Best time to go to Los Angeles Average weather of Los Angeles, California
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 17/04/2024When is the best time to go to Los Angeles?
With its very sunny climate, Los Angeles is one of the year-round accessible destinations. However, the best time to visit Los Angeles is between May and October. Rain is rare and temperatures range between 20 and 30°C (86°F) .
The summer season, in July and August, corresponds to the peak tourist season. There is a massive influx of visitors to the various sites. Moreover, due to increased demand, most hotels raise their rates. It is therefore a busy and more expensive period.
If you prefer to explore the city in a quieter atmosphere, spring and early fall become the best times to visit Los Angeles. The weather conditions remain very favorable and tourists are fewer.
During this period, you also have a great chance of spotting whales, which are abundant in California. They come to feed off the coast of Los Angeles during their migration between June and October.
Furthermore, if you are wondering when to visit Los Angeles, it is worth knowing that it is a pleasant city to explore during the winter. Indeed, the climatic conditions allow for a retreat away from the harsh cold that can be found, for example, in New York or Boston.
In Los Angeles, temperatures range between 15 and 20°C (68°F) from December to February and precipitation is infrequent in this region. Thus, most activities remain accessible to travelers, even in the heart of winter.
So, when is the best time to go to Los Angeles? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:
- The weather is good all year round in Los Angeles
- On average, the warmest months are July, August, September and October
- Los Angeles has dry periods in May, June, July, August and September
- The coldest months are January, February and December
- The rainiest months are January, February and December
- The best months for swimming are June, July, August, September, October and November
Annual weather in Los Angeles
Weather details in Los Angeles month by month
Weather and climate in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, like the majority of the West Coast of the United States, and California in general, benefits from a subtropical climate with hot and sunny summers and mild winters.
The climate of Los Angeles is quite similar to a Mediterranean climate. However, due to its lower latitude, it experiences even warmer winters and, because of a cold current, summers are slightly cooler. The weather is therefore ideal all year round.
On the other hand, swimming is often chilly in California. While the Pacific Ocean reaches around 20°C between July and September, the water temperature is more commonly between 14 and 17°C (63°F) the rest of the year.
Moreover, the climate of Los Angeles is influenced by the presence of a typical wind, the Santa Ana, which comes from the desert. It brings heatwaves, especially during fall and winter.
Temperatures can suddenly rise to 25 or 30°C (86°F) in January but also above 40°C (104°F) in summer. This wind is partly responsible for wildfires, which are common in California during the dry season.
The weather in Los Angeles has four seasons. Specificities occur depending on the time of year.
Summer in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, like its neighbor San Diego, summers are long and dry, without being stifling. Indeed, the presence of a cool current from the Pacific Ocean helps to somewhat moderate summer temperatures and bring a touch of freshness. Thus, the average temperature is 25 to 28°C (83°F) between June and September.
However, heatwaves are also possible with peaks at 40°C (104°F) or higher on some days.
During summer, the sun is omnipresent in Los Angeles and the climate is almost arid.
However, even though the sky is often blue, the presence of mountains around the city frequently brings morning fog, especially at the beginning of summer.
An ideal season for your vacation, summer is also the best time if you want to enjoy Venice Beach for swimming.
Winter in Los Angeles
Unlike states like Illinois or Massachusetts, California, and more specifically Los Angeles, experiences very mild winters.
The temperature ranges between 15 and 20°C (68°F) from December to March.
However, this season is more humid than summer, with possible precipitation. There are 3 to 4 rainy days per month during winter. They usually come in the form of significant and concentrated showers.
As you might expect, snow is quite rare in Los Angeles in winter, except in the mountains of San Bernardino surrounding the city.
Fall in Los Angeles
Like in San Francisco or San Diego, temperatures are mild year-round in Los Angeles and fall is no exception. It ranges between 22 and 28°C (83°F) in fall. Moreover, the water remains pleasant for swimming in early fall.
Additionally, while it may rain during this season, precipitation is infrequent and quite low (less than 10 mm). You won't need to pack an umbrella!
The city of Los Angeles enjoys over 3200 hours of sunshine per year. Fall is also a sunny period and relatively warm.
Spring in Los Angeles
Spring is a pleasant season in Los Angeles. The climate is sunny and temperatures range between 20 and 25°C (77°F) . Rain is almost non-existent during this season.
However, the water temperature remains cool for swimming. It ranges between 15 and 17°C (63°F) .
Moreover, in spring, there may be some mornings when fog covers the city. It forms due to the contrast between the cold sea and the warming land. But the blue sky quickly returns during the day.
Charts: temperature and rainfall in Los Angeles
In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Los Angeles: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, sea temperature, and relative humidity for each month of the year.
Outside temperature
Precipitation (rainfall)
Daily sunshine hours
Sea temperature
Humidity
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Los Angeles
Find out when Los Angeles has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Los Angeles
- Very low season in Los Angeles
The months with the lowest number of tourists are: January, February, March and November. - Low season in Los Angeles
The months with low numbers of tourists are: April, May, October and December. - High season in Los Angeles
The number of visitors to Los Angeles is high in: June and September. - Peak season in Los Angeles
The largest number of tourists visiting Los Angeles is during: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Los Angeles month by month
Best time for low prices in Los Angeles
Average prices of hotels in Los Angeles month by month
Generally, December is the month with the lowest hotel prices in Los Angeles. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, August is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.
Find the best price for your hotel room
Average price for flights to Los Angeles
A return flight between London and Los Angeles is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 538 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 361 more for your airline ticket to Los Angeles if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Los Angeles
Average price of hiring a car in Los Angeles
On average, it costs $ 84 per day to hire a car in Los Angeles. This price varies by $ 27 depending on the month. In november, hiring a car costs an average of $ 72 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in july is $ 99.
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