Great riding in that area. I have family down that way. Funny you should ask, the last 2 times I rode there was in December 2011 and January 2012. Both rides were in great sunny weather with temps in the 60's. We get some great weather when a high pressure sets up and sends the winter rain storms north for a few days or a week at a time.

Here is my almost 30 miler from December '11 ride: http://app.strava.com/activities/2821736

Here is my 50 miler from January '12 ride: http://app.strava.com/activities/3198888

I like to climb, so what a great area. Locals told me to save the longer route I did in January for after Christmas. There are a lot of Christmas tree farms on one part of that loop and that means a lot of cars, but only in December.

Be sure to visit The Spokesman on Talbot St. in Santa Cruz. That is the serious roadie shop in town. The owner Wade Hall is great.