AI-generatedSanta Cruz at a glance
- Best time
- Apr – Oct
- Warmest month
- Sep · 19°
- Warmest sea
- Sep · 14.9°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,910 h
- Rain a year
- 680 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC−8 / UTC−7
- Elevation
- 11 m
Climate in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. September is the warmest month with average highs of 19 °C, while January is the coolest at 14 °C. With around 2,910 hours of sunshine a year, Santa Cruz is sunny; June is the sunniest month with 10.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Santa Cruz
The best time to visit Santa Cruz is from April to October. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in September it only reaches 14.9 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from March to November. The wettest month is December with 142 mm of precipitation.
Santa Cruz through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Santa Cruz in spring
Mar – May
Excellent
- 15–16 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 8.5 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days in all
Santa Cruz in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 17–18 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 10.1 h of sun a day
- 1 rainy day in all
Santa Cruz in autumn
Sep – Nov
Excellent
- 17–19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days in all
Santa Cruz in winter
Dec – Feb
Good
- 14–15 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 5.6 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Mar – Nov
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Santa Cruz for you.
Your best months: August – October
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: April – October
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 14°
- Midday, 13:00: about 18°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 19°
- Evening, 20:00: about 16°
- Night, 23:00: about 15°
07:1418:33
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:58–07:49 · evening 17:58–18:49
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:48–06:58 · evening 18:49–18:59
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Santa Cruz compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 19° at the start of the month to 18° at the end. The sea cools from 15° to 14°. The days get 1.1 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 19° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 13° | 12° |
| Sea | 15° | 14° |
| Daylight | 11.9 h | 10.8 h |
What is the weather like in Santa Cruz in October?
In October, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 31 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 19 min07:14 – 18:33
- UV index
- 5 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 17 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 30 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC−7offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %78 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %100 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
Compare two months in Santa Cruz
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
October and August bring similar holiday weather to Santa Cruz (score 96 and 100). In August, days are 1 °C cooler than in October. The sea is about as warm in both months. August has 3 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 96 | 100 |
| Daytime high | 19° | 18° |
| Night-time low | 13° | 14° |
| Sea | 14.4° | 14.6° |
| Sunshine | 7.7 h | 9.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 3 | 0better |
| Rainfall | 31 mm | 1 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Santa Cruz month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
58January14° · Sea 13° · 5.4 h
In January, Santa Cruz is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 135 mm in total. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in January64February15° · Sea 13° · 6.2 h
In February, Santa Cruz is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 139 mm in total. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in February70March15° · Sea 12° · 7.1 h
In March, Santa Cruz is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 12.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 92 mm in total. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in March86April16° · Sea 12° · 8.7 h
In April, Santa Cruz is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 42 mm in total. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in April92May16° · Sea 12° · 9.7 h
In May, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 12.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 19 mm in total. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in May96June17° · Sea 13° · 10.4 h
In June, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 12.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 10.4 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in June97July17° · Sea 14° · 10.2 h
In July, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 10.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in July100August18° · Sea 15° · 9.7 h
In August, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 14.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in August100September19° · Sea 15° · 9.1 h
In September, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 14.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9.1 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in September96October19° · Sea 14° · 7.7 h
In October, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 14.4 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 31 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in October79November17° · Sea 14° · 6.2 h
In November, Santa Cruz is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 13.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 73 mm. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in November57December15° · Sea 13° · 5.2 h
In December, Santa Cruz is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 13.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 142 mm in total. All in all, December is a so-so month for a holiday in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate tableWarmest in September: 19°
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Santa Cruz
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cool 8–15°
CoolOctober: nights around 13°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in December (9°), the warmest in August (14°).
