Best time to go to Los Angeles

When planning what to see and do in Los Angeles, it is always good to know a bit about the weather and some other particularities of the city, so you can put together a tailor-made travel itinerary and have a dream holiday. This way, you can choose the perfect activities for the time of year you want to travel.

This doesn't mean that there are better or worse times to travel. In fact, Los Angeles has great weather, warm and dry most of the year and temperatures are generally mild in all seasons. But there are certain factors that make some dates more convenient than others, such as the influx of tourists, prices and weather, among others.

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

Los Angeles has good weather almost all year round, but if you have to choose a specific date, my recommendation is between March and May or between September and November, i.e. the best seasons would be spring and autumn. For two main reasons: the influx of tourists decreases considerably compared to the summer season and the temperatures are rather warm.

Between March and May, minimum temperatures can be as low as 14 °C, while maximum temperatures can reach up to 20 °C. In contrast, between September and November the minimum is around 16°C and the maximum is 22°C. As you can see, the weather is similar at these times of the year and, in my opinion, they are the best times to get around the city and the main attractions without getting cold or oppressed.

At this time of year, the weather will also allow you to enjoy the beach. Although in this case I recommend that you travel between September and November, as the water temperature is around 18°C, while between March and May it is 14°C.

While winter temperatures are not as harsh, averaging 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 don't recommend it as much. Another great thing about winter, though, is that you can enjoy celebrations such as Christmas in Los Angeles, with a huge amount of activities.

If you're a fan of the heat, summer can be a good time for you, as the temperature tends to rise a bit more and the weather gets hotter. However, with rising temperatures, the influx of tourists also increases and many parts of the city become a little stifling in every way.

Spring is one of the best times to visit Los Angeles for two main reasons: the temperatures are pleasant and the crowds are low compared to other times of the year.

Temperatures in March, April and May tend to be between 11°C and 23°C, and while there may be occasional showers, nothing to stop you from enjoying your holiday. In May, rainfall is almost non-existent.

It's the ideal time to get around the city, you'll be able to move from one place to another without worrying about the heat or the cold, and you won't have to deal with long queues to get into the most touristy attractions, such as Universal Studios Hollywood.

Plus, I can assure you that taking a tour of Hollywood without having to dodge the masses of tourists that walk along the city's most famous boulevard every day is priceless. You can even visit the homes of the most famous celebrities and do many other tours without being overwhelmed.

As temperatures are pleasant during these months and there are not so many tourists, you will surely be tempted to go to the sea and enjoy the coastal areas such as Santa Monica or Venice Beach, if you dare, do it! But let me warn you that the sea temperature is a little low, at around 14°C.

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

In September temperatures stay between 17°C and 28°C, so it's the perfect time to enjoy the Pacific coastline and swim in the sea, while October and November are between 12°C and 26°C.

It's also a good time to tour the city and visit the main attractions when the main tourist crowds have left. You'll have plenty of outdoor activities to do and you can take advantage of the good weather to take a helicopter tour of Los Angeles or take a boat ride and sail the calm waters in the beautiful weather.

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

A summer holiday in Los Angeles with sun, sand and a great atmosphere is a great plan. In June the weather will be mild but not excessively hot, while in July and August the temperatures can be a bit oppressive 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 18°C minimum and 29°C maximum. You'll have plenty to do to enjoy a unique summer in Los Angeles, with the festive and lively atmosphere that the crowds bring to the city and the beaches.

Theme parks are a great way to spend the summer, but be aware that they tend to be crowded with tourists and you'll have to wait in long lines. You can also take advantage of your visit to visit Warner Bros Studios. For both attractions, I recommend that you buy your tickets in advance.

Another great plan is to take advantage of the good weather to get to know the different coastal areas with a tour from Los Angeles or on your own, you can visit Malibu, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and much more.

Plus, all that party atmosphere carries over into the summer nights, which have a unique style and intensity that's so typical of Los Angeles. Here is a guide to night-time activities to enjoy the city even at night.

Last but not least, I would like to mention a fundamental fact: the high season for tourism 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.

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

Also, it's important to know that Los Angeles is not one of those cities where there's not much to do in winter - quite the opposite. From the end of November onwards, the city is flooded with a particular festive climate and becomes very picturesque and beautiful to walk around. So, just make sure you have an umbrella handy and you're all set to enjoy Los Angeles in winter.

You'll have plenty of activities and attractions to see and unique things to do. Here's a guide to things to see and do in Los Angeles in winter. From ice skating, to all kinds of different events to celebrate important dates like Thanksgiving, Independence Day, Christmas in Los Angeles or New Year's Eve. The city's streets and major landmarks are dressed in sparkling lights and decorations abound.

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

I've already told you a bit 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's a table with the facts about the different times of the year so you can better plan your trip.