Mammoth Lakes vs Santa Cruz, California: which is better, month by month

Santa Cruz, California beats Mammoth Lakes in 8 of 12 months — its lead peaks in June (83 vs 12) — while Mammoth Lakes wins December to March.

Each place is scored under the lens that suits its type — they are different kinds of destination, so the scores are each place at its own best. Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 estimate from ERA5 climate normals, not a forecast.

Mammoth Lakes

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: February 89/100
Months won: 4 of 12

Santa Cruz, California

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: September 88/100
Months won: 8 of 12

Mammoth Lakes vs Santa Cruz, California — all 12 months

Month	Mammoth Lakes	Santa Cruz, California	Winner	Gap
January	86Acold, rainy, clean air	54Dnice, soaked, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	32
February	89Acold, rainy, clean air	65Cnice, rainy, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	24
March	84Acold, rainy, reliable snow	64Cnice, soaked, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	20
April	57Dcold, a little rain, reliable snow	76Bnice, a little rain, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	19
May	34Fcool, a little rain	79Bnice, dry, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	45
June	12Fnice, dry	83Anice, dry, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	71
July	14Fwarm, dry	85Awarm, dry, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	71
August	16Fwarm, dry, clean air	87Awarm, dry, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	71
September	19Fnice, dry, clean air	88Awarm, dry, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	69
October	26Fcool, dry, clean air	81Anice, a little rain, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	55
November	64Ccold, a little rain, clean air	68Cnice, rainy, clean air	Santa Cruz, California	4
December	82Acold, rainy, clean air	56Dnice, soaked, clean air	Mammoth Lakes	26

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is June (12 vs 83). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.