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Posted April 2006
Quick Guide: February to May in
Santa Cruz
Spring is the best time to visit Santa Cruz, as warm winds begin
to warm things up (though temperatures in this rather balmy Northern
California coastal region rarely go below the 50s) and the hills
blossom with wildflowers. The big tourist crush won't hit until
mid-July when out-of-towners from the rest of the country, as
well as sweltering nearby inland folks head to the shores.
With many seaside tourist attractions, Santa Cruz has always
been one of Northern California's favorite playgrounds,
year-round. But take advantage of the diminished crowds now to
enjoy this spectacularly beautiful region in its native beauty.
Keep in mind that even though things are quiet now, you'll need
to book ahead for some of the more popular attractions, hotels
and restaurants. Call ahead to wineries to make sure they're
open (some are still on winter hours until May or June).
What to pack
Though you may be tempted to pack nothing but beach clothes, keep in mind that
this is Northern California, and temperatures in Santa Cruz usually
hover somewhere between 50 and 75 degrees. Inland temps do get a bit warmer,
but you'll do well to pack in layers—a windbreaker or jacket for cool mornings
on the beach, short sleeves for daytime, as things warm up, and a sweater
for evenings, especially if you plan on dining outside.
Dining Style
As in most of California, there's rarely an occasion you'll need a tie or sport
jacket. Even the most sophisticated restaurants usually welcome diners dressed
in pretty much anything appropriate for a casual office environment: slacks
and a sweater, a comfortable skirt, pants, whatever—though for really upscale
dining its best to avoid jeans if possible.
The People You'll Meet
Santa Cruz's "take it easy" mantra is pretty infectious.
Folks who live in this region tend to have come here for a reason:
the surfing lifestyle, the laid-back beach environment and California's
relaxed approach to, well, just about everything. It's not an
exaggeration to say that you'll likely be greeted by, "Hey
dude" more than once in this region, though the spaced out
surfer image that Santa Cruz gets saddled with is often more
generalization than reality. You will, however, likely meet more
than your fair share of painters, poets, writers and dreamers
during your visit to this region. Per capita, it's safe to say
that Santa Cruz attracts creative thinkers—of all stripes. So
chill, man, and enjoy.
Typical temperatures
Temperatures rarely go below 50 degrees or above 70 in the
spring (or most of the year, for that matter). Santa Cruz has
a very moderate climate most of the year, which makes it easy
to enjoy. Click
here for current weather forecasts.
Rainfall
Rain can be heavy this time of year, and there are sometimes mudslides along
some of the roads. Bring an umbrella and waterproof jacket, and consult your
hotel or local news channel to make sure roads are clear.
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