California Climate and Weather

Print our full travel guide to California
California travel Forum

Climate

With 354 days of sunshine a year, on average, the climate in California is generally warm and dry across all seasons. Summers are usually hot and humidity is low, while winters tend to be mild. The coastal communities of Los Angeles and San Diego are kept cooler in summer and warmer in winter than the inland regions by offshore breezes. Smog can often be a problem is summer when temperatures reach above 90°F (32°C). Winter temperatures can drop to about 55°F (12°C) and rain is possible. San Francisco, further north, tends to be cooler and breezier, and fog appears regularly over the harbour until about midday.

California travel Forum