Average Monthly Sunshine in Santa Cruz

The graphs on this page shows the average number of hours per month and per day that Santa Cruz receives direct sunlight. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting Santa Cruz, timing is key. In March, you can enjoy up to 250 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of June provide just 120 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 2210 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

In Santa Cruz, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 8.3 hours in March. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. June sees a soft sun for only 4.0 hours per day.

Santa Cruz’s total hours of sunshine compared to other major cities

Santa Cruz enjoys an average of 2210 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

The city of Rome, Italy, experiences 2470 hours of sunshine annually, adding to its charm as a year-round tourist destination.

In contrast, Juneau, Alaska, receives only about 1523 hours of sunshine per year and is known for its very short days in winter and frequently overcast conditions.

Beijing, China, has 2505 hours of sunshine annually, with clear, sunny days in winter.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 2770 hours of sunshine annually, with long, sunny summers.

Other climate information

October, Santa Cruz’s wettest month, receives 49 mm of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 30°C.

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Santa Cruz Precipitation page.