Luxury holidays in Santa Cruz

When to go

Santa Cruz delights throughout the year for its steady sunshine and potential for whale-watching (though breed will depend on the month). ‘June Gloom’ refers to summer’s sometimes foggy mornings; autumn months tend to be quieter.

Getting there

• Planes

  San Jose Mineta International Airport and Monterey Regional Airport are each 45 minutes away by road from Santa Cruz; or touch down in San Francisco, which is just over an hour’s drive.

• Automobiles

  Wheels come in handy for exploring beyond the city, to further afield beaches, national parks and wineries. San Francisco is under two hours’ drive; Carmel-by-the-Sea is closer, around an hour away by car.