Does it Snow in Santa Cruz, California? What to Know (2024)
Santa Cruz is a coastal town located in the Northern part of Central California, about 1.5 hours from San Francisco by car. And while the city is known for its multitude of beautiful beaches and abundance of sunny days, a question commonly asked by visitors to the beach town is does it snow in Santa Cruz? In this post, I’ll detail everything there is to know weather-wise, what you can expect, and some fun activities you can enjoy if you visit Santa Cruz during the wintertime!
Does It Snow in Santa Cruz California?
If you’re headed to Santa Cruz, California this winter season, you may be wondering if it snows in the area. The answer is both yes and no. Santa Cruz does get chilly winter weather, but it doesn’t usually involve snow. The majority of the time, temperatures rarely dip below freezing, so there’s seldom snowfall. This is because of the beach town’s proximity to the ocean, which helps to moderate temperates throughout the year.
Only when temperatures do drop below freezing and the conditions are just right, does the city sometimes see a bit of slush on the ground. Nothing significant, but enough to surprise residents in the area.
Has Santa Cruz Ever Had Snow?
Now, while it’s true that snowfall is rare in this coastal city, there have been occasions when the true white stuff briefly graces Santa Cruz. The most significant snow day occurred on February 5, 1976. On this day, a couple of inches of snow was even seen piling up along the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. However, since then, the city hasn’t experienced a decent amount of snow. Again, there might be snow falling or even severe hail storms once in a blue moon, but the snow rarely sticks and accumulates.
Does it Snow in the Santa Cruz Mountains?
This is where the yes part of the answer comes in. Occasionally there is a small amount of snow around Summit Road, which is in Santa Cruz Mountains, but the snow usually disappears within a day or two, if not within hours.
Similarly, sometimes it snows around the top of Loma Prieta, which is approximately 3,300 feet above sea level. But like the area surrounding Summit Road, the snow normally melts within a couple of days. For instance, about an inch of snow was observed in the Santa Cruz mountains in March 2021.
Most recently, though, there have been some major storms passing through California. As such, on February 23, 2023, the Santa Cruz mountains experienced about 8 inches of snow! Even small towns in sunny Southern California, such as Redlands, saw snow during this time. So, it’s possible that areas at lower altitudes could see snow every once in a while if the perfect conditions are met.
Where to Find Snow Near Santa Cruz
As mentioned earlier, areas in the Santa Cruz Mountains, such as Summit Road and Redwood Estates are known for having occasional dustings of snow on winter days. But if you’re looking for an actual winter wonderland experience, you’ll likely have to drive a couple of hours outside of Santa Cruz. For example, one place you can consistently find snow is Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, which is a family-owned ski resort located in Stanislaus National Forest. It’s a little less than 4 hours from Santa Cruz and makes a lovely weekend trip!
Or, you can drive 4 hours eastwards to Yosemite National Park. A trip to Yosemite in the winter is truly something special – with majestic snowy caped mountains and valleys, it’s a sight to behold! And the park even sets up an ice-skating rink!
Finally, if you’re willing to make a long drive and plan a trip for a few days, then Lake Tahoe makes for an amazing winter destination. Not only can you ski and snowboard, but there are a variety of other winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snow tubing!
Santa Cruz in Winter
What may surprise some people is that although Santa Cruz practically never experiences snowfall, it does receive a significant amount of rain! Throughout December, January, and February, the city experiences an average of 8 rain days per month! And per year, the average rainfall for Santa Cruz is 33 inches.
Is Santa Cruz Warm in the Winter?
During the winter months, temperatures in Santa Cruz stay relatively mild and comfortable. The average high temperatures are in the low 60°F range and the average low temperature hovers around the low 40s. This is still relatively warm compared to other parts of the country during this time of year. Not to mention, the ocean and subsequent marine layer help insulate the coastal town and prevent temperatures from becoming too frigid.
Where to Stay in Santa Cruz
If you’re planning on staying in town for a few days, you’re likely going to need a place to stay since it’ll be super cold for camping. Here are some places that I recommend checking out. 🙂
Low-Cost Stay
- Comfort Inn: Family-friendly 3-star hotel with outdoor pool and parking | ⭐️ 7.9 / 10
- Santa Cruz Hostel: Quaint hostel near Santa Cruz Boardwalk with dorm rooms | ⭐️ 8.9 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hilton Santa Cruz: Lovely 3-star hotel near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park | ⭐️ 8.2 / 10
- Hampton Inn Santa Cruz: Nice hotel with free breakfast, near Boardwalk | ⭐️ 8.2 / 10
Fancy Stay
- Hyatt Place Santa Cruz: Spacious, 3-star hotel with free continental breakfast | ⭐️ 8.5 / 10
- Pacific Blue Inn: Quaint, pet-friendly guesthouse near the Boardwalk | ⭐️ 9 / 10
Alternatively, you can see other housing options by utilizing the interactive map below to scroll around!
