You’re thinking about hitting Los Angeles in March. Maybe you’re picturing Baywatch vibes—blazing sun, tiny swimsuits, and 90-degree heat. Honestly? That’s not quite it. March is a weird, beautiful, and slightly moody transition month in Southern California. It’s when the city finally starts to shake off its "winter" (which, let's be real, is just a slightly soggier version of spring) and moves toward the dry heat of summer.
But if you show up with nothing but flip-flops and a tank top, you’re gonna be miserable by 6:00 PM.
The Reality of the Temperature Swings
In March, the weather in March LA is basically a game of two halves. During the day, it's gorgeous. You’re looking at average highs of around 70°F (21°C). On a clear day in the San Fernando Valley or Downtown, it can easily creep up to 75°F or even 80°F if a Santa Ana wind event decides to kick through. It feels like the best kind of spring day—crisp, bright, and perfect for walking.
Then the sun goes down.
Because LA is essentially a desert basin sitting next to a very cold ocean, the temperature cratering is real. Those 70-degree afternoons turn into 52°F (11°C) nights fast. I’ve seen tourists shivering in line outside a club in West Hollywood because they didn't realize "California" also means "chilly once the sun disappears."
The Coast vs. Inland Divide
One thing people always miss is the microclimate factor.
If you’re staying in Santa Monica or Venice, expect it to be 5 to 10 degrees cooler than if you’re staying in Pasadena or North Hollywood. The "marine layer"—that thick, gray fog that rolls off the Pacific—likes to hang out near the beach until noon. If you’re a morning person, the coast in March is often misty and damp. By the time you drive twenty minutes inland to the Getty Center, the sky is a piercing, cloudless blue.
Is it Going to Rain?
This is the big question. March is technically the tail end of our "rainy season." Now, "rainy" in LA doesn't mean London or Seattle. It usually means a couple of big storms that dump a lot of water at once and then vanish.
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On average, LA gets about 2.4 inches of rain in March, usually spread across 5 or 6 days. But here’s the thing: when it rains here, the city kinda loses its mind. Traffic doubles, and everyone forgets how to drive. If you’re planning outdoor stuff like hiking Griffith Park or hitting Universal Studios, keep a backup plan for a museum day. The Broad or the LACMA are perfect for those rare soggy afternoons.
What to Actually Pack (The "Local" Uniform)
If you want to look like you live here and not like a freezing tourist, you need layers. Don't bring a heavy parka—you’ll look ridiculous. But don't just bring shorts either.
- The Base: T-shirts or light blouses.
- The Middle: A solid hoodie, a denim jacket, or a light sweater.
- The Outer: A light windbreaker or a leather jacket for the evenings.
- The Bottoms: Jeans are the gold standard. You can wear shorts during the day if you’re hiking, but you’ll want long pants by dinner.
And for the love of everything, bring comfortable sneakers. LA is a "driving city," but if you're doing the tourist thing, you’re going to be walking miles across theme parks, museum campuses, and beach boardwalks.
The Ocean: Look, Don’t Touch
A lot of people think March is beach weather. It is... for sitting on the sand with a book. The Pacific Ocean is notoriously cold, and in March, the water temperature is stuck around 58°F to 60°F. Unless you have a thick 4/3mm wetsuit and a lot of determination, you aren’t going for a "swim." You might see some brave surfers out at Malibu, but for most of us, March beach days are for sunsets and hoodies, not bikinis and bracing dips.
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Why March is Secretly the Best Time to Visit
Despite the "maybe it'll rain" gamble, March is actually a pro-traveler move for LA.
First, the crowds are way thinner than in July. You can actually get a reservation at that trendy spot in Silver Lake without calling three weeks in advance. Second, the air quality is often at its best. The winter rains wash away the smog, and the visibility from the top of the Santa Monica Mountains is insane. On a clear March day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains behind the skyscrapers of DTLA. It’s the "postcard view" people come for.
Also, everything is green. People think of LA as brown and dusty, but after the spring rains, the hills are vibrantly green and covered in wildflowers (if we're lucky enough for a "superbloom" year).
Events to Watch Out For
- The LA Marathon: Usually happens in March. It shuts down a massive "Stadium to the Stars" route. If you aren't running it, check the map so you don't get trapped on the wrong side of a closed street.
- Swallows of San Juan Capistrano: If you’re up for a little drive south, the famous return of the swallows happens on St. Joseph’s Day (March 19th).
- Cherry Blossoms: Places like Lake Balboa or the Descanso Gardens start showing off their blooms late in the month.
Actionable Tips for Your March Trip
- Check the "Atmospheric River" Forecasts: Use an app like AccuWeather or Dark Sky a week out. If an atmospheric river is coming, it’s not just "rain"—it’s a deluge.
- Book the Griffith Observatory for Sunset: In March, the sun sets around 7:00 PM. Arrive at 5:30 PM to catch the transition from golden hour to the city lights.
- Rent a Car with a Sunroof: You’ll want the air, but maybe not the full convertible blast if it's a 65-degree day.
- Stay Central: If you want to minimize the impact of the coastal fog vs. inland heat, stay somewhere like West Hollywood or Beverly Grove. You’re right in the middle of both worlds.
Basically, March in LA is for people who like variety. One day you’re in a light jacket looking at Van Goghs, the next you’re in sunglasses eating tacos on a sunny patio in Highland Park. Just keep a sweater in the trunk of your Uber, and you’ll be fine.