The Best Time to Visit Long Beach (When to Go, By a Local)

👉 Jump to:Best Time to Visit Long Beach | Travel Seasons | Weather & Climate | FAQ

The best time to visit Long Beach is June through October, when the weather and water are warm. Long Beach has activities and events year-round and has mild winters, so you can enjoy the city anytime.

But when to visit Long Beach depends quite a bit on what you’d like to do in Long Beach during your stay. Whether you want to visit for a music festival or racing event, or want to maximize your time relaxing on the beach, I’m here to help you figure out the best time to visit Long Beach for your situation.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Long Beach?

Summer through early fall is generally the best time to visit Long Beach, as you’ll enjoy warm weather and higher ocean temperatures. Long Beach offers temperate weather all year, so there’s no bad time to visit this city.

That’s the short answer. But what activities you do in Long Beach during your trip will be a factor in deciding when is the best time to visit for you. Maybe you’re looking for good weather, lower prices, or to avoid crowds. No matter what you’re looking to get out of your trip to Long Beach, we’ll help you find the best time to go.

When to Visit Long Beach for Good Weather

Southern California is famous for its year-round mild weather and abundant sunshine. Summer and fall in Long Beach offer an average temperature in the mid to high 70s and clear, sunny skies. Long Beach tends to have low humidity levels, so you can stay comfortable even on days with high temperatures in the 80s.

During winter, temperatures are still comfortable in the 60s, and in the spring temperatures climb back into the 70s. It rains occasionally during these seasons, but with its highest average monthly rainfall of 3.06 inches in February, it’s nothing to worry about.

📚 Related Reading: If you want to make sure you book a hotel close to the activities you want to do, check out my article on where to stay in Long Beach.

When to Visit Long Beach on a Budget

If you’re looking to vacation on a budget, booking a trip to Long Beach during winter is a great option. Flight and hotel prices dip in January, February, and March, so you can score a killer deal. Winter temperatures are usually in the 60s, so you’ll still enjoy Long Beach’s signature mild weather.

Thanks to the mild winter temperatures, you can still enjoy local beaches and other outdoor activities during your stay. As an added bonus, some of the best things to do in Long Beach are free or low-cost.

🛎️ Browse Hotels in Long Beach on Booking

When to Visit Long Beach to Avoid Crowds

Beach cities like Long Beach tend to fill up with tourists during the summer, when kids are on break from school. To avoid summer crowds, visit Long Beach in the fall. Temperatures are still warm into November, and lines at local parks like Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland are much shorter.

As with most of Southern California, popular destinations still fill up on weekends throughout the year. So, the more you can plan to visit California during weekdays, the better. You’ll also get cheaper rates at hotels and reduced admission at attractions like El Dorado Nature Center during the week.

👉 Read Next: The Best Time to Visit San Diego to Avoid Crowds

Long Beach Travel Seasons

Summer

There’s plenty to do when you visit Long Beach during the hottest months of the year. Hit the local Southern California beaches, bike along the coast, and head to one of the city’s many cultural or culinary festivals.

☔ Weather – Daytime temperatures hover in the high 70s and low 80s, and the sun is out in full force. At night, expect temperatures to dip below 70 degrees.

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Crowds – Expect beaches and popular attractions to be crowded, especially around July 4th and Labor Day. Book activities in advance to ensure you have a spot.

💵 Prices – Hotel rates are most expensive in July. Try booking dates during weekdays to lower your spend on hotels.

🎉 Events – Long Beach Jazz Festival, Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Long Beach BBQ Festival

🛎️ Browse Hotels in Long Beach on Booking

Autumn

Offering slightly cooler weather than summer, lessening crowds, and warmer ocean temperatures, autumn might be the best season to stay in Long Beach.

☔ Weather – Daytime temperatures average in the mid 70s, and the weather is mostly sunny. At night, temperatures hover in the mid to high 50s.

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Crowds – Crowds start to thin out in early September, once kids return to school. Expect weekends to be busy, but enjoy thinner crowds during the week.

💵 Prices – Hotels offer some very affordable rates during this time. Aim to book dates during weekdays to maximize your savings.

🎉 Events – Long Beach Lobster Festival, Dia de los Muertos at MOLAA, Autumn Festival, Long Beach Zombie Walk

Winter

Winter in Long Beach is mild and doesn’t get too cold, making it a prime time to visit. Also, the mountains are only a few hours away, so you can take a quick day trip to the snow to board or ski.

☔ Weather – The temperature in winter generally sits in the mid 60s during the day, and can dip into the high 40s at night. Note that December is the windiest month in Long Beach, with an average wind speed of 8.1 miles per hour. Bring a jacket!

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Crowds – Beaches and popular attractions will be at their least crowded during winter. You’ll enjoy shorter wait times and plenty of breathing room when you visit.

💵 Prices – Hotels offer their cheapest rates during winter. You should be able to find great deals at nice hotels, even in the heart of downtown.

🎉 Events – Cali Vibes Reggae Festival, NYE Night Dive at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Naples Boat Parade

🚗 Where to Rent a Car: If you plan on taking advantage of the lack of crowds at Disneyland or Knotts, a rental car can make your travels even easier. Discover Cars offers great deals on rental vehicles so you and your family can travel comfortably on your own time, without the hassle of taking shuttle buses.

Spring

If you travel to Long Beach during this season, you’ll be met with mild weather and blooming wildflowers. This is a wonderful time to take advantage of attractions that will fill up with tourists come summer.

☔ Weather – Daytime perceived temperatures average in the mid to high 60s. At night, temperatures can dip into the low 50s.

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Crowds – Crowds are still thin, but can ramp up around spring break and Memorial Day weekend. I’d recommend making reservations in advance to make sure you get to do everything you plan.

💵 Prices – Hotel prices in Long Beach spike in April, so book as far in advance as possible and look for deals to get the best rate. Prices in March and May are closer to average.

🎉 Events – Long Beach Pride Parade & Festival, Long Beach Grand Prix, Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, Long Beach Crawfish Festival

Long Beach Weather and Climate

Plan for June Gloom

In late May and early June, you might encounter a phenomenon locals call “June Gloom.” During this time, the weather can be misty and humid. Sometimes, it may even rain. If you visit during June Gloom, bring sure to pack a light rain jacket and plan outdoor activities for the afternoon, when the haze tends to dissipate.

👉 Read Next: Is Long Beach Safe?

Don’t Forget Sun Protection

Long Beach has some of the best weather in the country, ranking as the city with the most nice days in a year according to The Washington Post. This means that while you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine, bring sunscreen and a hat with you on your trip. No one wants to nurse a sunburn on vacation!

🛴 Read Next: 8 Ways for Getting Around Long Beach

FAQs about When to Visit Long Beach

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Whenever you plan your trip to Long Beach, I hope this article and all our Long Beach travel guides help you choose a time that works best for you. Long Beach is a coastal gem on the California coast, and I hope you enjoy your stay! Before you go, be sure to check out my list of the best things to do in Long Beach!