Month guide · Los Angeles · United States
Los Angeles in May
What May is really like in Los Angeles: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: David Zaitz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Los Angeles. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 13.9 hours of daylight. Warm inland but often grey at the beach in the mornings ('May Gray'), usually clearing by afternoon.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 6th-warmest month in Los Angeles: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with April (23°C (73°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs climb to around 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:47
- Daylight
- About 13.9 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Winter (December–February). 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.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Los Angeles, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · Brentwood
Getty Center
Visit on a clear afternoon and stay for sunset from the west-facing terraces and the cactus garden.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Architecture
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier
The 1909 pier holds Pacific Park's solar-panelled Ferris wheel and roller coaster, a carousel in the 1916 Looff Hippodrome, a small aquarium under the pier and the sign marking the end of Route 66.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
- Free
Neighbourhood · Venice
Venice Beach Boardwalk and canals
Walk the boardwalk in the late morning, then cut inland to the canals and Abbot Kinney Boulevard for lunch.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Food
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Nature · Griffith Park
Hollywood Sign trails
The Hollywood Sign stands on Mount Lee in Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Free
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 14°C and 1 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Los Angeles?
One of the best months to visit Los Angeles. The other best months are March–April and September–November. Compare every month.
Los Angeles in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Los Angeles?
It is one of the best months to visit Los Angeles. Warm inland but often grey at the beach in the mornings ('May Gray'), usually clearing by afternoon.
+How warm is Los Angeles in May?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in May?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.