a biking fundraiser that over the years has grown into our current 3-day adventure. Our ride begins in the heart of the wine country in Healdsburg and takes us through the beauty of the Russian River, Sonoma County wine country, Tomales Bay to San Francisco, over the Golden Gate Bridge and down the coast to Santa Cruz. 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 ride is exceptionally well supported including all food, premier lodging, medical and sag. You can rest assured that you will be able to enjoy every bit of every day, while you do the ride that you want to do. The route incorporates rolling hills, some optional steeper hills, remote seaside riding and in-town riding. More seasoned riders can find great challenges each day, while entry level riders can build their experience and achieve their personal bests.
Day 1 We take a bus from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg and set out just before lunch to ride 51 miles to the Rohnert Park. Along the way, a fabulous lunch is served at Rick Hofstetter's river-side chalet on the Russian River. Lodging is at the newly rebranded Hotel Centro Sonoma Wine Country, Tapestry by Hilton [https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/stsrhup-hotel-centro-sonoma-wine-country/] A scrumptious spread of hand crafted hors d'oeuvres and beverages are served at cocktail hour around the hot tub followed by a catered dinner and festivities.
Day 2 Get an early start for an 88 mile ride from Rohnert Park to Pacifica. Lunch is served in Sausalito just before you cross the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. From there we ride through San Francisco then on to Pacifica where we spend Friday night at the Pacifica Lighthouse Hotel [https://www.pacificalighthouse.com] at Rockaway Beach. Dinner and celebration of the day's accomplishments is at Nicks Restaurant [https://nicksrestaurant.net].
Day 3 64 Miles from Pacifica to Santa Cruz, culminating in a finish line party at Santa Cruz County Bank [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Santa+Cruz+County+Bank/@36.977358,-122.0258416,19z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808e40266e480c09:0xbb73e877256c3d50!8m2!3d36.977305!4d-122.0253413] (75 River St. Santa Cruz) where we join up with family and friends (all are invited) for food, drink, music raffles and auctions. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the finish line party by 12:30pm. Riders will gather on the Riverwalk adjacent to the Kaiser Permanente / Santa Cruz Warriors Arena at 12:45pm and triumphantly ride into the party at 1:00pm.
And best of all, everything is included!
The ride brings together like-minded individuals committed to supporting our youth and provides great opportunities for fun and networking. This event is a fundraiser with an all-volunteer crew. 100% of the proceeds go to the charities.
THE $600 REGISTRATION FEE COVERS ALL RIDER EXPENSES including transportation to Healdsburg, 2 nights premier lodging, all meals, snack stops, happy hours, sag and medical support, the 2025 commemorative ride T-shirt and admittance to the Finish Line Party.
RIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO FUNDRAISE A MINIMUM OF $1000 (in addition to the $600 registration fee) 100% of which goes to our designated charities. As part of the registration process, you will be guided through the creation of a personal fundraising web page that you can use to support your fundraising efforts. Although $1,000 is the minimum riders commit to raise, most will far exceed that amount with our easy to use fundraising platform.
FOR TIPS ON HOW TO MOUNT AN EASY AND SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EFFORT, check out our guide _Fundraising is as easy as 1, 2, 3._ [https://SunriseRotaryRide.org/Fundraising]
The Sunrise Rotary Ride is limited to only 100 participants and always sells out so sign up today!
Reviews
Done this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event.
Add a review2025 Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Ride - 28th Annual!
