When is the best time to visit Los Angeles? September to November, then April to June: afternoons reach 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F) and it hardly rains. September and October are often the best months, with the warmest sea and fewer people than in summer. Winter stays mild (20 °C (68 °F)), but it is the rainy season; July and August are hot, sunny and very busy.
When to go to Los Angeles? The city has a Mediterranean climate: dry, hot summers and mild winters when most of the rain falls, from December to March. It is never really cold, but winter nights drop to around 9 °C (48 °F). Two quirks often surprise visitors: the gray morning sky in May and June on the coast (« May Gray » and « June Gloom »), and a cool sea all year, chilled by a current from the north. Here are the month-by-month benchmarks, based on the official NOAA normals.
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When to go to Los Angeles at a glance
- Best times September to November and April to June
- Hottest month August, with an average high of 28.9 °C (84 °F) in Downtown
- Wettest month February (92 mm (3.6 in)), followed by January (84 mm (3.3 in))
- Dry season May to September, with less than 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain a month
- Gray mornings frequent in May and June near the coast
- Peak season July–August, spring break and the year-end holidays
- More affordable periods January to March (outside major events) and mid-September to mid-November
When to go by priority
- Best weather: September and October (26 to 28 °C (79 to 82 °F) in the afternoon, almost no rain); April, May and November are also very good choices
- Cheapest: February (low to moderate prices), then January, March, May, October and November (moderate prices); rain falls mostly from December to March
- Fewest crowds: February, then November and January; avoid July and August, when crowds and prices peak
- Events: Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on January 1, Los Angeles Marathon in March, Halloween in West Hollywood on October 31, Día de los Muertos in late October to early November; check dates every year
Los Angeles: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, September, October, November
Los Angeles weather month by month
The table below uses the normals of the Downtown Los Angeles station, at Dodger Stadium. By the ocean, in Santa Monica or near the airport (LAX), summers are 3 to 4 °C (37 to 39 °F) cooler; in the inland valleys (San Fernando, Pasadena), they are noticeably hotter.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 9.4 °C (49 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | Low to moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Mild but rainy, cool nights |
| February | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 10.0 °C (50 °F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | Low | Low → moderate | ⚠️ The wettest, with fine breaks between storms |
| March | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Less rain, green hills |
| April | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 12.7 °C (55 °F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | Moderate (Easter) | Moderate → high | ✅ Mild and almost dry |
| May | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 14.5 °C (58 °F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Dry, gray mornings on the coast |
| June | 25.1 °C (77 °F) | 16.3 °C (61 °F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | High | High | ✅ Warm, morning « June Gloom » |
| July | 27.8 °C (82 °F) | 18.2 °C (65 °F) | 1 mm (0.0 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Fine and hot, but crowds and prices at their peak |
| August | 28.9 °C (84 °F) | 18.6 °C (65 °F) | 0 mm (0.0 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ The hottest, maximum crowds |
| September | 28.3 °C (83 °F) | 17.9 °C (64 °F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | Moderate | Moderate → high | ✅ Warm, dry, warmest sea |
| October | 25.9 °C (79 °F) | 15.5 °C (60 °F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Excellent month, Santa Ana winds possible |
| November | 22.7 °C (73 °F) | 11.7 °C (53 °F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | Low to moderate | Moderate | ✅ Mild, a good compromise |
| December | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 9.0 °C (48 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate → high | ⚠️ Mild but the rains return |
According to the same normals, Los Angeles has about 5 to 6 days of rain a month from December to March, and less than one a month from June to September. NOAA’s sunshine data (1961–1977 records) show the effect of the late-spring gray sky: about 64% of possible sunshine in May and June, compared with more than 80% in July and August.
