Find out month-by-month temperatures, weather and the best time to visit California. But I already anticipate that California is a great place to visit at any time of the year. The Golden State has a lot to offer for everyone, and you are guaranteed to enjoy your trip no matter what time you visit.
But certain activities or attractions are best enjoyed at certain times of the year, especially if you want to avoid peak tourism times or take advantage of certain types of weather.
Tip: the best time of year to visit is in spring in April and autumn in September or October, as it won't be as crowded, and the weather will still be very pleasant.
If you like warm weather, Pal Springs has the hottest temperatures during the summer, plus lots of sunshine in the northern and southern cities between June and September.
If you're thinking of visiting California but don't know when to go, here are recommendations for each month:
california in january
California in January enjoys fairly cool weather, with an average high temperature of 15°C and an average low of -5°C.
This will vary across the state, with weather generally more Pleasant in the south and temperatures lower in the north, particularly in the mountains.
Chances of rain also vary, but most places will see at least several days of weather. heavy and wet or even snow.
Most areas of California experience the low season for tourism in January, with the exception of snowy areas like Lake Tahoe. Events like the Palm Springs International Film Festival bring people to the Los Angeles area, and Joshua Tree National Park will start to see more crowds during this month.
Visiting California in January offers an abundance of great attractions to explore. Head to Big Bear Lake, a mountain resort perfect for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Check out the Palm Springs Cable Car, where you can catch the most amazing views of the mountain and do some winter activities. Monte Laguna is also a great time to visit in January, especially if you're into adventure activities.
california in february
In February, California weather is generally wet, with cooler temperatures leading to fewer crowds. Daytime temperatures average highs of around 15°C across the state, with lows between 8°C and 11°C. There is more rain in February than at the beginning of the year, but there is still plenty of sunshine and dry weather to balance it out.
February it's low season in most parts of California unless you are visiting Lake Tahoe, which is usually full of skiers.
visit Chinatown in San Francisco to witness the lively Lunar New Year celebration or soak up as much sun as possible this time of year by staying in Palm Springs.
February is also a great month to explore California's wildlife. You can watch whales in Point Reyes National Seashore, see the elephant seals in White Stones or watch the monarch butterflies flit along the coast between Medocino and San Diego.
california in march
March marks the decline of California's cold winter weather and welcomes the arrival of a dry and hot summer🇧🇷 There are still fewer tourists this time around than later in the year, making it an excellent time to explore the Golden State.
The desert areas will start to warm up in March, marking the end of the tourist season in these parts of California. Elsewhere, the average high temperature will be between 16°C and 19°C, with typical lows around 9°C.
March is the best time of the year to visit the south from California, which enjoys a very pleasant climate while the snow is melting and the flowers are beginning to bloom in the valleys.
However, popular spring break destinations such as Disneyland and Yosemite, tend to get very crowded during this time, so exercise caution when booking a trip to one of the state's most popular tourist attractions.
california in april
Depending on which areas you visit, April weather in California is highly variable.
The temperature can get incredibly hot in the desert, reaching 31ºC in Palm Springs and the surrounding desert.
But in San Francisco and some other northern regions, the temperature averages 17°C, with a good chance of rain and even frost and ice in high altitude areas.
When visiting California in April, be aware of the tourist crowds in spring break. The state is full of events throughout the month to suit all tastes, whether you're attending music festivals, cultural activities, exploring national parks and much more.
O most famous festival one you can witness in California this month is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, famous for its celebrity attendees.
April is also the best time to visit the california national parks, where you can camp or go hiking. But be sure to pack layers to keep you warm, as temperatures in Yosemite or Joshua Tree still occasionally drop to freezing at night.
california in may
California enjoys daytime temperatures quite hot in May, although that depends on which part of the state you plan on visiting.
At times, Lake Tahoe can still see lows of 3°C, while Death Valley can get extremely hot, going over 38°C.
O Pacific Ocean will start to warm up in spring, but some people will still find it too cold to swim, although the beaches along the coast are still busy.
Being close to the Mexican border means that California becomes especially festive in May due to the Cinco de Mayo. People will also be flocking to the beach towns for the summer weekend. memorial day, so expect the beaches to be crowded.
In May, some of the best things to do in California are whale watching and witnessing the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, which is best observed away from crowded cities like Lake Shasta and Joshua Tree. National parks like Joshua Tree and Yosemite will have a large number of visitors during this time, so be prepared to see a lot of other travelers.
california in june
In June, California weather ranges from comfortably warm to very hot during the day in most places, ranging from 24°C to 40°C in some parts of the desert. The chances of rain are very low, so you can be sure that you will have warm and sunny weather almost wherever you are.
