Best time to visit California

The best time to visit California is June to September, judged across 22 places; January is its weakest month.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · North America · 22 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

California month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januarynot its best9 wet days · 15°C highs · best Jun–SepMammoth Lakes, Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park
Februarygoodwhale season · 15°C highsMammoth Lakes, Los Angeles, Pinnacles National Park
Marchgoodwhale season · 15°C highs · 10 h sunDeath Valley National Park, Los Angeles, Pinnacles National Park
Aprilgoodwhale season · 4 wet days · 18°C highsDeath Valley National Park, Los Angeles, Pinnacles National Park
Maygood2 wet days · 18°C highs · 13 h sunLos Angeles, Napa, Reno
Junein seasonbarely a wet day · 22°C highs · 13 h sunLassen Volcanic National Park, Redwood National Park, South Lake Tahoe
Julyin seasonbarely a wet day · 25°C highs · 13 h sunRedwood National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, San Francisco
Augustin seasonbarely a wet day · 25°C highs · 12 h sunKings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, San Francisco
Septemberin seasonbarely a wet day · 23°C highs · 11 h sunSan Francisco, South Lake Tahoe, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Octobergood2 wet days · 21°C highs · 10 h sunDeath Valley National Park, Sacramento, San Francisco
Novembergood18°C highsLos Angeles, Pinnacles National Park, Death Valley National Park
Decembernot its best7 wet days · 15°C highs · best Jun–SepMammoth Lakes, Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 22 places in California

California — FAQ

When is the best time to visit California?
June to September. In September: barely a wet day · 23°C highs · 11 h sun.
When is the low season in California?
California has no month that falls far below the rest of its year; January is the weakest (9 wet days · 15°C highs · best Jun–Sep).
Which months are in season in California?
June to September — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.