When to go · Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) / 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 6
- Crowds
- Low
- United States overall
- Prices
- Low
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- MayGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
- JuneGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
- SeptemberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
- OctoberGreatInside Santa Cruz's best window: Sep–Oct (warmest, driest); May–Jun for redwoods.
Weather in January
- Santa CruzHighs around 17 °C (63 °F), lows around 5 °C (41 °F), rain on about 6 daysHighs around 63 °F (17 °C), lows around 41 °F (5 °C), rain on about 6 days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Low
- Prices · United States overall
- Low
United States overall: Cold and snowy north and in the mountains; Florida, Hawaii and the desert Southwest are the picks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Santa Cruz, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Jan: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 6
May: 1 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
May: 1
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Mar (rain, landslide closures on mountain roads).
May: 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.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings