Best Time to Go to Los Angeles

If you're planning to travel to Los Angeles but haven't decided on a date yet, this post is for you. I'll tell you the best time to visit the city, so take note!

Camilla Graciano

Camilla Graciano

7 min read

Best Time to Go to Los Angeles

Los Angeles at sunset | ©Juan Samudio

When planning what to see and do in Los Angeles, it's always good to know a little about the climate and some other characteristics of the city, so you can put together a tailor-made travel itinerary and have the holiday of your dreams. This way, you can choose the perfect activities for the time of year you want to travel.

This does not mean that there are better or worse times to travel. In fact, Los Angeles has good weather, warm and dry almost all year round, and temperatures are usually mild in all seasons. But yes, there are certain factors that make some dates more convenient than others, such as the influx of tourists, prices and the weather, among others.

Winters are not so harsh, but they are rainy, and summers are warm with temperatures tempered by breezes from the Pacific Ocean. My recommendation is to take advantage of the mild temperatures of autumn and spring, although if you can only travel in summer, don't hesitate! Below, I'll tell you the best time of year to visit Los Angeles.

When is the best time to travel to Los Angeles?

Universal Studios Hollywood| ©Mathieu Marquer
Universal Studios Hollywood| ©Mathieu Marquer

Los Angeles has good weather almost all year round, but if you have to choose a specific date, I recommend between March and May or between September and November, meaning that the best seasons would be spring and autumn. There are two main reasons for this: the influx of tourists decreases considerably compared to the summer season and the temperatures are rather warm.

Between March and May, the minimum temperatures can be 14 °C, while the maximum temperatures reach 20 °C. Between September and November, however, the minimum is around 16 °C and the maximum is 22 °C. As you can see, the climate is similar at these times of year and, in my opinion, they are the best times to visit the city and its main attractions without feeling overwhelmed or cold.

At these times of year, the climate also allows you to enjoy the beach. Although in this case, I recommend travelling between September and November, as the water temperature is around 18 °C, while between March and May it is 14 °C.

Although winter temperatures are not so harsh, with an average of 18 °C, and accommodation prices are considerably lower than in other seasons, it is the rainiest time of year in Los Angeles, which is why I do not recommend it as much. However, another big advantage of winter is that you can enjoy celebrations such as Christmas in Los Angeles, with a huge number of activities.

If you are a fan of the heat, summer may be a good time for you, as the temperature tends to rise a little more and the weather becomes hot. However, with rising temperatures, the influx of tourists also increases and many parts of the city become a little overwhelming in every way.

Book a tour of Los Angeles

Visiting Los Angeles in spring: one of the best times to explore the city in peace

Spring in Los Angeles| ©Adam Garcia
Spring in Los Angeles| ©Adam Garcia

Spring is one of the best times to visit Los Angeles for two main reasons: the temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer tourists than at other times of the year.

Temperatures in March, April and May are usually between 11 °C and 23 °C, and although there may be some rain from time to time, it won't stop you from enjoying your holiday. What's more, in May there is almost no rain.

It's the ideal time to explore the city, as you can get around without worrying about the heat or cold and you won't have to deal with long queues to get into the most popular tourist attractions, such as Universal Studios Hollywood.

What's more, I can assure you that taking a tour of Hollywood without having to dodge the large crowds of tourists who stroll along the city's most famous boulevard every day is priceless. You can even visit the homes of the most famous celebrities and take many more tours without feeling overwhelmed.

As the temperatures are pleasant at this time of year and there aren't as many tourists, you'll probably be tempted to take a dip in the sea and enjoy coastal areas such as Santa Monica or Venice Beach. If you dare, go for it! But let me warn you that the sea temperature is a bit low, at around 14 °C.

Book tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood

Visit Los Angeles in autumn: pleasant temperatures to enjoy the city and beaches, with fewer tourists

Strolling through Los Angeles in autumn| ©John Sequeira
Strolling through Los Angeles in autumn| ©John Sequeira

Autumn is another great time to explore the city and enjoy the waters of the Pacific Ocean. With slightly higher temperatures in September and slightly lower temperatures in October and November, autumn offers a summer-like holiday, but with more pleasant weather and fewer tourists.

In September, temperatures range between 17 °C and 28 °C, making it the perfect time to enjoy the Pacific coast and swim in the sea, while in October and November they range between 12 °C and 26 °C.

