Santa Cruz Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

Depending on the time of the year, temperatures range from very warm to moderate in Santa Cruz. On average, daytime temperatures range from a very warm 30°C (86°F) in January to a moderate 15°C (59°F) in July.

Nighttime temperatures range from 14°C (57°F) in January to 4°C (39°F) in July.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

Generally, Santa Cruz has a moderate amount of precipitation, averaging 671 mm (26 in) of rainfall annually. The seasons in Santa Cruz bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, June, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 185 mm (7.3 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 5 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 2.6 mm (0.1 in) over 3 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year. For more details, please visit our Santa Cruz Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

In Santa Cruz, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 11.9 hours in January. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. June sees a soft sun for only 2.4 hours per average day.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

The relative humidity is high throughout the year in Santa Cruz.

The city experiences its highest humidity in June, reaching 91%. In January, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 65%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.

Relative humidity over the year