See Also
• Some of my preferred places to stay in Los Angeles.
• My Favorite Locations to Lodge in Santa Barbara
• My Favorite Places to Stay in San Francisco
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- Web location: kuzina.gr
• ‧ My Favorite Lodging in Palm Springs
Best Time for California – My Recommendations
- Prime Time for California Beaches: May to October, August and September are most suitable (chiefly southern California)
- The best time to save money and avoid large crowds is typically the 2 or 3 weeks in late November/early December following Thanksgiving holiday.
- Best time to visit San Diego: September and October
- Prime Time to Visit Los Angeles: May, June, late August, September, and October
- Prime Seasons to Explore Santa Barbara: May, June, September, and October
- Prime Time to Go to San Francisco: September and October
- Best Time to Go to Palm Springs: February to April, and September to November
- Ideal Time to Visit the Wine Regions of Napa and Sonoma: September to November, and March to May
- Best Time to Visit Disneyland: Weekdays in January, February, November, and early December
- Booking.com – the best website for booking lodging in California
When is the best time to go to California
Having resided in multiple cities across California and traveled extensively throughout the state each month, in my view September and October are ideal times to experience California as they avoid fog and summer crowds, and the temperature is suitable for beach activities, sightseeing, or attending festivals.
One of the most appealing aspects of California is that it’s a great destination anytime throughout the year. Naturally, what one is searching for still depends on the time period. If sunbathing, swimming, and the quintessential California beach atmosphere is desired, then disappointment will be felt from November through April – even in Southern California.
The climate of Southern California still permits sunny and warm conditions (mid-70s) during the winter months but ocean water temperatures remain frigid. Consider it more as a time to run along the shoreline and fly kites than to swim and sunbathe. If spending time at the beach forms part of your vacation agenda then May through October offers the best prospects.
Northern California is at its finest from late April to early November.
The months of December, January and February generally provide the best conditions for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing.
There are also regional factors to consider, as San Diego can experience heavy fog for much of May and June, sometimes making the beaches a cooler destination.
San Francisco gets consistent fog from early July until late August. Though nearby Marin, Berkeley, Oakland, and the Sonoma and Napa wine counties will be sunny and hot.
While much of California experiences sweltering summer heat, Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe benefit from cooler temperatures during that season and colder weather in winter. Freezing conditions have occurred in Yosemite in every calendar month.
While acknowledging the previous points, if forced to choose one month as best for visiting, I would select September. The crowds have decreased from the summer peak, the weather remains warm, and the fog has cleared from both San Francisco and San Diego.
The incredibly famous recreational parks Walt Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are densely inhabited among Memorial Day and Labor Day however the crowds drop dramatically in September and still more in October.
September also hosts several excellent festivals and fairs, such as the Los Angeles County Fair, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Sausalito Art Festival, and (my preferred option) the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Music Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
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