An all-season guide to the best time to visit Los Angeles

Santa Monica in the spring or LACMA in the fall? Take your pick in this month-by-month guide to Los Angeles.
An all-season guide to the best time to visit Los Angeles

From exploring Santa Monica and Venice Beach in the spring to wine tasting in Santa Barbara in the fall, Los Angeles promises a good time all year long.

Looking for the best time to visit Los Angeles? That depends on your interests and your budget. This monthly guide covers everything you need to know about the best months for seasonal events, thinner crowds at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and other attractions, lower prices, and the best weather.

The famous Rose Parade in January or holiday concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in December? This month-by-month guide to Los Angeles will help you decide.

Choosing the best time to go to Los Angeles

Best time for outdoor lovers

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, spring and fall are the best times to visit Los Angeles. The weather is mild, with temperatures ranging between 70 F and 85 F (21 C to 29), and you’ll enjoy fewer crowds than during the summer months.

Best time for people on a budget

Traveling to LA on a budget? Save money by visiting Los Angeles in winter, from January to February. These months see the lowest number of tourists, meaning you can snag good deals on flights, accommodation, and attractions.

Best time for sightseeing

Spring and fall are ideal for sightseeing in Los Angeles. With mild, dry weather and fewer tourists, you’ll have a more pleasant and peaceful experience exploring the city’s iconic sights, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame or Griffith Observatory.

Los Angeles throughout the seasons

Spring in Los Angeles
March to May

Spring in Los Angeles promises mild and pleasant weather, with average temperatures from 60°F (16°C) to 75°F (24°C). It’s the perfect season for outdoor activities. Check out Cinco de Mayo celebrations in May or the world-famous Coachella Music Festival in April.

Summer in Los Angeles
June to August

Summer in LA is warm and sunny, with temperatures from 70 F to 95 F (21C to 35 C) — perfect for a dip at Santa Monica Beach or Venice Beach. Plan your trip around the Los Angeles Film Festival in June, the Independence Day Fireworks in July, or the LA County Fair in August. The Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Series runs from June through September and is a true summer highlight.

Fall in Los Angeles
September to November

Fall brings cooler temperatures, ranging from 70 F to 80 F (21 C to 27 C), and fewer tourists, making it a perfect time to visit. The leaves change color in the city parks and outdoor spaces. Embrace the season at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, LA Oktoberfest, or the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Winter in Los Angeles
December to February

Winter in LA is mild, with temperatures between 50 F and 65 F (10 C and 18 C). Expect occasional rain, but most days are sunny. Enjoy winter events like the Holiday Lights Train Ride at Griffith Park, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and New Year’s celebrations at Grand Park.

January in Los Angeles

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Discover Urban Light, a must-see art installation in Los Angeles.

Kick off the year with the Rose Parade on January 1 in Pasadena, featuring flower-decorated floats. January is a cool and quiet month to visit Los Angeles, perfect for budget travelers. Escape the rain by exploring contemporary art exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), including the Urban Lights installation. On sunny days, visit popular attractions like Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive without the crowds.

Weather

January is cool, with temperatures from 50 F to 65 F (10 C to 18 C). Nights get chilly, and it’s LA’s wettest month.

Book tickets for the Los Angeles County Museum

February in Los Angeles

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Celebrate Valentine's Day with a fun date at the Santa Monica Pier.

Feel the love with romantic Valentine’s Day events at The Grove and Santa Monica Pier. Head to Chinatown for the Golden Dragon Parade and Chinese New Year celebrations, featuring cultural performances and traditional food. February is the perfect time to explore the history and architecture of Downtown LA. Stroll through Grand Central Market, the famous Union Station, and El Pueblo, where Los Angeles was first established in 1781 as a farming community.

Weather

Temperatures remain cool, averaging 50 F to 65 F(10 C to 18 C). Rainfall remains relatively high.

Explore Chinatown tours

March in Los Angeles

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March is the perfect month for hiking in the Hollywood Hills.

March brings mild spring weather, perfect for relaxing at Echo Park and the Getty Villa. If you want to get active outdoors, hike in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park, two stunning trail locations in Los Angeles. On March 17, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with parades, parties, and bar crawls in Santa Monica and Downtown LA.

Weather

March is mild, with temperatures around 60 F to 70 F (15 C to 21C). Rain decreases slightly.

April in Los Angeles

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Experience the famous Coachella Festival near LA in the spring.

April welcomes the Coachella Music Festival and Easter celebrations. Enjoy Easter egg hunts and the Easter Sunday Parade in Hollywood — perfect for visiting Los Angeles with kids. Universal Studios Hollywood also hosts fun spring and Easter-themed attractions in April. Enjoy the pleasant weather, find your favorite celebrities on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or visit the Hollywood Sign.

Weather

April is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 60 F to 75 F (16 C to 24 C). Rain is minimal.

Book Universal Studios tickets in advance

May in Los Angeles

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Visit the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles at dusk.

