Santa Barbara vs South Lake Tahoe: which is better, month by month

Santa Barbara beats South Lake Tahoe in 3 of 12 months — its lead peaks in December (67 vs 62) — while South Lake Tahoe wins May to June; they are within 3 points in the other 7 months.

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.

Santa Barbara

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: August 93/100
Months won: 3 of 12

South Lake Tahoe

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: September 95/100
Months won: 2 of 12

Santa Barbara vs South Lake Tahoe — all 12 months

Month	Santa Barbara	South Lake Tahoe	Winner	Gap
January	65Cnice, rainy, clean air	64Ccold, rainy, clean air	Tie	1
February	70Bnice, rainy, clean air	66Ccold, rainy, clean air	Santa Barbara	4
March	73Bnice, rainy, clean air	71Bcold, rainy, clean air	Tie	2
April	81Anice, dry, clean air	82Acool, a little rain, reliable snow	Tie	1
May	84Anice, dry, clean air	91Snice, a little rain, reliable snow	South Lake Tahoe	7
June	87Awarm, dry, clean air	93Snice, dry	South Lake Tahoe	6
July	89Awarm, dry, clean air	86Awarm, dry	Tie	3
August	93Swarm, dry, clean air	89Awarm, dry, clean air	Santa Barbara	4
September	92Swarm, dry, clean air	95Snice, dry, clean air	Tie	3
October	88Awarm, dry, clean air	85Acool, a little rain, clean air	Tie	3
November	77Bnice, a little rain, clean air	74Bcold, a little rain, clean air	Tie	3
December	67Cnice, rainy, clean air	62Ccold, rainy, clean air	Santa Barbara	5

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is May (84 vs 91). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.