Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
A sprawling, car-dependent city stitched together from distinct neighbourhoods, known for its entertainment industry, beaches, and near-constant sunshine. It's less a single city centre than a patchwork of very different areas — Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica — each with its own character.
Best time to visit: March to May or September to November, when temperatures are comfortable and coastal fog is less frequent.
Local tip: Budget real time for driving between neighbourhoods — LA's distances look short on a map but traffic can make them slow.
Getting around: A car is close to essential for most itineraries — public transit exists but covers only parts of the city, and distances between neighbourhoods are significant.
Good to know: Morning marine layer (coastal fog and cloud) is common even in summer, especially near the beach — it usually burns off by early-to-mid afternoon.
What to plan your trip around
- Griffith Observatory
A hilltop observatory with free telescopes and panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign and city below.
- Santa Monica Pier
A classic oceanfront pier with an amusement park and beach access.
- The Getty Center
A hilltop art museum and gardens with free admission and tram access.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
The stretch of Hollywood Boulevard embedded with stars honouring entertainment-industry figures.
Los Angeles weather by month
Los Angeles weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Los Angeles gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 8°C | 68 mm | 60% |
| February | 19°C | 8°C | 53 mm | 61% |
| March | 20°C | 9°C | 57 mm | 65% |
| April | 22°C | 11°C | 17 mm | 61% |
| May | 24°C | 12°C | 10 mm | 63% |
| June | 27°C | 15°C | 1 mm | 56% |
| July | 30°C | 18°C | 3 mm | 51% |
| August | 31°C | 19°C | 1 mm | 48% |
| September | 30°C | 18°C | 4 mm | 50% |
| October | 27°C | 15°C | 8 mm | 50% |
| November | 22°C | 11°C | 27 mm | 52% |
| December | 18°C | 8°C | 56 mm | 56% |
Los Angeles through the year
January · 19° / 8°C · 68 mm
- January is among Los Angeles's three coolest months.
- It's wetter than a typical month in Los Angeles — roughly 168% more rain than average.
April · 22° / 11°C · 17 mm
- Just 50 km apart, but Los Angeles runs about 4°C warmer than Santa Ana this month.
- In Los Angeles, April is mid-spring.
July · 30° / 18°C · 3 mm
- July is Los Angeles's third warmest month.
- It's one of the drier months, with about 88% less rain than Los Angeles's average.
October · 27° / 15°C · 8 mm
- In Los Angeles, October is mid-autumn.
- Rain is well below Los Angeles's usual level (around 69% less).
The best time to visit Los Angeles is April, May and June, when average highs are 22–27°C and rainfall is around 9 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Los Angeles, season by season
December – February
Good19° / 8°C · 59 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
March – May
Best time22° / 11°C · 28 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Good29° / 17°C · 2 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Los Angeles in April, May and June. Average highs are then 22–27°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Los Angeles?
- In April, Los Angeles averages 22°C by day and 11°C at night, with about 17 mm of rain and 35% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Los Angeles?
- August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with average highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C.
- What is the coldest month in Los Angeles?
- December is the coldest month in Los Angeles: average highs of 18°C, dropping to 8°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Los Angeles?
- January is the wettest month in Los Angeles with about 68 mm of rain. The driest is June, with around 1 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Los Angeles?
- August is the least comfortable month for sightseeing in Los Angeles, with average highs of 31°C. If you go then, plan outdoor visits for early morning.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Los Angeles?
- Yes. March and July sit just outside the best months for Los Angeles, with average highs of 20–30°C and about 30 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Los Angeles before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Los Angeles from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Los Angeles. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/los-angeles
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