The Worst (And Best!) Times to Visit Los Angeles

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Are you thinking of visiting Los Angeles? With its long sunny days, unique cultural attractions, and rich nightlife experiences, it’s no wonder why the City of Angels continually draws in throngs of tourists each year. But to make sure that your stay in LA goes as smoothly as possible — timing your visit is key. So when should you jet off on your next journey to southern California? Read on for a full rundown of the worst times to visit Los Angeles AND the best times to be in LA!

What Is Off-Season in California?

Off-season in California is typically from November to February. Many travelers stay away, as it’s often when rain and chilly ocean breezes can be expected. On-season is during the summer months of May to September when the weather is warmest and students are on break.

The good news is that the off-season can be a great time for locals and visitors to take a discounted vacation without the crowds. Not only are hotels more affordable, but the scenery at places like Santa Barbara or Big Sur can be especially breathtaking in winter months.

What Is the Worst Time of Year to Visit Los Angeles?

While it is truly subjective and depends on whether you are trying to avoid bad weather or crowds, the consensus on the worst time of year to visit Los Angeles is from June through August when the temperatures are hot and crowds and prices skyrocket.

Luckily, southern California has a relatively mild and pleasant climate year-round, so there is really not a horrible time to visit weather-wise.

However, the times of year to avoid, if possible, are when the weather is at its worst (cold and rainy) from January to March or when the crowds are heaviest from the end of May through mid-September during summer and peak tourist season.

The crowds can be quite overwhelming in Los Angeles over the summer. Traffic on the freeways and around town increases and there is far less parking (often no parking if you don’t arrive early enough) at popular locations such as the beaches, attractions, and restaurants. Plus, prices on everything from accommodation to Ubers and events will also increase.

What Is the Coldest Month in Los Angeles?

December is the coldest month in Los Angeles (followed closely by January). The daily high in December averages 67°F (20°C) and the low is 48°F (9°C).

The winter can even bring snow to the mountains around LA within easy driving distance. For those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding, check out the best spots around southern California for snow by clicking below.

When Is the Rainy Season in Los Angeles?

The rainy season in Los Angeles is usually from November to mid-April, but the heaviest rainfall most often happens from December through February.

Worst Time of Day to Visit and Drive to Los Angeles

Rush hour in Los Angeles (when traffic is at its heaviest) happens from about 7am to 10am in the mornings and from 4pm to 7pm in the evenings.

Typically, it is best to try and time your drive TO Los Angeles for either very early morning or late at night. When driving around LA, aim for the early afternoon or late at night.

During the summer, traffic can be a bit more sporadic and it tends to be more even throughout the day. More people are on vacation so the usual rush hour work traffic isn’t as bad, but more tourists flock to LA meaning traffic as a whole increases throughout the day.

BEST Times of Year to Visit Los Angeles

Spring and Fall are the best times of year to visit LA. Both times of year have perfectly pleasant, warm weather and the crowds have not settled in yet for summer or for winter break.

What Is the Best Month to Go to Los Angeles?

April or October are the best months to visit Los Angeles.

What Is the Cheapest Month to Visit California?

January. This month falls in California’s off-season, meaning you will be able to save some money with cheaper flights, accommodation, and attractions.

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Best Time to Visit Los Angeles Weather Wise

For those looking for hot and dry weather, the summer months of July through September will be your best bet. For those who enjoy mild weather, March through May are excellent months to be in LA.

June is surprisingly not a great month to visit Los Angeles. While the weather is starting to warm up, we get a lot of grey days that locals refer to as “June Gloom.”

>>> RELATED POST: The Best Weather in California: 17 Best Cities to Visit

Best Time to Visit Los Angeles Beaches

October. The weather has been warm all summer, meaning the ocean water temperature has had time to rise to a very comfortable level (average of 66°F in October vs. 58°F in February).

The weather also tends to be warm in October while cooling off from the more extreme heat of the dead of summer. The daily high averages 79°F (26°C) and the low averages 60°F (15.5°C).

In October, the crowds have thinned out with kids going back to school, so the beaches are much easier to park at and enjoy.

