Santa Cruz Main Beach Weather
Beach • San Francisco Bay Area
Main Beach is the busy strip of sand in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It runs from the Municipal Wharf east toward the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. The City of Santa Cruz manages the beach and staffs its lifeguard towers. The admission-free Boardwalk behind it is home to the Giant Dipper roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel. It makes this the most built-up and crowded beach on the north shore of Monterey Bay.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Santa Cruz Main Beach weather today and through the year
It's 54°F at Santa Cruz Main Beach right now (feels like 51°F), with 6 mph wind and a comfort score of 78. Monday's forecast high at Santa Cruz Main Beach is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 60°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 67).
September is the warmest month at Santa Cruz Main Beach, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. January is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.2 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Cruz Main Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 3 PM to 6 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October.
Main Beach faces south across Monterey Bay instead of west into the open Pacific. Ben Lomond Mountain and the coastal terraces west of town take the brunt of the prevailing northwest wind. Lighthouse Point and the wharf break up the northwest swell. The sand here is calmer and more comfortable to sit on than the cliffs along West Cliff Drive a mile or two west.
Forecast updated November 15, 2026 at 4:00 AM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
What to expect at Santa Cruz Main Beach in the next few days
Active National Weather Service alerts
- High Surf Advisory until Tue 4:00 AM
- High Surf Warning until Sun 4:00 AM
Best time to go
The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 60°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 67).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Friday looks best for Santa Cruz Main Beach, with a 60°F high and midday comfort near 81. Thursday looks weakest (49).
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (73%, about 0.07 in.).
Ocean water
66°F at the Monterey harbor (Monterey Bay) NOAA station. NOAA data
Live weather map
Weather around Santa Cruz Main Beach right now
Overcast and 54° at Santa Cruz Main Beach right now.
About the live weather map for Santa Cruz Main Beach
The map centers on Santa Cruz Main Beach and stacks fog, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions. Fog comes from our HRRR-based fog model, and the slider steps through its forecast for the next 12 hours.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby San Francisco Bay Area destinations
Tip: Bay Area temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Santa Cruz Main Beach vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Santa Cruz Main Beach, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Santa Cruz Main Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Westside | 2.6 mi | -6°F | 44% | 15 mph | about 6°F cooler on summer afternoons and more summer morning fog (44% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Capitola | 3.7 mi | +3°F | 36% | 8 mph | calmer summer afternoons (8 vs 12 mph) |
| Scotts Valley | 6.1 mi | +11°F | 46% | 7 mph | about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (7 vs 12 mph) |
| Almaden Quicksilver County Park | 18 mi | +20°F | 7% | 9 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (7% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Almaden Valley | 20.1 mi | +19°F | 7% | 9 mph | about 19°F warmer on summer afternoons and less summer morning fog (7% vs 33% of morning hours) |
| Morgan Hill | 23.2 mi | +20°F | 25% | 8 mph | about 20°F warmer on summer afternoons and calmer summer afternoons (8 vs 12 mph) |
Places with a climate like Santa Cruz Main Beach's
- Pacific Heights (62 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Russian Hill (62 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Watsonville (15 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Santa Cruz Main Beach climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Santa Cruz Main Beach with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Santa Cruz Main Beach departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Santa Cruz Main Beach weather by month
September is the warmest month at Santa Cruz Main Beach, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F. January is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.2 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in August, when fog or low cloud covers 36% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. November has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 19% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Cruz Main Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 3 PM to 6 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61°F | 43°F | 5.8 in | 10 | 12% | 28% | 7 mph | 9.9 h | 43 |
| Feb | 61°F | 44°F | 5.6 in | 10 | 10% | 25% | 9 mph | 10.8 h | 43 |
| Mar | 63°F | 45°F | 4.1 in | 8 | 12% | 29% | 10 mph | 11.9 h | 61 |
| Apr | 65°F | 46°F | 1.9 in | 6 | 18% | 30% | 12 mph | 13.1 h | 66 |
| May | 67°F | 49°F | 0.7 in | 3 | 21% | 36% | 13 mph | 14.2 h | 65 |
| Jun | 70°F | 52°F | 0.2 in | 2 | 27% | 30% | 13 mph | 14.7 h | 74 |
| Jul | 70°F | 54°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 33% | 12 mph | 14.4 h | 76 |
| Aug | 71°F | 55°F | 0.0 in | 1 | 36% | 31% | 12 mph | 13.5 h | 81 |
| Sep | 72°F | 53°F | 0.1 in | 1 | 31% | 27% | 11 mph | 12.3 h | 85 |
| Oct | 70°F | 50°F | 1.2 in | 5 | 18% | 20% | 10 mph | 11.1 h | 79 |
| Nov | 65°F | 45°F | 2.9 in | 7 | 11% | 19% | 8 mph | 10.1 h | 68 |
| Dec | 60°F | 42°F | 5.5 in | 10 | 13% | 29% | 7 mph | 9.6 h | 42 |
Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.
