Santa Cruz Water Temperature

One of the world’s premier surfing locations, Santa Cruz in California has much to appeal to all ages.  The city is a true paradise for sports fans, and lies just south of San Jose.  It is easy to reach from all over the US and other areas of the world.


An area of intense natural beauty, the coastline near Santa Cruz is in the heart of California’s redwood country, and Natural Bridges State Beach is an excellent vantage point for whale spotting, bird watching or otter watching.

Santa Cruz is a city close to pacific ocean. September is the month with the warmest water temperature at 57.9°F / 14.4°C. The coolest month is April with an avg. water temperature of 52.5°F / 11.4°C. January is the sunniest at 0in / 0mm and May the wettest month with 0in / 1mm. The average air temperature is around 61.5°F / 16.4°C, September is the hottest month in a year. February is the coolest with 51.1°F / 10.6°C average air temperature. temperate climate with cold and dry summer would be the climate here. June, July, August, September would be the best time to visit.

Santa Cruz Summary

Description Value
Current water temperature /
Warmest Month Water Temperature: September with 57.9°F / 14.4°C
Coldest Month Water Temperature: April with 52.5°F / 11.4°C
Warmest Month Air Temperature: September with 61.5°F / 16.4°C
Coldest Month Air Temperature: February with 51.1°F / 10.6°C
Wettest Month: May with 0in / 1mm
Driest Month: January with 0in / 0mm
Highest Humidity August with 78.7%
Lowest Humidity October with 73.5%
Best Time to Visit: June, July, August, September
Climate Classification temperate climate with cold and dry summer

Santa Cruz water temperature by month

pacific ocean water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°F)

ø. Water

Temperature (°F)

Min. Water

Temperature (°F)

January

54.1 54 53.8

February

54.1 53.8 53.2

March

54 53.6 53.1

April

53.1 52.5 52.3

May

53.2 52.7 52.3

June

55.2 53.8 52.7

July

57.2 55.8 54.5

August

58.1 57.6 56.8

September

58.3 57.7 57.4

October

57.7 57 56.5

November

56.7 56.1 55.2

December

55.2 54.9 54.1

pacific ocean water temperature by month

Max. Water

Temperature (°C)

ø. Water

Temperature (°C)

Min. Water

Temperature (°C)

January

12.3 12.2 12.1

February

12.3 12.1 11.8

March

12.2 12 11.7

April

11.7 11.4 11.3

May

11.8 11.5 11.3

June

12.9 12.1 11.5

July

14 13.2 12.5

August

14.5 14.2 13.8

September

14.6 14.3 14.1

October

14.3 13.9 13.6

November

13.7 13.4 12.9

December

12.9 12.7 12.3

September is the month with the highest water temperature at 57.9°F / 14.4°C. The month with the lowest is April with an average water temperature of 52.5°F / 11.4°C.

Water temperatures at Santa Cruz range from approximately 52F or 11 C in January, rising slowly through 54F or 12.2C in March and April to 56F or 13.3C in June and highs of 58F or 14.4C in July and August.  The water is always cool, and although it is fine for swimming closer to the shore on warm, summer days,  surfers who find a surf vest and board shorts adequate in July, might require a lightweight wetsuit in October and a heavier wetsuit and booties later in the year or on chillier spring days.

Best time to visit Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz has a mild, Mediterranean type climate that is characterised by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.  The resorts proximity to Monterey Bay makes overcast and fog possible in late evening and early morning during the summer months.  Temperatures tend to range from 40.8F or 4.9C to 60.6F or 15.9C in January, and 53.9F or 12.2C to 74.3F or 23.5C in August.

Rainfall is on average about 6 inches per day in January and February, dropping to 2 inches in April and 0.4 inches in August.  The dry summer gives way to wetter autumn days with approximately 1.5 inches in October and 3.5 of rain in November.  Take light, cotton clothing and sunscreen for summer breaks, when surfing and water sports are the most popular pastimes and warmer, waterproof clothing for winter trips.


Santa Cruz weather by month / climate table

Max.

Temperature

°F

ø.