Sea temperature month by month
At Los Angeles airport (LAX), the sea drops to around 14 °C (57 °F) in January–February and reaches 19 to 19.6 °C (66 to 67 °F) from August to September: it stays cool all year.
| Month | Los Angeles (LAX) |
|---|---|
| January | 13.9 °C (57 °F) |
| February | 14.2 °C (58 °F) |
| March | 14.6 °C (58 °F) |
| April | 15.4 °C (60 °F) |
| May | 16.2 °C (61 °F) |
| June | 17.8 °C (64 °F) |
| July | 19.0 °C (66 °F) |
| August | 19.6 °C (67 °F) |
| September | 19.0 °C (66 °F) |
| October | 18.1 °C (65 °F) |
| November | 16.5 °C (62 °F) |
| December | 14.8 °C (59 °F) |
Los Angeles’s seasons: pros and cons
Spring (March to June): mild, green, then gray in the morning
After the winter rains, the hills of Griffith Park and Malibu are green in March and April. Highs rise from 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) and the rain almost disappears from April. In May and June, a layer of low clouds often covers the coast in the morning and clears around noon or early afternoon; the farther from the ocean, the earlier the sun returns.
- Pros: pleasant temperatures for walking, hiking in the hills, prices still reasonable outside spring break
- Cons: cold sea for swimming, beaches often under cloud in the morning in May–June
- Our tip: April and May for sightseeing and hiking; keep the beach for the afternoon
Summer (July and August): hot, dry and very busy
Sun is almost guaranteed and afternoons reach 28 to 29 °C (82 to 84 °F) in Downtown, more in the valleys, where days above 35 °C (95 °F) are not rare. It is peak season: beaches, theme parks and studios are stormed, and hotel prices are at their highest. The dry heat also raises the wildfire risk in the hills.
- Pros: sun, long evenings, lively beaches, open-air concerts
- Cons: crowds, queues, even longer traffic jams, expensive hotels
- Our tip: book early and visit popular sites on weekdays, right at opening time
Autumn (September to November): the best season
September is often as hot as August (28.3 °C (83 °F)), but the summer vacations are over. The ocean reaches its highest temperature of the year and the sky is very often clear. In October and November, the Santa Ana winds, dry and hot, blowing from the interior, can push temperatures up and fan wildfires: follow the instructions of the authorities.
- Pros: stable fine weather, warmer sea, fewer people, lively Halloween
- Cons: heat episodes and wildfire risk during Santa Ana winds
- Our tip: from mid-September to late October, the most pleasant window
Winter (December to February): mild but rainy
Afternoons stay around 20 °C (68 °F), but it is the rainy season: about 240 mm (9.4 in) falls from December to February, often in a few intense episodes, sometimes with mudslides on burned areas. Between rains, the sky is very clear and the snow-capped mountains are visible from the city. Nights are cool (9 to 10 °C (48 to 50 °F)).
- Pros: lower prices (outside the holidays), quieter museums and studios, very clear light after the rain
- Cons: rainy days, cold sea, short days
- Who is it for? Travelers focused on museums, studios and the city, and those combining the trip with the deserts (Joshua Tree, Palm Springs)
When to go to Los Angeles by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and swimming | July to September | Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Malibu |
| Sightseeing, museums and studios | Year-round; ideally September to November and April to May | Hollywood, Downtown, Getty Center, Universal Studios |
| Hiking in the hills | March to May, October–November | Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains |
| Theme parks with kids | Outside school vacations: January to March (except long weekends), September–October | Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland (Anaheim) |
| West Coast road trip | May–June, September–October | Route to San Diego, Big Sur, San Francisco |
| Desert (Joshua Tree, Palm Springs) | November to April | A couple of hours’ drive east |
| Budget | January to March, November (outside Thanksgiving) | Everywhere |
Major events in Los Angeles
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Tournament of Roses Parade (flower-covered floats) | Pasadena |
| March (usually) | Academy Awards ceremony: the area around the Dolby Theatre is closed off | Hollywood |
| March | Los Angeles Marathon | Los Angeles |
| April | Coachella Festival | Indio, in the desert east of Los Angeles |
| June | LA Pride | West Hollywood and Hollywood |
| September – October | Halloween Horror Nights | Universal Studios Hollywood |
| October 31 | Halloween, a big street party | West Hollywood |
| Late October – early November | Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) | Olvera Street, Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
Los Angeles month by month: what to expect
January: 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon, 9 °C (48 °F) at night, 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain. Low prices after the holidays: a good month for museums, studios and the nearby deserts.
