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Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Pick your month to see the weather, crowds, hotel prices and what's on, or scan the full year below.
The best time to visit Los Angeles is April–May or September–October: warm, dry days in the 70s and 80s°F, with fewer crowds and lower hotel prices than July and August. January and February are cheapest but rainiest. Expect gray 'June Gloom' mornings at the beach in May and June.
Los Angeles month by month
| Month | High / low | Rain | Crowds | Hotel prices | What's on and what to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68°F / 49°F | 3.3 in | Low | Low | The Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day; the wettest stretch of the year, with sunny days between storms. Low hotel prices. |
| February | 69°F / 50°F | 3.8 in | Low | Low | Lunar New Year in Chinatown and the San Gabriel Valley. Green hills after the rains; the rainiest month on average. |
| March | 70°F / 52°F | 2.4 in | Medium | Medium | The LA Marathon and the Academy Awards season. Wildflowers in the hills; spring break crowds start. |
| April | 73°F / 55°F | 0.8 in | Medium | Medium | One of the best months: dry, mild and clear. Coachella fills desert hotels two hours east. |
| May | 75°F / 58°F | 0.3 in | Medium | Medium | Purple jacaranda trees bloom across the city. 'May Gray' brings cloudy mornings at the beach. |
| June | 79°F / 62°F | 0.1 in | High | High | 'June Gloom' keeps the coast cool and gray until midday; inland is warm. Pride month in West Hollywood; school holidays begin. |
| July | 84°F / 65°F | 0 in | High | High | Peak summer: beaches, outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Fourth of July fireworks. Busiest and priciest. |
| August | 85°F / 66°F | 0 in | High | High | The hottest month inland; the beach is the best place to be. Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. |
| September | 84°F / 65°F | 0.2 in | Medium | Medium | Often the warmest beach weather with summer crowds gone. The LA County Fair in Pomona. Heat waves are possible. |
| October | 79°F / 60°F | 0.7 in | Medium | Medium | Warm, dry and clear; Halloween in West Hollywood. Santa Ana winds can raise wildfire risk, so check alerts. |
| November | 73°F / 53°F | 1 in | Low | Medium | Día de los Muertos events, mild days and fewer visitors; Thanksgiving week is busy. |
| December | 67°F / 48°F | 2.3 in | Medium | Medium | Holiday lights, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and festive markets. Prices jump in the last week of the year. |
Temperatures and rain are long-term averages for Downtown LA; the coast is cooler in summer and inland valleys hotter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
April to May and September to October. The weather is warm and dry, the summer crowds and hotel prices aren't at their peak, and September and October often have the warmest beach weather of the year.
What is the cheapest time to visit LA?
January and February, apart from the New Year holiday, plus early November. Hotel prices are lowest then, and the weather is still mild, though it's the rainy season.
What is 'June Gloom' in LA?
A marine layer of low cloud that covers the coast on many May and June mornings, usually burning off by early afternoon. Inland areas like Hollywood and the Valley are often sunny while Santa Monica is gray.
Is it warm enough to swim in LA?
The Pacific stays cool year-round. Late summer and early fall are the warmest, when many people swim with a wetsuit or a quick dip; in winter the water is cold.
When is wildfire season in Los Angeles?
Fires can happen any time, but the risk is highest in late summer and fall when dry Santa Ana winds blow. Check local alerts before hiking, and see our hikes guide for trails that are open.
Sources and how current this is
The figures on this page are our best estimates, last checked in November 2026. Operators change prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
Best estimates (not official)
Where no official figure was available, we use our best estimate from published reports, operator sites, reviews and traveler reports. These are marked "est." in the tools above; treat them as a guide, not a quote.
- Monthly temperatures and rain — rounded 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Downtown Los Angeles, as widely reported
- Crowd and hotel-price levels — our judgment from hotel rate patterns, school holidays and events
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