Los Angeles in December
In December, Los Angeles averages 20°C (68°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (56 mm total).
Peak seasonConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
December is a great month to visit Los Angeles: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.
How December compares to the rest of the year in Los Angeles
December is one of the coolest months in Los Angeles (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (24°C). December runs 3°C cooler than November (23°C) and stays flat into January.
December sunrise & sunset in Los Angeles
Times shown for Los Angeles local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Los Angeles — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Los Angeles's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Los Angeles in December
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Peak season) and Los Angeles's popularity.
December in United States — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.
Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.
Crowds & pricing — December in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge
Sun & mosquito risk — December in Los Angeles
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Sea temperature in Los Angeles — December
Across the year Los Angeles's sea swings from 14.5°C (February) to 21.2°C (August) — December sits at 15.9°C.
Los Angeles in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 79 mm | 6 | 0 |
| February | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 91 mm | 6 | 0 |
| March | 21°C / 70°F | 11°C / 52°F | 56 mm | 5 | 0 |
| April | 22°C / 72°F | 12°C / 54°F | 23 mm | 3 | 0 |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 5 mm | 1 | 0 |
| June | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 2 mm | 0 | 0 |
| July | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 0 mm | 0 | 0 |
| August | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 2 mm | 0 | 0 |
| September | 28°C / 82°F | 17°C / 63°F | 5 mm | 1 | 0 |
| October | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 59°F | 13 mm | 2 | 0 |
| November | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 28 mm | 3 | 0 |
| December | 20°C / 68°F | 9°C / 48°F | 56 mm | 5 | 0 |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Los Angeles in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Los Angeles in December?
In December, Los Angeles averages a high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally mild and pleasant.
Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in December?
December sees occasional rain in Los Angeles, with about 5 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit Los Angeles?
December is mild and pleasant and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Los Angeles in December?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full December packing list for Los Angeles for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.