October is my favorite month of the year to surf in Los Angeles! Not only are the temperature and crowds ideal, but the waves are also some of the best at this time of year as well.

>>> RELATED POSTS:
A Guide to Surfing in Los Angeles: 21 Best Surf Spots!
Best California Winter Beaches

How Many Days Do You Need to See Los Angeles?

How much of a city person are you? Those who love cities and doing things like visiting museums, seeing tourist sites, and spending time on epic rooftop bars or at events will want more time visiting Los Angeles.

About one week in Los Angeles would allow you plenty of time to get a good taste. If you plan on using LA as a day base and taking trips around southern California, 2 weeks is a better time frame.

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For those who don’t typically enjoy spending much time in cities, 2-3 days is ideal for you to see the best of LA while giving you plenty of time to explore the many other incredible natural attractions and smaller cities around California.

Month-By-Month Comparison of the Worst & Best Times to Visit LA

JANUARY

Average High Temperature: 68°F
Average Low Temperature: 49°F

BEST FOR: Low crowds, cheapest month to visit California

WORST FOR: Weather – one of the colder months, not as many events happening

>>> RELATED POST: 15 Best Places to Visit in California in January

FEBRUARY

Average High Temperature: 69°F
Average Low Temperature: 51°F

BEST FOR: Low crowds, one of the cheaper months to visit California

WORST FOR: Weather, one of the colder months

>>> RELATED POST: Best Hollywood Tours From Santa Monica

MARCH

Average High Temperature: 70°F
Average Low Temperature: 52°F

BEST FOR: Weather is warming up and spring flowers are starting to bloom

WORST FOR: Potential spring break crowds

APRIL

Average High Temperature: 73°F
Average Low Temperature: 55°F

BEST FOR: Weather is warming up and spring flowers are starting to bloom

WORST FOR: Potential spring break crowds

MAY

Average High Temperature: 74°F
Average Low Temperature: 58°F

BEST FOR: Weather is pleasant and mild

WORST FOR: Students start to get out of school for the summer, some potential for crowds

JUNE

Average High Temperature: 79°F
Average Low Temperature: 62°F

BEST FOR: Weather is warming up, summer events start to happen

WORST FOR: Crowds – students are out of school, “June Gloom” grey days

JULY

Average High Temperature: 83°F
Average Low Temperature: 65°F

BEST FOR: Hot weather, swimming at the beaches, 4th of July celebrations

WORST FOR: Crowds are at their peak

AUGUST

Average High Temperature: 85°F
Average Low Temperature: 66°F

BEST FOR: Hot weather, summer festivals

WORST FOR: Crowds are at their peak, it can get uncomfortably hot at mid-day

SEPTEMBER

Average High Temperature: 83°F
Average Low Temperature: 65°F

BEST FOR: Hot weather but students are starting to go back to school, crowds are thinning

WORST FOR: Still some summer crowds

OCTOBER

Average High Temperature: 79°F
Average Low Temperature: 60°F

BEST FOR: Warm weather and warm ocean water

WORST FOR: Weather can vary drastically between hot days and cool ones

NOVEMBER

Average High Temperature: 73°F
Average Low Temperature: 53°F

BEST FOR: Weather is starting to cool down

WORST FOR: Potential for rain

DECEMBER

Average High Temperature: 68°F
Average Low Temperature: 49°F

BEST FOR: Holiday events and festivals

WORST FOR: Colder weather and potential for rain, some crowds with holiday vacationers

CONCLUSION: Worst Time to Visit Los Angeles

With beautiful sunny weather year-round, Los Angeles can be a great vacation destination at any time of the year. However, it’s important to consider the time of year when visiting to make sure that your experience is pleasant and enjoyable. Many factors such as beach crowds, traffic, rain, and heat need to be taken into consideration before booking a trip.

During the summer months of June-September, you are likely to encounter high temperatures along with increased traffic and crowds, which can detract from the overall experience. For those looking for an enjoyable, yet slightly more affordable trip to Los Angeles, October and November or April and May could be fantastic options.

Whatever time of year you choose to travel, you are sure to have plenty to do to make for an excellent trip to southern California!

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