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

South Lake Tahoe beats Santa Cruz, California in 9 of 12 months — its lead peaks in May (91 vs 79) — and they are within 3 points in February, July and August.

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 Cruz, California

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: September 88/100
Months won: 0 of 12

South Lake Tahoe

🇺🇸 United States · mild climate

Best month: September 95/100
Months won: 9 of 12

Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe — all 12 months

Month	Santa Cruz, California	South Lake Tahoe	Winner	Gap
January	54Dnice, soaked, clean air	64Ccold, rainy, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	10
February	65Cnice, rainy, clean air	66Ccold, rainy, clean air	Tie	1
March	64Cnice, soaked, clean air	71Bcold, rainy, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	7
April	76Bnice, a little rain, clean air	82Acool, a little rain, reliable snow	South Lake Tahoe	6
May	79Bnice, dry, clean air	91Snice, a little rain, reliable snow	South Lake Tahoe	12
June	83Anice, dry, clean air	93Snice, dry	South Lake Tahoe	10
July	85Awarm, dry, clean air	86Awarm, dry	Tie	1
August	87Awarm, dry, clean air	89Awarm, dry, clean air	Tie	2
September	88Awarm, dry, clean air	95Snice, dry, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	7
October	81Anice, a little rain, clean air	85Acool, a little rain, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	4
November	68Cnice, rainy, clean air	74Bcold, a little rain, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	6
December	56Dnice, soaked, clean air	62Ccold, rainy, clean air	South Lake Tahoe	6

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is May (79 vs 91). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.