The best time to visit Los Angeles?
The best time to visit Los Angeles is spring and fall. Read on for the best weather, crowds, and events, plus when to beach-hop, sightsee, and save.
When to go to Los Angeles for the best weather, crowds and events?
The best time to visit Los Angeles is usually March to May and September to November, when the weather is warm and sunny, outdoor plans are easier to enjoy, and crowds are lighter than in peak summer. These months suit most travelers, whether you want beach time in Santa Monica and Malibu, sightseeing around Hollywood and Downtown LA, or hiking in Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon. Summer is best for classic beach days, rooftop bars, and family vacations, while winter is mild enough for museums, festive events, and awards-season trips.
If you are looking for the cheapest time to visit Los Angeles or fewer crowds, spring and fall often offer a better balance of value and sightseeing conditions than midsummer. Some travelers may prefer to avoid July and August, when beaches, theme parks, and major attractions are busiest, or parts of winter and early spring if they want the driest weather. Whichever month you choose to stay, you'll find plenty of unique and iconic things to do in Los Angeles.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The best time to visit Los Angeles for different travel styles
- Answer common FAQs
- Explain the difference between coastal and inland weather
- A month-by-month guide to help you choose the right time to go.
A quick guide to the best months to visit Los Angeles
What are the best months to visit Los Angeles overall?
For most travelers, the best months to visit Los Angeles are March, April, May, September, October, and November. These months usually offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds, and good conditions for beaches, hiking, and sightseeing.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles for beaches?
The best time to visit Los Angeles for beaches is usually May to September, when the weather is warmest and best for Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and outdoor coastal activities.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles for sightseeing and hiking?
For sightseeing, walking tours, and hiking, March to May and September to November are usually best. These months are milder than peak summer and make places such as Griffith Observatory, Runyon Canyon, Hollywood, and the Getty easier to enjoy.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles for events?
If you want Los Angeles at its liveliest, look at January to March for awards season, summer for outdoor concerts and festivals, October for Halloween events, and December for holiday lights and end-of-year celebrations.
What is the cheapest time to visit Los Angeles?
For better value Los Angeles stays, March to May and September to November, are the cheapest months to visit. Both flights and Los Angeles villa rental rates are at their most competitive, compared to the peak summer months.
What are the best Los Angeles events by season?
In winter, highlights include awards season and whale migration along the California coast. In spring, top draws include the LA Marathon and blooming gardens. In summer, expect outdoor concerts, festivals, fireworks, and busy beach events. In fall, standout picks include Halloween events, wine festivals, and seasonal attractions such as Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights.
The best time to visit Los Angeles: a month-by-month guide
From awards season and whale watching to summer beach days, fall hikes, and festive winter lights, the best time to visit Los Angeles depends on what you want to do. Our month-by-month guide aims to help you plan around the city’s top seasonal experiences, events, and attractions.
Los Angeles in January
January is one of the quieter months to visit Los Angeles, making it a good time for museums, galleries, shopping, and winter city walks without peak-season crowds. Holiday lights often linger into the first week of the month, ice-skating rinks stay busy, and the city’s cultural attractions feel calmer after New Year. January is also part of awards season, which gives Hollywood extra energy, while whale watching along the coast adds a seasonal wildlife highlight.
Weather in Los Angeles in January
Mild and comfortable by city-break standards, with cooler evenings and some winter rain. Coastal areas stay breezier, while inland neighborhoods can feel a little warmer by day. Average temperature: 58°F (15°C).
Los Angeles in February
February is a strong month for romantic getaways, indoor sightseeing, and cultural trips. Neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Downtown LA work especially well for dining, galleries, and evening plans, while awards season continues to shape the city’s atmosphere. Coastal walks and museum days are both easy to build into a shorter trip.
Weather in Los Angeles in February
Mild, brighter than many winter city destinations, and still cool enough for easy sightseeing. Some rain is possible, but outdoor plans are usually still very manageable. Average temperature: 59°F (15°C).
Los Angeles in March
March marks the start of spring in Los Angeles, with milder temperatures, fewer crowds than summer, and good conditions for walking tours, food markets, and outdoor neighborhoods such as Silver Lake and Echo Park. Whale migration continues along the coast, and the city feels more relaxed than during the busiest travel periods.
Weather in Los Angeles in March
Mild and pleasant, with spring sunshine mixing with the occasional cooler or wetter day. It is a good month for layered sightseeing and lighter hiking. Average temperature: 61°F (16°C).
Los Angeles in April
April is one of the best times to visit Los Angeles for gardens, early beach days, rooftop dining, and city sightseeing. The LA Marathon adds a major event to the calendar, and the weather is usually ideal for Griffith Park, outdoor cafés, and coastal exploring before summer crowds build.
