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The Best Time to Travel to Southern California

Best Time to Go to Southern California

Of all of the places that I’ve been, nowhere can compete with Southern California. As soon as you set foot in the Golden State, you’ll see why it’s one of the most beloved travel hot spots in the world.

Whether you come for winter surfing, summer festivals, or spring stargazing, Southern California is a dream destination 365 days a year.

Check out my favorite highlights & the best time to go to Southern California!

Summer in Santa Monica

Summer in Southern California

Months: June to September

Southern California is at its peak in the summer. The weather is perfect with overnight lows near the coast in the mid-60s and daytime highs in the mid-80s. Festival season is in full swing and you can find a celebration for everything under the sun.

Indulge your decadent side at the BBQ & Beer Festival in Santa Clarita then get your heart racing at the always exciting Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles. Want insight into the local culture of So Cal? Get to the San Diego Festival of the Arts in mid-June.

Of course, one of my favorite things to do in Southern California in the summer is to unwind at the beach. I absolutely adore the über chic Laguna Beach, the chill El Matador, the world famous Venice Beach, and the ultrafun Santa Monica Pier.

Kona Kai Resort, San Diego

Fall in Southern California

Months: October & November

One of the things I love the most about Southern California is that you can travel the world without leaving city limits. Want to party it up for Oktoberfest? Places like the Standard Biergarten, Steingarten LA, Verdugo, or any one of the countless German-loving bars around LA can compete with the greatest parties in Deutschland.

Another great thing to do in Southern California in the fall is to check out the countless food festivals. Two of my top picks are the California Lemon Festival in Goleta in October and the Taste of Downtown in San Diego in early September.

If you are in California for Halloween, you’re in for a treat!

Whether you want a family-friendly festival or a heart-stopping haunted tour, there are countless options from San Diego up to Los Angeles. If you are ready for a truly hair-raising experience, check out the Queen Mary Dark Harbor.

Behind Hollywood Sign

Winter in Southern California

Months: December to February

California has the best weather in the United States so don’t let winter put you off visiting. Much of Southern California has temps ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. Although it’s not bikini weather, it’s usually very mild and great for exploring.

While Northern California may have incredible skiing, the south is a surfing paradise. For beginners, head to Manhattan Beach or Malibu Beach. If you’ve got a bit of experience under your belt, check out La Jolla Shores or Rincon. For the true pros, you’ll be blown away by the waves at Trestles and Blacks Beach San Diego.

Before you head inland, be sure to go whale watching too! More than 25,000 California grey whales surround the shores of San Diego from mid-December to mid-March.

Of course, you can’t go to Southern California without indulging in your Hollywood dreams. Film festival season kicks off with the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. It’s an insider favorite and a must-see for any film buff.

Paragliding in Torrey Pines San Diego

Spring in Southern California

Months: March to May

Spring is definitely one of the best times to visit Southern California. The tourists haven’t taken over yet and the prices are still lower than you’ll see them during the summer season.

Fellow culture vultures have got to get in on Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Live, which takes place across Los Angeles during mid-March and gives you free admission to countless museums.

Festival season starts early here with Coachella and Stagecoach Country Music Festival taking place inland of LA in April. Less famous, but equally amazing, is the Rooftop Cinema festival. Held throughout April, the festival screens classic movies on rooftops all over Hollywood.

Don’t miss Fiesta Old Town’s Cinco de Mayo either! This three-day celebration in San Diego is such a colorful, amazing experience.

READ NEXT: The Girl’s Guide to a California Coast Road Trip

 

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    1. Catherine

      Great blog! Glad I discovered this. We called a whale conservancy in Long Beach to find out the best city to see whales during our stay. We were told Santa Barbara at that time in late June. We booked with Condor Express in Santa Barbara and saw the elusive blue whale,huge pods of dolphins, seals and caves. Spectacular. Surprisingly, we didn’t get sea sick probably due to the structure of the boat. It was my second-choice city for whales, my first being Dave’s in Dana Point but we opted for Santa Barbara instead and it didn’t disappoint. That was in 2009. In 2017, we went to Long Beach for the harbor Breeze whale cruise and it was mostly dolphins with a whale in the distance and nearly everyone on that boat got sick. Puking everywhere.

      May 21, 2018 at 7:24 am · Reply

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    This was truly such a luxurious end to our trip, I wish we could have extended it just so we could enjoy more time at this fantastic property.

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    The most luxurious family-friendly stay at Four Seasons Boston @fsboston 🏢 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If you’ve been following along, you know we recently took a trip through New England for leaf-peeing and sightseeing amidst the crisp, Autumn foliage. We concluded our 10-day roadtrip at the amazing Four Seasons property in the historic city of Boston, Massachusetts. Four Seasons is known for their luxury and incredible service, but they really kick things up a notch for families here: 🧸 The Mystery Toy Closet: As part of the VIK experience (aka Very Important Kid Experience), guests are given a large golden key that grants access to an AMAZING toy closet behind the front desk. Filled with trinkets like rubber ducks, slinkys, coloring books, and–Ollie’s favorite–wiggly frogs, this was SUCH an amazing and one-of-a-kind treat to experience. 🍭 The Vault: One of the newer features to the Four Seasons Boston: a small room on each guest floor filled with complimentary snacks, candy, and beverages to grab-and-go! 🛎️ Amenities: Once again, Four Seasons has outdone itself with its amazing service. This city retreat offers a complimentary coffee bar for guests (and hot chocolate for the little ones), 24-hour gym, a pool with a fantastic view, a world-class spa, and even a morning run club to get your Boston marathon fix in! 🦞 The Food: Whether it’s in-room dining you’re after, quaint tea service in-between sight-seeing, or you want to experience New England’s famous seafood, Four Seasons treats your tastebuds with exquisite table-side service at their restaurant, Coterie. This was truly such a luxurious end to our trip, I wish we could have extended it just so we could enjoy more time at this fantastic property. A huge thank you to @fsboston for hosting us on our dream trip to New England and concluding our stay with memories that will last a LIFETIME! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #fourseasons #boston #familytravel #newengland

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    ✨ Escape to luxury without the overnight price tag! ✨ Did you know you can enjoy five-star resort amenities without staying the night? Thanks to @ResortPass, I booked a dreamy daycation at a local luxury hotel in San Diego. From poolside lounging to world-class spa facilities (hello, dry sauna and cold plunge 🧖‍♀️), I had a self-care day to remember—for a fraction of the price. Whether you’re upgrading a layover, planning a day out on your next trip, or just treating yourself, ResortPass makes it easy to get more vacation for less starting at just $10/person. Use my code RPKIKI50 for $50 off $200+ before 12/3! #ad

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    BLACK FRIDAY DEAL! You can save 30% or MORE on select hotels—read below! #ExpediaAmbassador 🚨 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @Expedia is having a crazy Black Friday sale you HAVE to jump on! If you sign up for One Key, you can save 30% or MORE on select hotels when you book from November 22nd to December 4, 2024 (so long as you travel before December 15, 2025).” You know I LOVE a good hotel and have been using Expedia for years to get great deals on some of the best luxury stays around the world. New Year’s is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start planning your dream trip — Expedia’s black Friday sale includes hotels all over the world. For some of my favorite properties, check out the link in my bio for a collection of my bucket list luxury properties that are currently on sale! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• If you’re planning an epic trip in 2025, do not walk, FLY to this Black Friday Sale. Disclaimer: Book by 12/4/24 11:59pm in hotel property local time. Stay between 11/21-12/15/25. Prices are available to Expedia app users and One Key members. Limited availability, blackout periods may apply.
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