Which climate feature is not typical of Santa Cruz?

• A. Very hot, dry summers
• B. Coastal fog
• C. Mild Mediterranean climate
• D. Moderate rainfall

Answer: (A)

Santa Cruz’s climate is shaped by its Pacific coastal location, where the ocean moderates temperatures and the marine layer brings fog. This creates a mild Mediterranean pattern: rainfall concentrated in winter and dry summers, with summers that stay fairly comfortable rather than extreme. Coastal fog is a hallmark of this coast, helping keep mornings cool and afternoons mild. Rainfall occurs mostly in winter, with summers remaining comparatively dry. Very hot, dry summers aren’t typical because the ocean breeze and fog prevent the kind of heat extremes you’d expect inland. So the feature that doesn’t fit Santa Cruz is very hot, dry summers.