last edited Dec 11, 2019
Travel and Suggested Itineraries in California
Location Map of California
California
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Best Times to Visit
Finding the best time to visit means balancing climate conditions with crowds and the most attractive prices, both on-site and for travel.
While the ideal time climate-wise often depends on the specific places you want to visit, the shoulder seasons are the most pleasant if you plan to explore all of California. Traveling between late March and mid-June or from mid-September to early November lets you avoid the scorching summer heat of the desert regions and the winter chill of the northern parks and mountains. Plus, there will be far fewer crowds—and the prices that come with them—than in the peak summer tourist season. In short, California is best in the shoulder seasons.
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast climate | ||||||||||||
| Inland climate* | / | |||||||||||
| Inland climate** | ||||||||||||
| Avoid crowds | / | |||||||||||
| Low prices | / |
Inland *: Southern California (desert region) - Inland **: Northern California (mountainous region)
: very favorable | : favorable | : moderately favorable | : unfavorable.