United States
Best Time to Visit Los Angeles
Los Angeles enjoys near-perfect weather year-round, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. The real variable is crowds and pricing: winter holidays and summer school breaks draw massive tourist influxes, whilst spring and autumn offer a sweeter balance of pleasant conditions and manageable visitor numbers.
✦ Visit April–May or October for weather, prices, and crowd equilibrium; avoid July–August and mid-December to early January unless you prefer heat, expense, and queues.
✅ Best months
April–May and September–October deliver the optimal combination. Spring offers 70–75°F days, low humidity, and pre-summer crowds. Autumn mirrors this with slightly warmer temperatures (75–80°F) and thinner tourist traffic after summer exodus.
🔥 Peak season
July–August and December–January dominate. Summer attracts families on school holidays; winter brings Christmas–New Year travellers and international visitors fleeing cold climates. Hotel rates spike 40–60% above shoulder season; booking 2–3 months ahead is essential. Theme parks, beaches, and major attractions experience queue times exceeding 90 minutes.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
April–May and October–November provide 20–35% discounts versus peak months. Weather remains excellent (65–80°F), beaches are swimmable, and popular attractions remain open with significantly shorter waits. Late September–early October carries the lowest rates of the year.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
February and early March offer the cheapest hotel rates and smallest crowds. Trade-offs: occasional rain (1–2 inches monthly), occasional overcast mornings, and some beach days below comfortable swimming temperature (60–65°F). Daylight extends to ~6pm by month's end.
Los Angeles season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: 16–24°C; sunny, dry, occasional light rain in March
Crowds: low to medium
Ideal for hiking (wildflower blooms March–April), outdoor dining, and cultural venues. Near-perfect conditions without summer heat.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: 21–27°C; hot, consistently sunny, virtually no rain
Crowds: high
School holidays drive peak tourism. Beach season in full swing. Early mornings and evenings are best; midday heat (27–29°C) concentrates crowds at air-conditioned attractions.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: 18–26°C; warm, dry, occasional marine layer mornings
Crowds: low to medium
Water temperature peaks (24°C in September), making it the best month for ocean swimming. Summer tourists depart; locals reclaim beaches and hiking trails.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: 13–20°C; mild, dry most days, 1–2 rainy spells monthly
Crowds: medium to high (Dec–Jan); low (Feb)
December–January brings holidays and international visitors. February is remarkably quiet and affordable. Rare frost but generally mild; outdoor activities remain viable.
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
The Academy Awards (Oscars) in late February/early March transforms Hollywood's atmosphere and blocks central hotel availability months in advance. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (mid-April, 120 miles east) draws music fans; accommodation spikes across LA as attendees base themselves here.
🧳 What to pack
Layer defensively: LA's marine layer brings cool, overcast mornings (5–10°C cooler than afternoon) year-round, especially June–August coastal areas. A lightweight jumper or windbreaker is essential even on days forecasted at 25°C.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Los Angeles hotel.
Guide last updated June 2026.