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Beach

Stairway to Beach (Pelton Ave.)

California

About

Stairway to Beach (Pelton Ave.) is a public ocean beach in California, about 1.5 miles from Santa Cruz. Access is free, with no fee charged. Late summer into early fall is the driest, warmest stretch. Typical averages from a nearby Santa Cruz weather station show September highs around 77°F with lows near 53°F, and only about one wet day a month from June through September. The closest outings are the Coast Vista Trail and Marsh Vista Trail, both about 2.2 miles away, along with the Prairie View Trail at 2.3 miles. Climbers can head to the UC Santa Cruz climbing area, about 3.6 miles off.

Beach Details

Lifeguards

None

Parking

Available

Fee

Free

Restrooms

None

As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.

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Location

Stairway to Beach (Pelton Ave.)

California

Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: Year-round. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 61–77°F and lows of 41–55°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Santa Cruz, CA weather station, 2.7 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.

  1. Jan63° high41° low
  2. Feb64° high43° low
  3. Mar67° high44° low
  4. Apr69° high46° low
  5. May71° high49° low
  6. Jun74° high52° low
  7. Jul74° high54° low
  8. Aug76° high55° low
  9. Sep77° high53° low
  10. Oct74° high50° low
  11. Nov67° high44° low
  12. Dec61° high41° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Nearest town
Santa Cruz, California · 1.5 mi

Source: USGS GNIS populated places

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Best time to visit Stairway to Beach (Pelton Ave.)

Best months: Year-round. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    63° / 41°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    64° / 43°

    10 wet

  3. Mar

    67° / 44°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    69° / 46°

    6 wet

  5. May

    71° / 49°

    3 wet

  6. Jun

    74° / 52°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    74° / 54°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    76° / 55°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    77° / 53°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    74° / 50°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    67° / 44°

    7 wet

  12. Dec

    61° / 41°

    10 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santa Cruz, CA, 2.7 mi away at 70 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.