When to Visit California

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Back to CaliforniaWhen to Go

Climate -- California's climate is so varied that it's impossible to generalize about the state as a whole.

San Francisco's temperate marine climate means relatively mild weather year-round. In summer, temperatures rarely top 70?F (21?C; pack sweaters, even in Aug), and the city's famous fog rolls in most mornings and evenings. In winter the mercury seldom falls below freezing, and snow is almost unheard of. Because of the fog, summer rarely sees more than a few hot days in a row. Head a few miles inland, though, and it's likely to be clear and hot.

The Central Coast shares San Francisco's climate, although it gets warmer as you get farther south. Seasonal changes are less pronounced south of San Luis Obispo, where temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The Northern Coast is rainier and foggier; winters tend to be mild but wet.

Summers are refreshingly cool around Lake Tahoe and in the Shasta Cascades -- perfect for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities and a popular escape for residents of the sweltering deserts and valleys who are looking to beat the heat. Skiers flock to this area for terrific snowfall from late November to early April.

Southern California -- including Los Angeles and San Diego -- is usually much warmer than the Bay Area, and it gets significantly more sun. Even in winter, daytime temperatures regularly reach into the 60s (15?C-20?C) and warmer. Summers can be stifling inland, but Southern California's coastal communities are always comfortable. The area's limited rainfall is generally seen between December and mid-April, and is rarely intense enough to be more than a slight inconvenience. It's possible to sunbathe throughout the year, but only die-hard enthusiasts and wet-suited surfers venture into the ocean in winter. The water is warmest in summer and fall, but even then, the Pacific is too chilly for many.

The deserts, including Palm Springs and the desert national parks, are sizzling hot in summer; temperatures regularly top 100?F (38?C). Winter is the time to visit the desert resorts (and remember, it gets surprisingly cold at night in the desert).

Avoiding the Crowds -- The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the height of the tourism season virtually everywhere -- except for desert areas like Palm Springs and Death Valley, where sizzling temperatures keep all but the hardiest bargain hunters away. California's pleasant summer weather (with relatively low humidity) has a lot to do with these numbers, but the season is also popular simply because that's when most people, especially families with kids, get to take that precious vacation time. So, naturally, prices are highest between Memorial Day (late May) and Labor Day (early Sept) in much of the state, and can fall dramatically outside of that period -- exceptions to this rule include the aforementioned deserts and winter ski resorts. Insider tip: Californians know the best time to travel the state is autumn. That's roughly from late September to early December, when crowds drop off, "shoulder season" rates kick in, and before winter rains loom on the horizon.