Weather in December Los Angeles: What Most People Get Wrong

You've probably seen the postcards. Palm trees draped in Christmas lights, people surfing in Santa hats, and that golden, eternal sunshine. It looks like a tropical paradise that happens to have a calendar saying it's winter. But if you’re actually planning to be here, let’s get real for a second. The weather in december los angeles isn't just one "thing." It is a moody, layered, and occasionally dramatic experience that can catch even the savviest travelers off guard.

Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is thinking they don't need a jacket. You do.

The Temperature Rollercoaster

Most days, you’re looking at highs around 67°F (19°C). On paper, that sounds like perfect light-sweater weather. In reality, the sun in Southern California is incredibly strong. When it’s hitting your face at noon in Santa Monica, it feels like 75°F. You’ll be peeling off layers and wondering why you wore jeans.

But then the sun goes down.

Because LA is essentially a desert basin sitting next to a cold ocean, the temperature drops off a cliff the moment dusk hits. Those 67°F days quickly turn into 49°F nights. If you’re at a rooftop bar in West Hollywood or walking the Pier, that damp ocean breeze will cut right through a T-shirt. Locals call it "the big chill," even if people from Chicago would laugh at us.

Real Talk on Rain

December is technically the start of our rainy season. Now, "rainy season" in LA doesn't mean it drizzles for 30 days straight like Seattle. It means we might go three weeks with nothing but blue skies, and then a massive atmospheric river dumps three inches of rain in 48 hours.

Take December 2025, for instance. We saw some wild swings. Early in the month, it was eerily dry and balmy—actually record-breakingly warm for parts of the West. Then, right around Christmas Eve, the skies opened up. We had over an inch of rain in a single day. When it rains here, the city kinda freaks out. Traffic becomes a nightmare, and the "dry" concrete becomes slick as ice.

What the Heck are Santa Ana Winds?

If you wake up and the air feels weirdly hot, dry, and charged with electricity, you’ve met the Santa Anas. These are "catabatic" winds. They blow from the high-altitude Great Basin deserts down through the mountain passes toward the coast.

As the air drops in elevation, it compresses and heats up.

It’s a bizarre sensation. You can be in the middle of December, yet the humidity drops to 5%, and the wind is gusting at 40 mph. It feels like someone is holding a giant hairdryer to your face. These winds are why we have such a high wildfire risk even in the "winter." Just last January, following a dry December, the Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres because of these exact conditions. If you’re visiting during a Santa Ana event, your skin will feel like parchment paper. Pack the heavy-duty moisturizer. You’ll thank me later.

Microclimates are Real

You can't trust a single weather report for "Los Angeles." The city is too big.

• The Coast (Malibu/Santa Monica): Always cooler. Highs might stay in the low 60s.
• The Valley (Burbank/Van Nuys): Always more extreme. Hotter at noon, colder at midnight.
• Downtown: A concrete heat island that holds onto warmth a bit longer.

I’ve seen it be 72°F in Pasadena while a foggy 58°F "marine layer" is hugging the beach in Venice. It’s why you’ll see people in the same ZIP code wearing flip-flops and parkas simultaneously.

The Packing Strategy (Don't Overthink It)

You don't need a North Face puffer unless you're heading up to Big Bear to see actual snow. But you do need to master the art of the "California Layer."

Basically, your base should be a T-shirt or a light long-sleeve. Add a hoodie or a denim jacket. Keep a medium-weight coat in the trunk of your car or your day bag. If you’re going to a nice dinner, a blazer is your best friend.

And yes, bring an umbrella. Even if the forecast says 0% chance of rain, our storms like to surprise us. In December 2025, those "unexpected" showers caught plenty of tourists at Disneyland without a poncho, and nobody wants to pay $30 for a plastic bag with Mickey on it.

Actionable Tips for your December Trip:

• Check the Dew Point: If the humidity is ultra-low, expect a Santa Ana wind event. This means high fire danger and static electricity everywhere.
• Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Even if it’s "cool," the UV index in LA stays high. You will get a "winter burn" if you spend the day at Griffith Observatory.
• Avoid the Canyons During Rain: If a big storm is hitting, mudslides are a real thing in places like Topanga or Malibu. Stick to the main flats.
• Watch the Sunset: December offers some of the best sunsets of the year because the air is clearer after the occasional rain. Head to El Matador State Beach around 4:30 PM.

The weather in december los angeles is arguably the best time to visit if you hate the sweltering 100-degree heat of August. You get the holiday vibes without the slushy snow. Just keep an eye on those atmospheric rivers and remember that the "Golden State" still gets chilly once the sun dips behind the Pacific.

🔗 Read more: Countries that Start with N: What Most People Get Wrong

Your Next Step:
Download a weather app that lets you pin specific neighborhoods like "Santa Monica" and "Pasadena" separately. Comparing the two in real-time is the only way to know if you should grab a sweater or shorts before you leave the hotel.