Best time to visit · Los Angeles · United States
The best time to visit Los Angeles
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: CrispyCream27, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Los Angeles are March to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry, beaches are quieter and hotel prices dip outside holiday weeks. Summer is hot, busy and peak season for the theme parks, while May and June can be grey at the coast. Winter is mild and sunny between occasional storms and suits museums, hiking and city sightseeing.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–May and September–November
- Shoulder season
- June and December–February
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 20°C (68°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~6 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–May and October–November
Seasons
Los Angeles has a dry Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, nearly rainless summers and mild winters, when most of the year's rain falls. The coast is several degrees cooler than the inland valleys, May and June often bring a grey marine layer, and autumn Santa Ana winds can bring heat and high wildfire risk.
December–February
Winter
Mild, sunny days and cool nights, with most of the year's rain arriving in short storms; snow-capped mountains on clear days and lower prices outside the holidays.
March–May
Spring
Warm, dry and green, with wildflowers on the hills and comfortable hiking, though May mornings at the coast are often grey.
June–August
Summer
Hot and rainless inland, cooler at the beach after the June Gloom clears; peak crowds at the theme parks and the Hollywood Bowl season.
September–November
Autumn
Often the sunniest, warmest beach weather with fewer crowds, but also the season of Santa Ana winds and wildfire risk.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C | 9°C | 6 | 15°C | 10.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 21°C | 10°C | 6 | 15°C | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 22°C | 11°C | 5 | 15°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 23°C | 12°C | 3 | 16°C | 13 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 24°C | 14°C | 1 | 17°C | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 26°C | 16°C | 0 | 18°C | 14.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 29°C | 18°C | 0 | 20°C | 14.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 29°C | 18°C | 0 | 21°C | 13.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 28°C | 17°C | 1 | 21°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 26°C | 15°C | 2 | 19°C | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 23°C | 11°C | 3 | 17°C | 10.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 20°C | 9°C | 5 | 16°C | 9.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena (1 January, or 2 January when the 1st is a Sunday); Lunar New Year Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown (late January or February) |
| March | Los Angeles Marathon (usually March); Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre (usually March; Hollywood Boulevard closures beforehand) |
| April | Coachella and Stagecoach festivals in the desert near Palm Springs raise regional demand (usually April) |
| June | LA Pride in Hollywood and WeHo Pride in West Hollywood (usually June) |
| July | Hollywood Bowl summer season (usually June to September); Fourth of July fireworks across the region (4 July) |
| August | Nisei Week Japanese festival in Little Tokyo (usually August) |
| September | Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice (usually late September) |
| October | Halloween Carnaval in West Hollywood (31 October); Día de los Muertos events at Olvera Street and Hollywood Forever Cemetery (late October to early November) |
| November | Día de los Muertos celebrations (around 1–2 November); Hollywood Christmas Parade (usually the Sunday after Thanksgiving) |
| December | Holiday seasons at Disneyland and Universal Studios (usually mid-November to early January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–May and October–November, and the sights are quietest in January–May and September–November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Los Angeles?
The best times to visit Los Angeles are March to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry, beaches are quieter and hotel prices dip outside holiday weeks. Summer is hot, busy and peak season for the theme parks, while May and June can be grey at the coast. Winter is mild and sunny between occasional storms and suits museums, hiking and city sightseeing.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Los Angeles?
Usually in January–May and October–November. Mild, sunny days and cool nights, with the year's wettest spells; occasional storms bring heavy rain and snow on the San Gabriel Mountains.
+What is the rainiest month in Los Angeles?
January, with about 6 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Los Angeles get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F).