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 (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 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 (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 1 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.23 °C (73 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 0 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 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 (104 °F)+ 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 (40 °C)+ in the desert, humid East. Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are at their best.24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 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 (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.25 °C (77 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 0 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 1 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 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 (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 3 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Santa Cruz, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Daytime high
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Jun: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Jun: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Rain days
May: 1
Jun: 0 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jun: 0
May: Inside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
June: Inside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
Santa Cruz: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.