Wondering what to do in Los Angeles in May? Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a lively annual holiday commemorating Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in 1862. Soak up the atmosphere with street festivals and events. May’s mild, dry weather is perfect for outdoor activities. Hike to the Griffith Observatory or visit Runyon Canyon. Or head to the beaches in Malibu before the summer crowds arrive. Don’t miss sunsets with seafood at the stunning Marina del Rey waterfront.

Weather

Warm and pleasant temperatures prevail in May, averaging between 65 F and 80 F (18 C to 27 C). May is dry with minimal rain.

Best hiking experiences in Los Angeles

June in Los Angeles

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Explore Venice Beach in June, a must-see when visiting LA.

June celebrates independent cinema at the Pasadena Film Festival and Pride Month events like parades and parties in West Hollywood. The Hollywood Bowl Summer Nights kick off, so make sure you grab your tickets in advance. Warm weather invites you to Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach before the summer crowds hit.

Weather

June is warm, with temperatures ranging from 70 F to 85 F (21 C to 29 C). This is the best month to visit Los Angeles for sunny weather, with virtually no rainfall.

Explore West Hollywood tours and attractions

July in Los Angeles

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Experience the magic of LA with Independence Day fireworks in July.

Immerse yourself in local culture with Independence Day celebrations on July 4. Enjoy the fireworks at Griffith Park and Venice Beach, and soak up the festival atmosphere. The LA County Fair brings fun for all ages, including rides, food, and exhibits. Escape the summer crowds and discover off-the-beaten-track beaches such as Malibu’s El Matador Beach and Topanga Canyon’s Topanga Beach.

Weather

July is hot, with temperatures ranging from 75 F to 90 F (24 C to 32 C). Coastal areas remain cooler due to ocean breezes. There’s typically no rain.

Best beach trips in Los Angeles

August in Los Angeles

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Summer is the perfect time to visit the Getty Villa in Los Angeles.

August is the perfect time for a seaside break in Malibu. Visit Zuma Beach, El Matador Beach, and Point Dume to cool off in the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy outdoor summer concerts at the Getty Villa, the Canyon Club, and the Hollywood Bowl. Don’t miss Fiesta La Ballona, with live music, carnival rides, and a beer and wine garden.

Weather

August is hot and sunny with temperatures ranging from 75 F to 90 F (24 C to 32 C). There is typically no rain in August.

Unmissable experiences in Malibu

September in Los Angeles

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Take advantage of Labor Day weekend deals at Disneyland California.

Labor Day Weekend is an ideal time to visit Los Angeles, with fun events for all ages. Enjoy markets, arts and culture events, or theme park deals at Disneyland and Universal Studios. September is the perfect month for wine tasting in Santa Barbara during the peak of the harvest season.

Weather

Temperatures cool slightly, from 70 F to 85 F (21 C to 29 C). Occasional light rain occurs.

Book your Santa Barbara winery tour

October in Los Angeles

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Visit LA in October for pumpkin patches and haunted attractions.

Halloween in Los Angeles brings scary family fun with Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Get ready for a maze of haunted houses and other spooky attractions. Test your mettle on the Haunted Hayride at the Griffith Park Old Zoo. Or join the Day of the Dead celebrations (Día de los Muertos), a Mexican holiday, in East LA and at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The cemetery fills with altars, dance rituals, food booths, and live music to celebrate the ancestors.

Weather

October’s weather is pleasant, with temperatures between 65 F and 80 F (18 C and 27 C). Rainfall increases slightly.

Top Halloween experiences in Los Angeles

November in Los Angeles

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Enjoy winter fun at the outdoor ice skating rink at LA Live.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in Los Angeles in late November, featuring parades and special meals at notable restaurants or the Laugh Factory. The holiday season kicks off the day after Thanksgiving with the seasonal Holiday Lights Train Ride in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Christmas Parade along Hollywood Boulevard, and an outdoor ice skating rink at LA Live. The Knott’s Berry Farm in Anaheim becomes a magical Christmas theme park, filled with holiday decorations, snow, and music.

Weather

November is cool and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 60 F to 70 F (16 C to 21 C). Rainfall increases but remains moderate.

Find the best food & drinks experiences in Los Angeles

December in Los Angeles

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Holiday shopping in LA is magical during the winter months.

The holiday season is in full swing, making December one of the best times to visit Los Angeles. Go Christmas shopping at The Grove and The Americana at Brand. You can also enjoy holiday concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall or a performance of The Nutcracker at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Visit at the end of the month to ring in the new year with parties, fireworks, and special performances at Universal Studios, Disneyland, or the Marina del Rey waterfront.

Weather

December is cool with temperatures ranging from 50 F to 65 F (10 C to 18 C). Showers are relatively frequent.

The best Christmas activities in LA

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FAQs: Best time to visit Los Angeles

What are some must-see attractions in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is home to iconic attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, and the Getty Center. Visitors can also explore the Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Each offers a unique glimpse into the culture and entertainment that define the city.

Is Los Angeles a good destination for outdoor activities?

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