What makes Santa Cruz Main Beach's weather different
Among the 17 San Francisco Bay Area beaches we track, Santa Cruz Main Beach has the 2nd-warmest summer afternoons and the least foggy summer mornings. It also has the 3rd-sunniest summer middays.
- #2of 17
warmest summer afternoonsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
- #1of 17
least foggy summer morningsamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
- #3of 17
sunniest summer middaysamong San Francisco Bay Area beaches
When the fog burns off
noonwhen August fog usually thins (42% foggy at 7 AM)
Fog or low cloud covers Santa Cruz Main Beach in 42% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. February mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, February–November
From February through November, wind at Santa Cruz Main Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
Microclimate
+11°FScotts Valley, 6.1 mi away, on summer afternoons
Scotts Valley, 6.1 miles away, runs about 11°F warmer than Santa Cruz Main Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 46% of morning hours compared with 33%.
Daylight
9.6–14.7 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Santa Cruz Main Beach range from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:29 PM, and in mid-December around 4:56 PM.
Seasons at Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Warm seasonJul 1 – Oct 24 · highs 70°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.8 months, from Jul 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
- Cool seasonDec 1 – Feb 28 · highs 62°F or lower
The cool season runs from Dec 1 to Feb 28, when the average high is 62°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 42°F.
- Rainy seasonNov 3 – Apr 12 · 87% of the year's rain
The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% of the year's rain.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of rain by Oct 26 and half of its annual total by Jan 24.
Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)
This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Santa Cruz Main Beach averaged 4 days a year at 90°F or hotter and no freezing nights. It averaged 18 days a year with at least half an inch of rain and 2 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 90 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Sep 9, 2026 (102°F) and the coldest night was Jan 27, 2025 (33°F). The wettest day was Nov 14, 2025 (2.52 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 49 mph on Mar 12, 2025.
- 4days at 90°F or hotter
- 0nights at or below freezing
- 18days with ½ in. of rain or more
- 2afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 90mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day102°FSep 9, 2026
- Coldest night33°FJan 27, 2025
- Wettest day2.52 inNov 14, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust49 mphMar 12, 2025
What shapes Santa Cruz Main Beach's weather
Monterey Bay makes its own marine layer in summer, a cool, moist layer of air that forms fog and low cloud. Cool water off the north shore chills the air above it. Fog often sits over the Boardwalk in the morning before pulling back toward the water around midday. Main Beach opens to the south and sits in the bay's shelter, so it tends to clear sooner than Davenport and the open coast north of town.
The San Lorenzo River reaches the bay at the east end of the beach. In winter, storm runoff from the Santa Cruz Mountains pours out here and clouds the water. The south swells that come with passing storms also reach this south-facing beach more directly than the northwest swells that dominate the rest of the year.
Tips for visiting Santa Cruz Main Beach
Swim near a staffed lifeguard tower
City lifeguards cover Main Beach from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily in summer and on weekends in spring and fall. Hours can change with the weather.
Leave the dog at home
Dogs and other pets are prohibited on city beaches, including Main Beach. Alcohol, smoking, and campfires aren't allowed either.
Wear a wetsuit for long swims
The city's ocean-safety guidance recommends a wetsuit to prevent hypothermia, and warns that swell, currents, and wind change fast.
Call for buoy and weather reports
The Santa Cruz City Lifeguards line, 831-420-5716, has 24-hour weather and offshore buoy reports under option 2.
Check ride hours outside summer
The Boardwalk is free to walk. Rides run daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend and on a shorter schedule the rest of the year.
Plan around beach hours
Main Beach is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Santa Cruz Main Beach through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Lifeguards are on duty on weekends only. Spring afternoons are the windiest of the year, but the beach's sheltered, south-facing position keeps it calmer than the open coast.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer brings daily lifeguards, the Boardwalk ride season, and the biggest crowds. Morning fog over the bay is common, and the sand fills up as it pulls back around midday.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall often brings the warmest and clearest beach weather of the year, with smaller crowds. Humpback whales feed in the bay through October, and blue whales offshore peak in August and September.