It is also a good time to explore the city and visit the main attractions, when the majority of tourists have already left. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy, and you can take advantage of the good weather to take a helicopter tour of Los Angeles or go for a boat ride and sail the calm waters in unbeatable weather.

It's also a good time to walk the streets of the city, take a free walking tour of Downtown Los Angeles or Hollywood, or even take the tourist bus to tour the city from end to end with free stops on a double-decker bus with an open top deck.

Book the Los Angeles sightseeing bus

Visiting Los Angeles in summer: heat, crowds and a great atmosphere

Los Angeles in summer| ©meeyak
Los Angeles in summer| ©meeyak

A summer holiday in Los Angeles with sun, beach and a great atmosphere is a great plan. In June, the weather is mild, but not excessively hot, while in July and August, temperatures can be a little stifling and you won't want to leave the sea.

In June, temperatures are usually between 16 °C and 25 °C, while in July and August they rise to a minimum of 18 °C and a maximum of 29 °C. There are many activities to enjoy a unique summer in Los Angeles, with the festive and cheerful atmosphere that the crowds bring to the city and beaches.

Theme parks are an excellent plan for the summer, but keep in mind that they are usually crowded with tourists and you will have to wait in long queues. You can also take advantage of your visit to see the Warner Bros. studios. I recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance for both attractions.

Another great plan is to take advantage of the good weather to explore the different coastal areas in more depth with a tour from London or on your own. You can visit Malibu, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and much more.

In addition, all that festive atmosphere also carries over to the summer nights, which have a unique style and intensity characteristic of London. Here is a guide to night-time activities so you can enjoy the city after dark.

Last but not least, I want to mention an important fact: the peak tourist season in Los Angeles is between June and August. For this reason, it is important to bear in mind that prices for accommodation, restaurants and some activities tend to be higher during the summer than the rest of the year.

Buy your tickets to Warner Bros Studios

Visiting Los Angeles in winter: rain, lower prices and a festive atmosphere

Winter in Los Angeles| ©Kevin Gil
Winter in Los Angeles| ©Kevin Gil

In terms of climate, Los Angeles in winter is not usually the best plan, as rainfall is more frequent, although temperatures remain pleasant, between 10 °C and 18 °C, with cool nights but days that are nice enough to visit the city's main attractions.

In addition, it is important to know that Los Angeles is not one of those cities where there is not much to do in winter, quite the contrary. From the end of November onwards, the city is flooded with a special festive atmosphere and becomes very picturesque and beautiful to explore. So, you just need to make sure you have an umbrella handy and you're all set to enjoy Los Angeles in winter.

There are many activities and attractions to see and unique things to do. Here is a guide to things to see and do in Los Angeles in winter. From ice skating to all kinds of diverse events to celebrate important dates such as Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Christmas in Los Angeles or New Year's Eve. The city streets and its most important monuments are decked out in bright lights and decorations abound in every corner.

It's also usually a good time to visit some of the best museums in Los Angeles and use them, in many cases, as a refuge from possible rain or bad weather.

Book a tour of downtown Los Angeles

A comparison of the different seasons for visiting Los Angeles

Strolling along Venice Beach| ©Martin Péchy
Strolling along Venice Beach| ©Martin Péchy

I've already told you a little about the best time to visit Los Angeles, with the pros and cons of each season, but to summarise and give you a clearer picture, here is a table with information about the different times of year so you can better plan your trip.

  • Winter
  • December - March
  • Maximum 18ºC
  • Minimum 9ºC
  • The best: festive atmosphere, lower prices and fewer tourists
  • Worst: quite rainy weather
  • Spring
  • March - June
  • Maximum 20ºC
  • Minimum 10ºC
  • The best: good weather for exploring the city and tranquillity
  • Worst: not such good weather for enjoying the sea
  • Summer
  • June - August
  • Maximum 24ºC
  • Minimum 15ºC
  • The best: warm weather for enjoying the beach and a great atmosphere
  • Worst: large crowds of tourists and higher prices
  • Autumn
  • September - November
  • Maximum 23ºC
  • Minimum 11ºC
  • The best: good weather for exploring the city and enjoying the beach, and fewer tourists
  • Worst: not as festive an atmosphere or special events