Climate - Santa Cruz (California)

The climate of Santa Cruz is sub-tropical, with mild, rainy winters and quite warm, sunny summers.
The city is located on the California coast, 100 km (60 mi) southeast of San Francisco, in the northern part of Monterey Bay. Here, and in the nearby town of Watsonville, the weather is a bit warmer in summer than in other coastal cities, because the mountains to the north partially protect it from the wind blowing from the ocean. However, even here, in summer it can be a bit cold at night, also, morning mists can form.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature can reach or exceed 35 °C (95 °F), when the wind blows from the desert. This can also happen in September and October.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 10.7 °C (51.2 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 18.4 °C (65.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 780 millimeters (30.5 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (July, August) to 165 mm (6.5 in) in the wettest (January). In winter, the rains are more abundant than in other coastal areas of California due to the proximity of the mountains. Here is the average precipitation.

The sea temperature ranges between 12.5 °C (55 °F) and 16 °C (61 °F). So, the sea is cold for swimming even in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

Santa Cruz can be visited from May to mid-October, since it is a mild and sunny period. However, there may be morning fogs.

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