- Winter (December–February)
- Storm runoff from the San Lorenzo River muddies the east end of the beach. South swells from passing storms reach this shore more directly than most of the bay.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Swimming: Swimming is best on warm late-summer afternoons, when lifeguards are on duty daily. The water calls for a wetsuit on longer swims.
- Beach volleyball: Main Beach has 18 city courts, first come, first served or by reservation. Light-wind afternoons after the fog clears are the best time to play.
- Paddleboarding and kayaking: Non-motorized craft launch in front of the Ideal Bar & Grill deck when conditions and lifeguards allow. Mornings, before the afternoon sea breeze builds, are usually calmest.
- Boardwalk rides: Summer fog doesn't stop the rides, but clear afternoons give the best views from the Giant Dipper. Outside the summer ride season, check the schedule first.
Official sources and current conditions
- City of Santa Cruz: City beaches, rules, and lifeguards
- City of Santa Cruz: Ocean safety
- City of Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Wharf
- NOAA tide predictions: Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay
- NOAA water temperature: Monterey harbor
Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.
Historical Climate Data
Long-term weather patterns and climate data
Data sources: Recent temperatures come from NOAA URMA and recent precipitation from NOAA Stage IV. Fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Climate Overview
Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 82 | 63.2° / 44.1° | 6.9h | 3d | 3.5" | 20 |
| December 2024 | 75 | 61.7° / 44.9° | 5.5h | 7d | 4.99" | 14 |
| January 2025 | 84 | 60.9° / 39.9° | 6.7h | 2d | 0.2" | 20 |
| February 2025 | 76 | 61.9° / 43.6° | 6.8h | 4d | 8.35" | 17 |
| March 2025 | 79 | 61.4° / 44.3° | 7.8h | 4d | 3.25" | 16 |
| April 2025 | 85 | 63.3° / 47.2° | 9.7h | 9d | 0.52" | 23 |
| May 2025 | 91 | 70.5° / 50° | 11.5h | 5d | 0.11" | 30 |
| June 2025 | 88 | 68.8° / 52.1° | 11.5h | 6d | 0" | 27 |
| July 2025 | 88 | 68.4° / 55.6° | 10.5h | 8d | 0" | 25 |
| August 2025 | 88 | 75.5° / 56.7° | 10.3h | 10d | 0" | 28 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 74.7° / 58.6° | 9h | 7d | 0.15" | 25 |
| October 2025 | 86 | 69.8° / 52° | 8.1h | 6d | 1.6" | 26 |
| November 2025 | 80 | 64.5° / 48.3° | 6.5h | 5d | 5.32" | 17 |
| December 2025 | 77 | 62.1° / 45.7° | 5.6h | 3d | 3.47" | 16 |
| January 2026 | 82 | 64.3° / 45.2° | 6.7h | 3d | 5.66" | 24 |
| February 2026 | 79 | 64.3° / 46.5° | 7.1h | 2d | 5.86" | 18 |
| March 2026 | 93 | 74.5° / 49.8° | 9.7h | 2d | 0.02" | 29 |
| April 2026 | 84 | 67.2° / 49.2° | 9.1h | 5d | 3.96" | 22 |
| May 2026 | 90 | 69.2° / 52° | 10.8h | 5d | 0.73" | 26 |
| June 2026 | 88 | 69.6° / 55° | 10.5h | 9d | 0" | 25 |
| July 2026 | 89 | 74.5° / 56.5° | 11h | 8d | 0" | 28 |
| August 2026 | 86 | 72.8° / 57.5° | 9.5h | 13d | 0.01" | 25 |
| September 2026 | 90 | 75.1° / 55.2° | 9.6h | 6d | 0.05" | 28 |
| October 2026 | 89 | 74.5° / 52.7° | 8.2h | 2d | 0.34" | 27 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Santa Cruz Main Beach climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Santa Cruz Main Beach, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Santa Cruz Main Beach. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Hourly Temperature, Fog, Wind, Cloud Cover, and Solar Radiation Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2014-09-30 to 2026-04-30
- Temperature: At Santa Cruz Main Beach, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in September (69°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (47°F).
- Fog: Fog or low cloud covers Santa Cruz Main Beach in 42% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. February mornings are the least foggy (10%).
- Wind: From February through November, wind at Santa Cruz Main Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
- Cloud Cover: November middays are the clearest at Santa Cruz Main Beach (19% average cloud cover), and May middays are the cloudiest (36%).
- Solar Radiation: The strongest typical sun at Santa Cruz Main Beach comes at 2 PM in July, averaging 865 W/m².
