Santa Monica, nestled on California’s Pacific coast, enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. The city boasts over 280 sunny days a year, moderate rainfall, and refreshing ocean breezes. Its stable temperatures, abundant sunshine, and scenic beaches make Santa Monica an inviting destination for travellers year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Santa Monica’s climate is shaped by its coastal location, resulting in mild temperature variations and comfortable weather throughout the year. Summers (June–September) are warm and dry, with average daytime highs of 23–26°C and nighttime lows around 14–17°C. July and August are the warmest months, occasionally reaching up to 28°C, but the ocean breeze keeps conditions pleasant. Rain is scarce in summer, with less than 5 mm per month, and sunshine is abundant, averaging 10–13 hours per day. The Pacific Ocean remains cool, with sea temperatures peaking at 19–20°C in late summer, making swimming brisk but refreshing. Early summer can bring “June Gloom,” a period of morning fog or low clouds that usually clears by midday.
Winters (December–February) are mild and wetter, with highs of 18–20°C and lows of 8–10°C. Rainfall is most frequent in January and February, each averaging 50–70 mm and 6–7 rainy days per month, but heavy rain is rare and snow is unknown. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (17–22°C), moderate rainfall, and fewer crowds. Annual precipitation averages 330–360 mm, mostly falling from December to March. Winds are generally light to moderate, averaging 10–16 km/h, with breezier days during winter storms or Santa Ana wind events. Santa Monica enjoys about 2,800 hours of sunshine annually, and humidity remains comfortable, typically 60–70%. The city’s climate supports a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, from beach days to year-round al fresco dining.
| Average climate data for Santa Monica, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 27 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 39 | 39 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 32 | 192 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 49 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 56 | 59 | 62 | 61 | 65 | 70 | 65 | 64 | 60 | 56 | 51 | 55 | 60 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 17 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 23 | 17 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
The best time to visit Santa Monica is from May to October, when temperatures are warmest, rainfall is minimal, and the city is lively with outdoor events and festivals. These months offer the most sunshine and ideal conditions for beach activities, cycling, and exploring the vibrant pier and promenade.
The least favourable time to visit Santa Monica is from December to February, when rainfall is highest and occasional storms can bring cloudy, damp weather. While winters remain mild and many days are sunny, rain can limit beach activities and outdoor plans, though the city is quieter and less crowded.
Santa Monica has a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Temperatures range from 18°C in winter to 26°C in summer, and the city enjoys over 280 sunny days annually.
The best beach weather is from July to October, when daytime highs reach 23–26°C, rainfall is minimal, and the Pacific is at its warmest (19–20°C). Early summer can be foggy in the mornings.
Santa Monica receives moderate rainfall, averaging 330–360 mm per year. Most rain falls from December to March, with January and February being the wettest months. Summers are very dry.
Summer highs in Santa Monica typically reach 23–26°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 30°C are rare due to the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ocean near Santa Monica is brisk, with sea temperatures peaking at 19–20°C in late summer. Swimming is possible but refreshing, and wetsuits are recommended for longer swims.
Pack light clothing, sun protection, and a jumper or jacket for cool evenings and breezy beach walks. Bring a rain jacket if visiting in winter. Even in summer, mornings can be foggy and cool.
Extreme weather is rare. Occasionally, hot Santa Ana winds can push temperatures higher in autumn, and winter storms may bring brief heavy rain. Snow is unknown, and most days are mild and sunny.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (27.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (17.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (18 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (10.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is October (19.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (14.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 16.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (38.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is June (2 mm). Over the whole year there are 191.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (6.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (1.7 days). Over the whole year there are 49.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (69.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (51.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 60.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (10.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (7.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (23.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 17 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.