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 58 | 14° | 10° | 12.6° | 5.4 h | 9 | 135 |
| FebruaryFeb | 64 | 15° | 10° | 12.5° | 6.2 h | 9 | 139 |
| MarchMar | 70 | 15° | 10° | 12.3° | 7.1 h | 9 | 92 |
| AprilApr | 86 | 16° | 11° | 12.0° | 8.7 h | 5 | 42 |
| MayMay | 92 | 16° | 12° | 12.1° | 9.7 h | 3 | 19 |
| JuneJun | 96 | 17° | 13° | 12.8° | 10.4 h | 1 | 3 |
| JulyJul | 97 | 17° | 14° | 13.8° | 10.2 h | 0 | 0 |
| AugustAug | 100 | 18° | 14° | 14.6° | 9.7 h | 0 | 1 |
| SeptemberSep | 100 | 19° | 14° | 14.9° | 9.1 h | 1 | 3 |
| OctoberOct | 96 | 19° | 13° | 14.4° | 7.7 h | 3 | 31 |
| NovemberNov | 79 | 17° | 11° | 13.7° | 6.2 h | 7 | 73 |
| DecemberDec | 57 | 15° | 9° | 13.0° | 5.2 h | 10 | 142 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
36.97° N, 122.03° W · 11 m · America/Los_Angeles
Sea temperatureUp to 15° in September
Sea temperature in Santa Cruz
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 13.4 – 16.2 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Santa Cruz ranges from 12.0 °C in April to 14.9 °C in September. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea temperature varies from year to year: in September, eight out of ten years were between 13.7 and 16.5 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 12.6° | 11.5° | 13.7° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 12.5° | 11.5° | 13.5° | cold |
| MarchMar | 12.3° | 11.1° | 13.7° | cold |
| AprilApr | 12.0° | 10.9° | 13.0° | cold |
| MayMay | 12.1° | 11.0° | 13.3° | cold |
| JuneJun | 12.8° | 11.8° | 14.0° | cold |
| JulyJul | 13.8° | 13.0° | 14.5° | cold |
| AugustAug | 14.6° | 13.3° | 16.1° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 14.9° | 13.7° | 16.5° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 14.4° | 13.4° | 16.2° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 13.7° | 12.6° | 14.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 13.0° | 11.6° | 14.4° | cold |
Sunshine2,910 hours a year
Sunshine hours in Santa Cruz
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 7.7 of 11.3 hours of daylight in Santa Cruz, 68 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain680 mm a year, most in December
Rain in Santa Cruz: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Santa Cruz has about 3 rainy days with 31 mm of rain in total.
UV indexUp to 10 in June
UV index in Santa Cruz
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 5 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 30 min
- Fair skin
- about 35 min
- Light brown skin
- about 50 min
- Olive skin
- about 65 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & cloudsWindiest in April: 21 km/h
Wind and clouds in Santa Cruz
How breezy and how cloudy Santa Cruz is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Santa Cruz typically peaks at 17 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Feb – Jun.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 30 % of the sky over Santa Cruz: mostly sunny, with about 7.7 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Planning a trip to Santa Cruz
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Santa Cruz in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Santa Cruz has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 99) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 58).
- 81
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Excellent
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 8.2 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 93
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 12 °C
- 9.8 h of sun a day
- 2 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 99
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 18 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 9.9 h of sun a day
- 0 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 96
October half-term
Oct
Excellent
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 3 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 58
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 10 h 55 min
- Distance
- 8,660 km
- Time zone
- UTC−7
- Jet lag
- About 5 days (8 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: USA
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Sockets
- Type A, B · 120 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +1
- Emergency number
- 911
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Only 120 V: chargers marked 100–240 V work, other devices need a voltage converter.
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Santa Cruz compared
Put Santa Cruz side by side with another destination.
Santa Cruz vs San Jose
In October the holiday weather in Santa Cruz and San Jose is about equally good (score 96 vs 96). During the day San Jose is 5 °C warmer than Santa Cruz.
| in October | Santa Cruz | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 96 | 96 |
| Daytime high | 19° | 24° |
| Sea | 14° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 8 h | 8 h |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 |
| Best time | Apr – Oct | Apr – Nov |
Through the year
Best places in the country
USA in October: the best places
In October, Santa Cruz ranks 9 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Fresno26°99
- 2Mariposa (Yosemite)24°98
- 3Bakersfield27°98
- 4Los Angeles23°19°98
- 5Long Beach26°19°98
- 6Monterey21°15°97
- 7Carmel-by-the-Sea19°15°97
- 8Anaheim25°97
- 9Santa CruzThis page19°14°96
Places nearby4 places within 95 km
Near Santa Cruz
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climatee.g. Ericeira and Vila do Bispo
Places with a climate like Santa Cruz
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Santa Cruz's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Santa Cruz
When is the best time to visit Santa Cruz?
The best time to visit Santa Cruz is from April to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Santa Cruz?
The sea temperature in Santa Cruz ranges from 12.0 °C in April to 14.9 °C in September. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Santa Cruz in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 14.4 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Santa Cruz?
September is the warmest month, with average highs of 19 °C and nights around 14 °C. January is the coolest month at 14 °C.
When does it rain most in Santa Cruz?
The wettest month is December with 142 mm of precipitation. The driest month is July with 0 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Santa Cruz get?
Santa Cruz gets around 2,910 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 10.4 hours a day; in December there are 5.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Santa Cruz in?
Santa Cruz is on UTC−8 in January and UTC−7 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Santa Cruz?
A nonstop flight from London to Santa Cruz takes about 10 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 8,660 km.
Which school holidays are best for Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 99) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 58). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 81, May half-term 93, summer holidays 99, October half-term 96, Christmas holidays 58.