Weather in Los Angeles in April
Warm, comfortable, and spring-like, with sunnier days and good conditions for outdoor sightseeing. Coastal neighborhoods stay cooler than inland parts of the city. Average temperature: 64°F (18°C).
Los Angeles in May
May is one of the strongest months in the calendar and one of the best months to visit Los Angeles overall. Pre-summer warmth, longer days, and a lively but not yet peak-season feel make it ideal for beaches, family attractions, outdoor concerts, and neighborhood hopping. Gardens such as the Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens in San Marino bloom with life. It is also a strong month for travelers who want warm weather without the busiest summer crowds.
Weather in Los Angeles in May
Warm and sunny, with beach-friendly afternoons and comfortable evenings. It is one of the easiest months for combining coast, culture, and outdoor activities. Average temperature: 66°F (19°C).
Los Angeles in June
June brings classic early-summer Los Angeles energy, with beach days, hiking, rooftop bars, and long daylight hours. Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and Malibu all feel especially appealing, while outdoor events and family attractions step up for the season. It is a strong month for travelers who want sunshine without the absolute peak of summer demand.
Weather in Los Angeles in June
Warm and bright, with pleasant beach weather and slightly cooler coastal mornings. Inland parts of the city usually feel warmer than the oceanfront. Average temperature: 69°F (21°C).
Los Angeles in July
July is peak summer in Los Angeles and one of the busiest times to visit. It is best for beach vacations, family trips, and classic LA outdoor living, with packed boardwalks, busy theme parks, and a full calendar of concerts and summer events. Fourth of July fireworks are a major highlight across the city.
Weather in Los Angeles in July
Hotter inland, sunny on the coast, and generally dry. Beaches stay popular, while urban neighborhoods and valley areas can feel much warmer. Average temperature: 73°F (23°C).
Los Angeles in August
August is one of the warmest months and suits travelers who want open-air cinemas, beach volleyball, food truck events, and long evenings out. The city still feels lively, but it can be easier to focus on coastal neighborhoods and ocean breezes than all-day inland sightseeing.
Weather in Los Angeles in August
Hot and sunny overall, with the warmest conditions inland and slightly cooler breezes near the beach. It is peak summer weather for beach-focused trips. Average temperature: 75°F (24°C).
Los Angeles in September
September is one of the best times to visit Los Angeles, with warm weather, fewer crowds than midsummer, and very good conditions for coastal drives, hiking, farmers’ markets, and outdoor yoga. It is a standout month for travelers who want classic LA weather with a calmer overall pace.
Weather in Los Angeles in September
Warm, sunny, and dry, with some of the best all-round weather of the year. Coastal and inland areas both work well for sightseeing, though inland spots remain warmer. Average temperature: 74°F (23°C).
Los Angeles in October
October is a strong shoulder-season month for Los Angeles, with cooler evenings, good hiking weather, and a packed fall events calendar. Halloween events, wine festivals, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood make this one of the city’s most atmospheric months. It is also a good time for canyon walks and neighborhood exploring.
Weather in Los Angeles in October
Warm by day and cooler after dark, with very comfortable sightseeing conditions. It is one of the best months for hiking and outdoor evenings. Average temperature: 69°F (21°C).
Los Angeles in November
November brings milder temperatures, quieter sightseeing, cultural exhibitions, and the first signs of the holiday season. Thanksgiving festivities, early winter markets, and lighter tourist numbers make it a strong month for visitors who want a calmer city break with plenty still going on.
Weather in Los Angeles in November
Mild and comfortable, with cooler evenings and a slightly greater chance of rain than in summer. It still feels very manageable for outdoor plans. Average temperature: 63°F (17°C).
Los Angeles in December
December is festive, lively, and one of the best months for holiday lights, Christmas events, winter shows, and end-of-year celebrations. Seasonal attractions, decorated streets, and nearby winter escapes add variety, while New Year’s events give the city extra energy later in the month.
Weather in Los Angeles in December
Mild for winter, with cool evenings and the chance of some rain. It is still easy to enjoy outdoor sightseeing between festive stops and seasonal events. Average temperature: 58°F (14°C).
Where to stay in Los Angeles
For first-time visitors, central areas of Los Angeles make it easier to mix Hollywood sights, museums, and day trips to the coast. Hollywood Hills suits travelers who want iconic views, a more private stay, and easy access to nightlife and hiking, while Beverly Hills is best for luxury shopping, dining, and a more upscale base close to West Hollywood and the city’s best-known neighborhoods.
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