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Santa Cruz Main Beach
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Santa Cruz Main Beach changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows when fog or low cloud is most likely at Santa Cruz Main Beach. Darker cells mark the months and hours when fog has been most common. They help separate overnight or morning fog from cloud that tends to linger into the afternoon.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Santa Cruz Main Beach through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Santa Cruz Main Beach for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
This heatmap shows the average solar radiation reaching Santa Cruz Main Beach by month and hour. Brighter cells indicate the strongest typical sun, while muted cells can reflect nighttime, shorter winter days, cloud cover, smoke, or terrain shading.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Santa Cruz Main Beach
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Santa Cruz Main Beach averaged a high of 74°F, 4°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 70°F. It brought 0.34 in. of rain, compared with a normal of 1.21 in.
- Rain year: The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 26.7 in. of rain to Santa Cruz Main Beach, 95% of the 28.2 in. normal.
Location Details
Santa Cruz Main Beach weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Santa Cruz Main Beach
What is the weather like at Santa Cruz Main Beach today?
It's 54°F at Santa Cruz Main Beach right now, with a comfort score of 78 (great). Monday's forecast high at Santa Cruz Main Beach is 57°F, 8°F below the mid November normal of 65°F. The best window today is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 60°F with a 11 mph wind (comfort 67).
What is the best month to visit Santa Cruz Main Beach?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and rain odds, the most comfortable months at Santa Cruz Main Beach are September, August, and October. The best hours are usually 3 PM to 6 PM in September, 3 PM to 6 PM in August, and 1 PM to 4 PM in October. The warm season lasts about 3.8 months, from Jul 1 to Oct 24, when the average high is 70°F or warmer. Highs peak around Sep 8 at about 72°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
September is the warmest month at Santa Cruz Main Beach, with an average high of 72°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 42°F.
When does the fog burn off at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
Fog or low cloud covers Santa Cruz Main Beach in 42% of 7 AM hours in August, the foggiest month. It usually thins to a third of that by noon. February mornings are the least foggy (10%).
When is it windiest at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
From February through November, wind at Santa Cruz Main Beach typically builds after noon. In May it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 39% of those hours windy, while mornings average 5 mph.
How cold is the ocean at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
The nearest NOAA water-temperature station, Monterey harbor (Monterey Bay), last read 66°F.
How much rain does Santa Cruz Main Beach get?
January is the wettest month (5.8 in.), out of about 28.2 in. a year. The rainy season runs from Nov 3 to Apr 12, when a day has at least a 20% chance of measurable rain. That stretch brings 87% of the year's rain. The 2025-26 rain year (Oct. 1 to Sep. 30) brought 26.7 in. of rain to Santa Cruz Main Beach, 95% of the 28.2 in. normal.
How does Santa Cruz Main Beach weather compare with Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley, 6.1 miles away, runs about 11°F warmer than Santa Cruz Main Beach on summer afternoons. It also has more summer morning fog, 46% of morning hours compared with 33%.
Can I bring my dog to Main Beach?
No. The City of Santa Cruz prohibits dogs and other pets on its beaches, including Main Beach and Cowell Beach. The city maintains separate off-leash dog areas in its parks.
What kind of place is Santa Cruz Main Beach?
Main Beach is the busy strip of sand in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It runs from the Municipal Wharf east toward the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. The City of Santa Cruz manages the beach and staffs its lifeguard towers. The admission-free Boardwalk behind it is home to the Giant Dipper roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel. It makes this the most built-up and crowded beach on the north shore of Monterey Bay.
What is Santa Cruz Main Beach weather like in November?
November at Santa Cruz Main Beach averages a high of 65°F and a low of 45°F, with 2.9 in. of rain over about 7 rainy days. About 11% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 8 mph.
More about Santa Cruz Main Beach weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
- King Tides 2026-27 in the Bay Area: Dates, Times and Flood Spots
- Bay Area Beach Day Trips: Best Weather Months by Location
- Monarchs in Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz: When to See Them
- Sneaker Waves: Why They Kill on Northern California Beaches
- Can a Tsunami Hit San Francisco? What History and Maps Show
- San Francisco Bay Water Temperature: Today & Monthly
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from September 2014 to April 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA URMA and HRRR analyses, plus NOAA Stage IV precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service. Tides and ocean temperature: NOAA CO-OPS, where shown.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- City of Santa Cruz, City Beaches (accessed 2026-10-27)
- City of Santa Cruz, Ocean Safety (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Visit Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk listing (accessed 2026-10-27)
- Visit Santa Cruz County, Best beaches for whale watching (accessed 2026-10-27)
Rendered 2026-11-15T12:04:23.627Z.