Best time to visit Santa Cruz, CA

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Santa Cruz, CA

13 THINGS TO DO IN SANTA CRUZ, CA (OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 26)

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

October 19-20, 2024 • event

The size of those pumpkins will blow your mind

California Fall Colors

California Fall Colors

late September–early November • nature

Admire bronze and amber foliage throughout the Golden State

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch Butterfly Migration

late October–January • nature

Thousands of butterflies spend winter in the Santa Cruz sanctuary

Big Sur Road Trip

Big Sur Road Trip

March–May | September–March • activity

Beautiful coastline, amazing forests, and gorgeous mountains—Big Sur has it all

Oyster Season

Oyster Season

September–April • food

Oysters are consumed in San Francisco and other cities on the California's coast in accordance with “R” myth that determines the oyster season

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

mid-December–mid-April (all year round) • nature

From North to South, California observes the giant marine creatures migration every year

Surfing

Surfing

September–May • activity

Autumn soft offshore breezes create perfect consitions for surfing

Surfing

Surfing

October–March (all year round) • activity

Amazing swells, great weather conditions, and various opportunities on dozens of ideal surfing beaches are waiting for you in the Golden State

Shark Fin Cove

Shark Fin Cove

all year round • nature

A great sunset spot and one of the best beaches in California

Cycling

Cycling

April–October • activity

Picturesque scenery, varied terrain, and gentle weather conditions attract cyclists to the Golden State

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

March–October • activity

Nothing can beat the Windy City in terms of wind sports

Monkey Puzzle Seeds

Monkey Puzzle Seeds

September–October • food

Soft starchy seeds have been feeding humans, rodents and birds since Jurassic Period

Fuyu Persimmons

Fuyu Persimmons

October–November • food

Latins called Fuyu persimmon “the fruit of the gods”

9 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach

out of rangelate January–late April (best in mid-February–early April) • nature

One of the most picturesque coastal areas in Big Sur

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey Jazz Festival

out of rangeSeptember 27-29, 2024 • event

Top names of jazz gather together in one place to share their talent among real fans. Don't miss one of the greatest jazz events in the world!

Ice Plant Bloom

Ice Plant Bloom

out of rangeMay • nature

One of Pacific Grove's most prominent sights

Gilroy Garlic Festival

Gilroy Garlic Festival

out of rangeJuly 13, 2023 • event

A three-day celebration of garlic and other delicious foods

Elephant Seals

Elephant Seals

out of rangeDecember–March • nature

These seals with elephant noses roam the ocean searching for food, and go ashore to breed and molt

Lick Observatory

Lick Observatory

out of rangeJune–September • activity

Visit the first permanent mountain top observatory in the world

4th of July in Santa Cruz

4th of July in Santa Cruz

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

How about celebrating Independence Day in Santa Cruz style?

Santa Cruz Christmas Lights

Santa Cruz Christmas Lights

out of rangelate November–late December  • event

Take a ride on a holiday train or a holiday boat in festive Santa Cruz

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding

out of rangeApril–August • activity

Just choose the right season and the right spot to enjoy your favourite water activity in the Sunny State

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