Does It Snow in Santa Cruz?
Spoiler: Yes, but rarely! Coastal snowfall south of the Bay Area in the Golden State is a (thankfully) rare occurrence. This is one of the main reasons so many travelers flock to the sandy shores of Southern California during the chilly winter months. But you won’t totally escape the winter weather and precipitation in Central California.
While winter storms in Santa Cruz will likely be measured in inches of snow rather than feet of snow, checking the weather forecast before your visit is essential. Let the National Weather Service help you decide between one of our beachfront vacation rentals in Capitola or our higher elevation Aptos stays.
Here’s everything you need to know before you visit Santa Cruz in the wintertime and where you should watch out for snowfall during your visit.
Snow in Santa Cruz
When you think of destinations in Califonia where you can throw a snowball, you’ll likely think of the Sierra Mountains, Lake Tahoe, or anywhere in Northern California. But snowstorms happen here, too.
Traditionally, you could expect snow to accumulate in Santa Cruz County only about 2-3 times every DECADE. Rarely might be too frequent of a descriptor for the phenomenon. But over the years, thanks to changes in the West Coast weather patterns, the rare snowfall has become a little less rare. In fact, snow was last seen in Santa Cruz in February 2023.
This was not a snow-on-the-beach situation. When frozen precipitation does fall in Santa Cruz County, it typically dusts across three different regions: the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mount Hamilton, and the Santa Lucias.
The Santa Lucia Mountain Range is about a 2-hour drive from Santa Cruz proper, so unless you’re planning a road trip down the coast past Monterey, road conditions and closures here are unlikely to affect your vacation.
The twisting mountain roads of Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose, get snow most regularly. Some years, this is a simple dusting; other years, the alpine peak can be topped with up to 14 inches of wet snowfall.
The rolling hillsides known as the Santa Cruz Mountains are the least likely to see accumulation due to the warm winds coming off the nearby Pacific Ocean. But driving conditions here are especially awful when it does see any winter weather.
In the surrounding areas, I always keep an eye on elevation. Areas above 2,000 ft can see snow days semi-regularly in the winter months.
Typical Winter Weather in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz experiences a Mediterranean-like climate. This means winters are usually cool but comfortable, with an increase in average precipitation. You can expect the average daily temperatures to sit in the 50 to 60-degree range, with foggy marine-layer mornings that burn off in the afternoon sun. This is perfect for mid-day strolls and sea-level adventures.
Santa Cruz experiences about 300 sunny days per year, which means that wintertime still experiences a fair amount of sun-soaked days. But in December, January, and February, you can expect about eight days a month to be “rainy” or at least have a little rainfall.
Wintertime is the low season for travel in Santa Cruz County. This means that travelers during these months can experience temperate climates without the crowds.
What to Pack for Your Wintertime Santa Cruz Trip
Since Santa Cruz enjoys such a temperate climate, you can pack very similar items year-round! Here’s a look at some items you might want to bring with you if you plan on visiting the beach town in the cooler winter months.
- Lots of Layers.
- Warm Jacket. For the cool nights on the wharf, watching the sunset.
- Close-Toed Shoes. Trade in those flip-flops.
- Gloves. These are important if you plan on doing any bike exploration in the winter months.
- Rain Jacket. For the one week per month that Santa Cruz expects rainfall.
- Indoor Activities. If you’re traveling with the family, it’s always nice to bring along some games to entertain yourself at the vacation rental.
Check out our full California Packing List.
Things to do in Santa Cruz in the Winter
While you might not be spending your days on the beach or in the chilly Pacific waters, there is still plenty to do in Santa Cruz in the cooler, less crowded months. Here are some of our favorite wintertime activities in Santa Cruz.
1. Walk the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
A year-round delight. On the iconic boardwalk, you’ll find an amusement park and a whole lot of people watching! This is the perfect place to take in the spectacular winter sunsets and watch a movie on the beach.
2. Watch the Pros at Steamer Lane
Surfing in winter. It’s a thing. At least, it is in Santa Cruz. Not even the cold can keep them away. From the high vantage point of Steamer Lane near the lighthouse, you can watch the best of the best battle the waves, even during the winter months. This is also a great spot to look out over the waters and search for sea lions and whales.
3. Enjoy State Parks like Natural Bridges Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach is filled with scenic rocky formations, tide pools brimming with life, and, every winter, thousands of butterflies on their annual migration. This natural phenomenon is not to be missed and can only be seen from October through February.
4. Take the Family to the Wharf
There’s nothing quite like your first time visiting the Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. With glass bottom boat tours (yes, even in the winter), lots of playful otters swimming around, Whale Watching, and plenty of seafood to eat, you can easily spend the whole day enjoying this area just outside of Santa Cruz.
But if you’re trying to stay within the city itself, don’t fret; Santa Cruz has its very own wharf to explore. Here, you can find ocean views, great window shopping, and sea lion watching. The wharf is within easy walking distance of many of our Santa Cruz vacation rentals.
5. Try Some Incredible Seafood Restaurants
Santa Cruz has no shortage of incredible seafood restaurants, from Aldo’s Harbor to the Crow’s Nest. Whether it’s Lobster, Clams, or Crab that you’re craving, be sure to check out our list of must-eat Seafood establishments. If you’re not into seafood, there is still no shortage of local restaurants for every palate or a number of cozy cafes to tuck yourself into.
6. Visit Some Santa Cruz Museums
Come check out the Seymore Marine Discovery Center, Museum of Art + History, Museum of Natural History, and many more Santa Cruz museums. This is the perfect educational way to spend a rainy winter day in Santa Cruz.
7. Try Out a Yoga Class
Santa Cruz is known for its penchant for outdoor activities. While Surfing, hiking, and biking may not be ideal this time of year (depending on the weather), you can always join one of the numerous yoga classes offered within the city.
8. Celebrate the Holidays
Get in the holiday spirit and spend your Christmas or New Year’s Eve in Santa Cruz. The boardwalk becomes a winter wonderland, Christmas lights on full display all over the city, and there are tons of unique activities that your family will love to make into an annual tradition. Like the scenic Redwood Forest Steam Train!
Plan Your Santa Cruz Winter Escape Today!
Skip the snow this year! Winter is our favorite time of year in Central California. Cool temps and unspoiled ocean views can be found from North Bay to South Bay. Santa Cruz is likely to be the next trending winter destination, with an abundance of activities, enjoyable year-round, and stunning vacation homes sitting right on the water.