5 Things to Do in Santa Cruz in the Winter
When wintertime rolls around, it can be all too tempting to stay indoors and snuggle by a fireplace. But if you’re in the city for a short amount of time, you shouldn’t let the winter blues stop you from having fun and exploring the city! Almost always, you can find something fun to do during your stay in Santa Cruz. Here are just a few of my favorite activities to do around the city.
1. Santa Cruz Beach Board Walk
One place that’s popular and bustling with life even in the wintertime is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Here, you’ll discover that the seaside amusement park features an assortment of games, rides, food stands, and entertainment all year round. One of the rides, the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, has been open since 1924! Thus, if you’re looking for a place to expend lots of energy or entertain your kids, this is one of the best spots. Plus, there’s nothing quite like a brisk walk along the boardwalk and beach on a sunny winter day!
2. Santa Cruz Wharf
The Santa Cruz Wharf is also open year-round and offers plenty of fun activities, from shopping to whale-watching cruises. Plus, you can get some delicious seafood from some of the local eateries located at the wharf. And don’t forget to say hello to the barking harbor seals and sea lions that are often perched along the docks!
3. Natural Bridges State Beach
If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Santa Cruz, then consider taking a trip to Natural Bridges State Beach. This serene beach is great for enjoying peaceful walks on the sand and watching sunsets over the waves. During winter months, it’s also an ideal spot for spotting migrating whales that are heading south. You may also spot migrating birds and seals playing nearby.
4. Surfing
Although it might be too cold for most to go surfing during winter months, brave and adventurous surfers can enjoy incredible waves throughout the winter season in Santa Cruz. Some of the best beaches for surfing include Cowell Beach, Steamer Lane, and Pleasure Point Park. Just make sure you always gear up with a thick wetsuit, booties, gloves, and a hood to take on the cold waters.
And if you’ve never surfed before, it’s never too late to take some lessons! Here is a highly-rated 2.5-hour surf class that I recommend checking out if you’ve been wanting to learn.
✅ 🏄♀️ Check Availability for this awesome 2.5 beginner surf class in Santa Cruz
5. Hiking & Biking
Finally, if you want to get some exercise in and don’t mind a chilly winter’s day outdoors, then hiking or biking in Santa Cruz is an amazing option. There are tons of trails throughout the area that offer beautiful views of the city and coastal bluffs. A few great places to go hiking or biking along the winding trails include Moore Creek Preserve, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and Wilder Ranch State Park.
Tips for Visiting Santa Cruz
- Best Time to Visit Santa Cruz: The summer months are when Santa Cruz has its most favorable weather. Average high temperatures are around 80°F in July, and with the warm weather, come a great number of tourists! However, for a more relaxed, crowd-free visit, then I recommend going in September or October when most of the tourists have gone home. Plus, these months still offer relatively warm weather and a better chance of avoiding the marine layer that often blankets the city in July and August.
- Avoid the Santa Cruz Mountains: If you visit Santa Cruz when there’s snow in the mountains, I urge you to think twice about traveling to Summit Road. The roads become extremely congested with people wanting to play in the snow and many of the drivers are inexperienced in driving in snowy/slush conditions. As such, this creates a prime opportunity for accidents to occur. 😬
- Dress in Layers: While the temperatures in Santa Cruz generally stay pretty mild during winter months, you should still dress in layers. This will help keep you warm and comfortable while walking around town or enjoying any outdoor activities. Also, don’t forget a rain jacket and travel-friendly umbrella to avoid ending up like a wet mop if you’re visiting during late fall to early spring as rain is common!
- Lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight: Unfortunately, there is an increasing amount of small crimes in Santa Cruz. To minimize the chances of your car being broken into and anything being stolen, lock all car doors when parking in public areas and store any valuable items out of sight.
Wrap-Up: Does It Snow in Santa Cruz California?
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas or making some snow angels, Santa Cruz is likely not the place for you. The city rarely experiences snowfall, except when the stars align and the conditions are perfect… However, this doesn’t mean that Santa Cruz isn’t worth a visit. The city is full of so many exciting activities and attractions to explore all year round. Whether it’s watching whales migrate, taking part in the famous surf culture, or immersing yourself in the great outdoors, Santa Cruz is still a fantastic choice for a little getaway!
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- 🏜️ Las Vegas: Headed to Las Vegas and looking for an easy excursion, consider doing a day trip to Red Rock Canyon. Visitors can explore this rugged desert landscape by foot, bike, car, or even on horseback!
- 🌴 Palm Springs: Traveling through Southern California and want to see hundreds of desert animals and festive lights, check out the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs! This desert area is also great for any tennis fans who want to attend the famous Indian Wells Tennis Tournament!
