Are you thinking about visiting Santa Cruz, California? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Santa Cruz worth visiting?
This town is a good place to visit for one to two days. Located on the central coastline in California, Santa Cruz is a quintessential beach town. There's a classic boardwalk with traditional rides, a charming downtown, and plenty of shops and cafes. The beaches are beautiful and the rugged coastline is fun to explore. We first visited in 2009 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its traditional beach town atmosphere and laid back vibe.
Santa Cruz, California
Reasons to Visit Santa Cruz
Nightlife
You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.
Beaches
The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.
Museums
Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.
Food
Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.
Hiking
There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.
Shopping
Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.
Is Santa Cruz worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Santa Cruz is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the hiking, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can enjoy an evening out.
Summer Weather in Santa Cruz
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 19°C (67°F) | 1 mm (0.1 in) |
| August | 20°C (67°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| September | 19°C (67°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Is Santa Cruz worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Santa Cruz, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Autumn Weather in Santa Cruz
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| November | 13°C (56°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| December | 10°C (51°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Santa Cruz worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Santa Cruz. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 10°C (51°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Santa Cruz
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 10°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| February | 12°C (54°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Santa Cruz worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Santa Cruz. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (58°F).
During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Santa Cruz
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (58°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| June | 19°C (65°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
Related
What is Santa Cruz most famous for?
Santa Cruz is most famous for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. The town is very popular for its nightlife and beaches. It is also known for its great museums, food, hiking, and shopping. It is often described as coastal, scenic, and laid back.
What is the most famous sight in Santa Cruz?
The most popular sight in Santa Cruz is Santa Cruz Wharf. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Santa Cruz on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Santa Cruz Wharf and other attractions here.
How touristy is Santa Cruz? Is it a popular town to visit?
Santa Cruz is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
- Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories: $20
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
How long should I spend in Santa Cruz?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Santa Cruz is one to two days. Since Santa Cruz has activities such as nightlife and beaches, many visit for up to two days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Santa Cruz?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Santa Cruz?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Santa Cruz?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.