June is the best time to visit the beaches and mountains of California and drink enough of the state's brilliant outdoor landscape.
California's famous national parks, including Yosemite, tend to see their biggest crowds in June, so if you're after a solo hike, this might not be the best time to visit.
June is also the best time to visit California to buy local fruit, so if you get the chance, check out the many farmers markets and sample the state's freshest produce.
San Francisco hosts the world-famous pride parades and events dedicated to people LGBTQ at the end of June: San Francisco Pride, so expect the city to be incredibly busy around this time.
Popular attractions like Disneyland will also be busy this month, with many families arriving for their summer break ahead of the real peak in July and August.
california in july
July is the hottest and driest month in California, especially in the desert and in the southern and central areas of the state, with temperatures generally averaging around 40°C.
So, when visiting California in July, head to coastal areas to escape the intense heat and enjoy much more bearable highs of 29°C in Los Angeles and 19°C in San Francisco.
In July, the best things to do in California will depend on which area you visit. In Northern California, check out their farms and visit the rodeo in Salinas or join the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
If you're visiting Southern California in July, head to the beach to soak up as much sun as possible on the sand in places like Santa Monica.
Don't miss the chance to catch beach events like the US Open in Huntington Beach, where world-famous surfers compete in the waves.
July is peak season for tourists visiting California's national parks. If you want to explore a national park in July, it's best to go to Kings Canyon National Park, as it has a smaller crowd than Yosemite.
california in august
Similar to July, most areas of California are hot and dry in August. It's the height of summer, and many places have the heaviest influx of tourists all year round, who arrive to make the most of the heat and the minuscule chance of rain.
August is the best time to visit the wineries of california, so most visitors to the state head to the Napa and Sonoma valleys.
Most wineries start picking grapes in August through October, so it's a great time to sample the first products of the season and soak up the atmosphere of these upscale areas of California.
Many school districts across North America resume classes in mid-August, so popular vacation spots like Disneyland will have less crowds as the month ends.
Campgrounds, forests and lakes will also be quieter right now, but remember that August is when wildfires usually start. The safest plan, therefore, is to avoid the parks and stay close to the beaches.
california in september
At temperatures start to drop in California in September, making this month the turning point for weather in the state.
Daytime high temperatures hover around 21°C in most parts of the state, occasionally reaching 20°C on sunny days and generally dropping to around 14°C at night.
September is seen by many as the best time of year to visit California, particularly during the mid to late months when tourism levels are lower, but the climate is still relatively hot and dry.
With Labor Day activities starting in September and the first celebrations of Halloween Wrapping up, this month is also one of the most action-packed times to visit California.
In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Fair, considered one of the largest municipal fairs in the state. Late September is also the best time to visit Disneyland California, as preparation for Halloween begins and you'll find the famous theme park transformed into holiday themes with festive and spooky decorations throughout.
california in october
October is one of the best times to visit California if you don't like extreme heat, with comfortable daytime temperatures around 18°C to 20°C in most places.
Locations at higher altitudes will be cooler, especially at night and in the early morning.
When visiting California in October, be on the lookout for wildfires as they are common at this time of year.
The best thing to do in California in October is to attend fun Halloween across the state🇧🇷 Visiting Disneyland is also fun, as the park will be decorated with Halloween fun and fall-themed decor. For classic seasonal experiences, visit a pumpkin patch or celebrate Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with the locals.
california in november
Temperatures drop across California in November when the rainy season begins. Towards the end of the month, you should expect light rain most days, but temperatures will stay around 17°C in most places, so it won't be too cold to spend a lot of time outdoors.
THE Whale watching is a very popular activity in California in November, where you can witness gray whales migrating south towards Mexico. November is also a great time to watch football and witness fun Thanksgiving celebrations across the state.
During the week of Thanksgiving, many people will be traveling to visit families, which can make transport systems very busy, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit earlier in the month.
california in december
There are so many brilliant things to do in California in December. From enjoying the latest surf season on Southern California beaches to skiing in the mountains, December is definitely one of the best times of year to visit California if you're looking for a variety of things to do.
While the weather varies depending on which part of the state you visit, California generally enjoys a comfortable temperature throughout December.
Daytime averages hover around 15°C, dropping to near-freezing in the northern areas of the state and getting warmer in the south.
December is quite a time rainy year, so be prepared for regular downpours in most parts of the state.
Many Californian cities will be at their prettiest in December, with grand buildings and streets decorated with colorful decorations for the Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations.
go to San Diego to participate in the city's festive Christmas celebrations, watch the Rose Parade in Pasadena, spend an evening at Olvera Street in Los Angeles to celebrate Christmas or take a trip to Disneyland to enjoy the park's many festive events.
Best time to visit California
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