When to go · Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, month by month
The best months for Santa Cruz: May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).17 °C / 5 °C, 6 rain days63 °F / 41 °F, 6 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).18 °C / 6 °C, 6 rain days64 °F / 43 °F, 6 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).19 °C / 7 °C, 4 rain days66 °F / 45 °F, 4 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods). Across United States: Good month for the Southwest, Washington cherry blossoms, the South; mountain roads still closed.21 °C / 8 °C, 2 rain days70 °F / 46 °F, 2 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.22 °C / 9 °C, 1 rain days72 °F / 48 °F, 1 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.23 °C / 11 °C, 0 rain days73 °F / 52 °F, 0 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyMixedOutside the best window (Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods). Across United States: Peak season: parks full, 4 July crowds, 40 °C+ in the desert, humid East. Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are at their best.Outside the best window (Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods). Across United States: Peak season: parks full, 4 July crowds, 104 °F+ in the desert, humid East. Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are at their best.24 °C / 13 °C, 0 rain days75 °F / 55 °F, 0 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustMixedOutside the best window (Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods). Across United States: Hot and busy; wildfire smoke in the West, hurricane peak begins in the Southeast.24 °C / 13 °C, 0 rain days75 °F / 55 °F, 0 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.25 °C / 11 °C, 0 rain days77 °F / 52 °F, 0 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.23 °C / 10 °C, 1 rain days73 °F / 50 °F, 1 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods). Across United States: Quiet between holidays; Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel period of the year.19 °C / 7 °C, 3 rain days66 °F / 45 °F, 3 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).16 °C / 5 °C, 6 rain days61 °F / 41 °F, 6 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday