When should you visit Los Angeles?

Thanks to its miles of beaches, palm-lined boulevards and exciting experiences, Los Angeles draws visitors every week of the year.

LA’s sunshine famously lasts all year long, too – so while the seasonal weather here doesn’t change all that much, each period does bring its own magic. In spring, everything blooms, while the summer ushers in a fun, carefree energy. A different mood sets in come fall, as awards season launches and the holidays approach, while the winter months bring cultural events galore (and, yes, even a little rain).

So when is the best time to visit? Truly, the city always delights, and there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit LA. Whether you're looking to soak in the sunshine, skip the crowds or stick to a tighter budget, we can help you choose the right timeframe for your trip.

March to May is the best time for perfect weather and fewer crowds

Spring in Los Angeles brings comfortable temperatures, blooming landscapes and longer days. Daily highs hover around 75°F, lows rarely fall below 45°F and the chance of showers is rare.

March to May draws fewer crowds to the city, making it a popular and more convenient time to soak in its many attractions. Whale watching is a favored choice for marine enthusiasts: spring sees 20,000 gray whales travel via Los Angeles from the Arctic to their breeding and calving grounds in Baja California. Many tour operators can help you witness this firsthand, particularly in Long Beach and Orange County.

Those who love the sights of fresh blooms should visit Descanso Gardens. While open year-round, this 150-acre botanical playground comes alive with color in spring, as the tulips, camellias, lilacs, azaleas and roses all burst into bloom.

Springtime also welcomes festival season, with many LA locals and visitors in town ahead of music festivals Coachella and Stagecoach. While the extravaganzas take place in the Californian desert near Palm Springs, LA acts as a home base for out-of-towners.

But it’s not all sunshine: the May Gray and June Gloom refer to the overcast and foggy conditions seen some mornings during these months. Yet these conditions have an upside, for the lack of bright sun makes outdoor activities like hiking more comfortable (just be sure to wear layers). What’s more, the sky typically clears over the course of the day, with the sun breaking through by afternoon.

June to August is the high season and the best time for beach lovers

The sun is shining, and the waves are calling. For travelers looking to experience that SoCal beach life, summer is the best time to visit. Iconic beach districts like Santa Monica, Venice and Manhattan Beach front dozens of miles of largely contiguous beaches that welcome 50 million visitors annually. If you’re set to lie out on the sand, bring plenty of sunscreen, water and a beach umbrella, as temperatures average around 85°F and UV index ratings frequently rank extreme.

From the ever-colorful and glorious LA Pride in June to Independence Day on July 4, summer in LA is when the city comes alive. Outdoor cinemas and summer concerts are also in full swing as locals and tourists soak in the longer days and warmer nights. The Hollywood Bowl is a great place to experience an LA summer night, with shows most evenings in the historic alfresco amphitheater.

Bear in mind, though, that with endless events and activities, school holidays and warm weather in full force, LA crowds, long lines, heavy traffic and high prices all peak in the summer months.

September to November is the best time for budget travelers

If you’re on a budget, the off-peak months from September to November are a great time to visit LA. Most kids are back at school, the summer rush has subsided and the weather stays comfortably warm.

Fall’s packed event schedules includes such annual standbys as the DTLA Film Festival, and, for car lovers, the LA Auto Show. If you love scary season, Universal Studios puts on its must-visit Halloween Horror Nights.

Budget vacationers should choose their travel dates wisely. While fall prices are generally ideal, booking too early may still see you faced with summer peak-season prices. Yet booking too late in the season gets you close to the holidays – in particular, Thanksgiving (the last Thursday of November) is one of the most expensive times to travel in the USA.

December to February is the best time for culture enthusiasts

The months of December to February are ideal for indoor attractions like museums, galleries and theaters – without the crowds. With the holiday season also in full force, finery in neighborhoods and commercial developments (we love the displays on Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills and at The Grove) is an attraction in itself. Come New Year's Day, Pasadena puts on its annual Rose Parade, which features some 45 incredible rose-covered floats.

Temperatures stay pretty consistent, with some days still reaching above 72°F (no snow here). And though rain doesn’t fall often in LA, when it does, it’s typically during January and February. (Since it’s so rare, some indoor-outdoor restaurants, bars and attractions do close until the sun returns.) Note that prices also rise from mid-December to early January for the holiday season.