Los Angeles

Here's the thing about Los Angeles that nobody tells you: the best time to visit isn't summer. Everyone assumes June means beach perfection, but you'll be fighting crowds in Venice and paying double for everything. The real sweet spot? March through May—when the city actually feels livable. Highs hover around 24–25°C (75–77°F), you're getting 10+ hours of daily sunshine, and the light has that golden-hour quality all afternoon. The annual rainfall of 404mm has mostly cleared by March, so you're not chasing puddles either.

Each month in this window feels genuinely different. March is still crisp at dawn—sometimes you'll see a light jacket needed—but the wildflower blooms in the hills are stunning, and locals are just emerging from winter routines, so restaurants and galleries feel less like tourist traps. April is probably the Goldilocks month: warm enough to ditch layers by noon, cool enough that you're not melting on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. May kicks into high gear—water temps creep up enough for actual swimming, and the outdoor concert season starts firing up. By June, you're teetering on the edge; it's warm (around 27°C / 81°F) but summer break hasn't quite hit, so there's still breathing room. After June, forget it—July and August are brutal tourist stampedes, prices triple, and the heat can feel oppressive inland.

What about months to avoid? Late summer (August–September) is the real trap. Not just because of crowds, but because it's weirdly hot for LA—mid-to-high 20s°C (high 70s–80s°F)—and the marine layer doesn't burn off until afternoon. Winter (December–February) isn't terrible, but it's unpredictable; you might get perfect 20°C (68°F) days or cold snaps with actual rain. September–October can surprise you with lingering heat and occasional fire-season air quality issues.

Looking at 2026 specifically: LA's climate has been trending slightly warmer over the past decade, so those March–May windows are arriving a touch earlier and staying pleasant a bit longer. The rainfall pattern remains sparse year-round—that 404mm annual average is genuinely dry—so you're not gambling on weather disruptions if you book spring. If you're flexible, April and early May are where I'd lock in dates.