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Book your Santa Cruz Mountains getaway
Tours & Tastings
Enjoy the backroads of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA as you'll find hidden gems scattered about.
MoreHotels & Resorts
There's plenty of options, from ultra-luxury in downtown San Jose to the national chain hotels around the region. We recommend you book your reservations during peak travel periods which is July through October.
MoreBars & Restaurants
Be sure to spend at least one evening in San Jose and another in the old town of Santa Cruz for a full culinary experience the region can offer. From fresh-caught seafood, contemporary to street tacos, you are going to absolutely love it.
MoreTransportation & Tour Companies
The Santa Cruz Mountains area is a massive area and you'll either want to drive your own car or hire a professional driver to get about.
MoreThings to Do
MoreGetaway Ideas
MoreWeather
Santa Cruz Mountains's seasons
Know what the best season is to visit Santa Cruz Mountains and what to wear.
Winter
Just like with the rest of the country, Santa Cruz Mountains has its coldest temperatures December through February. Average highs are right around the 58-60°F mark along the coast, and lows can drop into the mid-40s. In inland areas like Morgan Hill, Saratoga and Scotts Valley, average temps trend a bit higher with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Spring
Temperatures start rising in March, with coastal areas seeing average highs of about 61°F, and April and May brings temps into the mid 60s. Nights can still be quite chilly this time of year, with coastal lows usually staying in the high 40s. Inland, temperatures are also rising, with average highs in the high 60s and sometimes even tipping into the lows 70s.
Summer
June ushers in the summer months and official vacation season. Inland areas feel more like a traditional summer, with temps jumping to the high 70s. Lows usually only drop to the high 50s this time of year, and any rainfall is rare. You'll see temperatures in the mid to high 60s along the coast, with a good bit of morning fog, and a trip to the ocean-front cities is a great way to escape the heat that's in areas like Central Valley at this time of year.
Fall
Temperatures along the coast usually jump into the 70s come September and October, bringing an Indian Summer or “Secret Season” as the locals call it. Fall months typically bring pleasantly warm weather, and plenty of sun. Inland, temperatures are also a bit warmer year-round, with areas like Almaden and Scotts Valley averaging in the high 70s.
Tips
Santa Cruz Mountains's travel tips
Traveling to Santa Cruz Mountains
- San Jose International Airport (SJC) which is less than 45-minutes away from Santa Cruz Mountains AVA and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is roughly 90-minutes to the north.
- There are plenty of small, private airports scattered about the region, but there's also other transportation options such as ride-hailing apps and tour companies you can hire to get you about.
- To get about the Santa Cruz Mountains, you'll need to hire a private transportation service.
About Santa Cruz Mountains
There are about 200 small vineyards in the appellation grown on only about 1500 acres. The number of wineries and acreage planted with grapes has grown tremendously in the last few years as the area becomes recognized as a premium grape producing region. The individual micro-climates and marine influence contribute to the production of intensely, concentrated fruit, which lends itself to the creation of superior wines. Types of grapes grown are split evenly between four varieties: Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and other varieties such as Merlot and Zinfandel. The region’s vineyards and wineries actively support sustainable practices, and several vineyards are organic.