Temperature

°F

Min.

Temperature

(°F)

Precip.

(in)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

58.3 51.1 45.7 0 0 77.8%

February

58.1 51.1 45.9 0 0 77.8%

March

59.4 52.2 46 0 1 78.1%

April

60.3 52.9 47.5 0 0 76.6%

May

62.6 55.4 49.8 0 0 76.8%

June

66.7 58.1 51.6 0 0 76.7%

July

67.5 60.1 54.5 0 0 78.7%

August

69.3 61.2 55.8 0 0 78.7%

September

69.6 61.5 56.3 0 0 75.1%

October

67.6 59.4 52.7 0 0 73.5%

November

63.9 55 48.4 0 0 76%

December

58.1 51.3 45.9 0 0 76.8%

Max.

Temperature

°C

ø.

Temperature

°C

Min.

Temperature

(°C)

Precip.

(mm)

Rainy Days

(d)

Rel. Humidity

(%)

January

14.6 10.6 7.6 0 0 77.8%

February

14.5 10.6 7.7 0 0 77.8%

March

15.2 11.2 7.8 0 1 78.1%

April

15.7 11.6 8.6 0 0 76.6%

May

17 13 9.9 1 0 76.8%

June

19.3 14.5 10.9 0 0 76.7%

July

19.7 15.6 12.5 0 0 78.7%

August

20.7 16.2 13.2 0.3 0 78.7%

September

20.9 16.4 13.5 0 0 75.1%

October

19.8 15.2 11.5 0 0 73.5%

November

17.7 12.8 9.1 0 0 76%

December

14.5 10.7 7.7 0 0 76.8%
The hottest avg. temperature is around 61.5°F / 16.4°C, September is the month with the highest temperature. February is the coolest with 51.1°F / 10.6°C average temperature. January is the month with the lowest precipitation of 0in / 0mm and May with the maximum precipitation in a year with 0in / 1mm.

You should see this when you visiting Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is known to surfers all over the world for its incredible surf points and long tradition of surfing.  The town is home to O’Neill Wetsuits and Santa Cruz Surfboards, and a friendly surfing crowd visit right through the year.  Beginner’s will find Cowell’s and Capitola Beach excellent for getting started, while only professionals and experts should attempt Steamer Lane, the most famous and most difficult surf spot in Santa Cruz.

Fans of the famous film ‘The Lost Boys’ will recognise several locations, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Wharf.  The Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California, and boasts an authentic Looff carousel from 1911, while its iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster dates from 1924.

Activities & POI in Santa Cruz

Type of Activity List
Beach Three Mile Beach, Potbelly Beach, Private's Nude Beach, Cable Car Beach, Private's Beach, Capitola Beach, 2222 Beach, Fern Grotto Beach, Sand Plant Beach, Strawberry Beach, Four Mile Beach, Swift Beach, Sunny Cove Beach, Younger Beach, De Anza Beach, Wilder Beach, Hooper Beach, Cowell Beach, Lighthouse Field State Beach, Its Beach, Mitchell Cove Beach, Natural Bridges State Beach, Twin Lakes Beach, Black's Beach/Lincoln Beach, Harbor Beach, Santa Cruz Main Beach, 38th Avenue Coastal Access, Moran Lake Beach, Santa Maria's Beach, Esplanade Park Beach, Seabright Beach
Marina for Sailing, Boat adventures, fishing Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor
Attraction Wilder Ranch, Clock Tower, Monarch Eucalyptus Grove, Stagnaro Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises, Williams-Reynolds House, Sea Lion Watching, Steamer Lane Surfing, Train Engine, Ropes Course, SS Palo Alto, Capitola Wharf, Looff Carousel, Giant Dipper, Undertow, Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, Mystery Spot, Blue Whale Skeleton, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, Roaring Camp Railroads, Grey Whale Skeleton
Golf Course DeLaveaga Disc Golf, DeLaveaga Golf Course, Valley Gardens Golf Course, Pasatiempo Golf Course
Caravan Site Seacliff Center RV

Picture Copyright Flickr CC 2.0: donjd2

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