Santa Cruz California, USA Travel Guide
Even on warm days, evenings can feel cool. Layering is always a good strategy in Santa Cruz. Summer daytime means lightweight shirts, shorts, light dresses. Evenings require a light to medium-weight jacket or fleece.
Winter brings mild, wet conditions, while spring warms gradually. Be ready for varied temperatures. Daytime in winter means long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, jeans or warm pants. Evenings call for warm, waterproof outer layers.
Comfortable walking shoes or Sneakers are essential for exploring the city, Pacific Avenue, and the Wharf.
If you plan to explore redwood forests, Sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots with good grip are recommended.
Take beach sandals or flip-flops for beach days. During winter months, Waterproof shoes or boots are a wise choice.
Carry both physical and digital copies of important papers.
The U.S. Uses 120V, 60Hz. Plug types are Type A (two flat parallel pins) and Type B (two flat parallel pins and a round grounding pin). Most modern electronics (laptops, phones) are dual voltage.
U.S. mobile networks mainly use GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile) and CDMA (Verizon). Prepaid SIM cards or eSIMs offer good options for travelers, such as those from Airalo. A standard digital camera or smartphone camera works well.
Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze for driving. Santa Cruz METRO, Uber, Lyft for local transport.
Yelp, OpenTable for dining. NOAA Weather, AccuWeather for weather. AllTrails for hiking.
Google Translate for language. Consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing on public Wi-Fi.
Pack a personal health kit to address common travel ailments and sun exposure. Carry all prescription medications in their original labeled containers with a copy of your prescription and a doctor's note.
Sun protection is important. The California sun can feel strong even on cloudy days. Insect repellent is useful if spending time in forested areas (e.g., redwoods) or near standing water.
For exploring the redwood forests and other natural trails, comfortable and weather-appropriate gear is important.
The Pacific Ocean waters are cool, even in summer. Renting gear locally can save space in your luggage.
Tours can be chilly on the water, even on sunny days. Prepare for potentially rough seas.
These small items contribute to comfort and security, especially during long travel days or in new environments.
These reusable items contribute to a more sustainable trip and practical daily use in California.
Pack your own hygiene products in reusable containers to reduce waste.
Enjoy local cafes without single-use cups.
Access guides on your device to save paper and space.
Charge multiple devices with one adapter, handy in limited outlet situations.
Consider renting large items like wetsuits or surfboards. Local shops offer equipment for varying skill levels, saving you packing space.
Bring specific brands of toiletries or medications you prefer to save time and ensure availability locally.