February: The wettest month (92 mm (3.6 in)), but it rains only 6 days on average. Between storms, bright skies and green hills.
March: 21 °C (70 °F), rain easing (57 mm (2.2 in)). The Academy Awards close part of Hollywood Boulevard for several days: check the date.
April: Mild (22 °C (72 °F)) and almost dry. Spring break and Coachella push prices up: book early.
May: 23 °C (73 °F), no rain, but the sky is often gray in the morning on the coast. A good month for hiking and sightseeing.
June: 25 °C (77 °F), the end of the school year in the US: crowds build. « June Gloom » covers the coast in the morning, the sun returns in the afternoon.
July: 28 °C (82 °F) and bright sun. Peak season: beaches, parks and hotels full, prices at their highest. On July 4, fireworks across the city.
August: The hottest month (28.9 °C (84 °F) in Downtown, more in the valleys). Warmer sea, but crowds everywhere.
September: Still 28 °C (82 °F), warmest sea, crowds falling after Labor Day (early September). One of the best months.
October: 26 °C (79 °F), clear skies. Lively Halloween. Santa Ana winds and wildfire risk to watch.
November: 23 °C (73 °F) and little rain (20 mm (0.8 in)): a good weather-price compromise, outside Thanksgiving week.
December: Mild (19.7 °C (67 °F)) but the rains return. Lights and year-end festivities: prices rise at Christmas and New Year.
When to book your trip to Los Angeles
For July–August, spring break and the year-end holidays, book your flights, accommodation and rental car 4 to 6 months ahead. For the rest of the year, 2 to 3 months is generally enough. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the main gateway; other airports in the area can also be an option.
Planning your trip to Los Angeles
- Entry requirements: passport, visa and travel authorization rules depend on your nationality: see our entry requirements for the United States.
- Time difference: Los Angeles is on Pacific Time (UTC−8, UTC−7 in summer): 3 hours behind New York and, most of the year, 8 hours behind London (details).
- Currency: the US dollar (USD). Prices are displayed before sales tax and, in restaurants, before the tip. Our currency converter helps you estimate your budget.
- Health: medical care is very expensive: travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is strongly recommended.
- Natural hazards: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026), wildfires are a danger in many dry areas, particularly in canyons, hills and forests, and high winds can make fires spread rapidly; California is among the states at higher risk of earthquakes. Check CAL FIRE for wildfires in California and the FEMA website for what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
To plan your stay, see our Los Angeles travel guide. For a road trip, see when to go to California, our California travel guide and our United States travel guide. Still unsure about the date? See our ideas for where to go in September or in April. For studios, museums and cruises, see our Los Angeles pass page before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Los Angeles?
September or October: 26 to 28 °C (79 to 82 °F) in the afternoon, almost no rain, the warmest sea and fewer people than in July–August. April, May and November are also very good choices.
What is the weather like in Los Angeles in winter?
Mild: about 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon and 9 to 10 °C (48 to 50 °F) at night from December to February, according to NOAA normals. It is the rainy season, with 5 to 6 days of rain a month on average.
Can you swim in Los Angeles?
Yes, especially from July to September, when the water is least cold. Even in summer, the ocean stays cool compared with the Mediterranean. Swim near lifeguard stations.
Why is the sky gray in Los Angeles in May and June?
A layer of low clouds from the ocean covers the coast in the morning: people call it « May Gray » and « June Gloom ». It generally clears around noon, earlier inland.
When is the cheapest time to visit Los Angeles?
From January to March, outside long weekends and major events, and in November outside Thanksgiving. Airfares and hotels are then much cheaper than in summer.
What is the hottest month in Los Angeles?
August, with an average high of 28.9 °C (84 °F) in Downtown, followed by September (28.3 °C (83 °F)). In the valleys the heat is stronger; by the sea it is more moderate.
Our sources
- NOAA (National Weather Service): 1991–2020 climate normals, Downtown Los Angeles station (Dodger Stadium); sunshine 1961–1977
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), climate table for Los Angeles (airport): average sea temperature
- Natural hazards information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for the USA (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
