SeasonMapSanta Cruz, California (Santa Cruz) weather in July
United States
July in Santa Cruz, California: warm, dry, with clean air — an excellent time to visit.
#3 of 12 months in Santa Cruz, California · #494 of 1383 destinations to visit in July · comfort 85/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Santa Cruz, California in July
Other months in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz's forum calls September one of the warmest and most reliable months — low-70s°F by day, chillier mornings and evenings in the 50s, with the coastal fog that plagues early summer mostly staying offshore. Regulars are consistent that it never gets tropical or humid here, just comfortably warm, making it a favorite pick over the foggier months of June and July.
Add your own note from Santa Cruz, California's card on the map.
Santa Cruz, California climate normals — July
| Daytime high | 24°C / 75°F | 🌤 warm |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 10°C / 51°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 24°C / 75°F | |
| Sea temperature | 14°C / 58°F | 🥶 cold sea |
| Rainfall | 0 mm / 0 in | ☀️ dry |
| Rainy days | 0 days | |
| Humidity | 79% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 12°C / 54°F | |
| Sunshine | 12.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 14.4 h | |
| Wind | 20 km/h / 12 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Santa Cruz, California in July
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsBoardwalk summer season, Wharf to Wharf race, Summer break in United States(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Santa Cruz, California's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherSanta Cruz, California's weather peaks July–September.
July includes Wharf to Wharf race.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Santa Cruz, California in July
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Summer fog
15 May – 31 Aug · usuallyFog seasonThe marine layer comes in overnight and usually clears by late morning, which is why the beach fills after noon rather than at breakfast. Over the hill in the valley it is twelve degrees warmer. Source ↗
- Season
Boardwalk summer season
23 May – 7 Sep · usuallySummer season opensCrowdedThe old wooden coaster and the rest of the seafront run daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with free bands on the beach on summer Friday evenings. Parking is the whole difficulty. Source ↗
- Festival
Wharf to Wharf race
23–28 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedClosuresSix miles of coast road to Capitola on the fourth Sunday in July, with bands the length of the course and a field that sells out in minutes. The coast highway shuts for the morning. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Santa Cruz, California — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
- Big Sur81 kmBlue and humpback whales offshore1 Jul – 15 Oct · usuallyWhale seasonmontereybaywhalewatch.com
- Sacramento185 kmCalifornia State Fair10–27 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalcalexpostatefair.com
- Yosemite National Park239 kmTioga and Glacier Point roads open10 May – 10 Nov · usuallyTrail seasonnps.gov
Where is Santa Cruz, California?
Santa Cruz, California in July — FAQ
- Is July a good time to visit Santa Cruz, California?
- July in Santa Cruz, California: warm, dry, with clean air — an excellent time to visit. It ranks #3 of 12 months for Santa Cruz, California on SeasonMap's comfort score (85/100).
- What is the weather like in Santa Cruz, California in July?
- In July, Santa Cruz, California averages a daily high of 23.8°C and a low of 10.4°C, with about 0.3 mm of rain over roughly 0.3 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Santa Cruz, California in July?
- Santa Cruz, California has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in July.
Other months in Santa Cruz, California
Compare Santa Cruz, California in July
Warmer or cooler than Santa Cruz, California in July
Similar destinations in North America — July
Within 300 km: Big Sur's Blue and humpback whales offshore around 1 Jul – 15 Oct, and Sacramento's California State Fair around 10–27 Jul.