You’ve seen the movies. It is always a golden-hour glow, people are wearing linen, and the palm trees are swaying against a perfect, cloudless sky. If you’re planning a trip to the 90069 or 90046, you probably think the west hollywood ca weather is just one long, unchanging summer.
Honestly? It's not.
I’ve lived in Southern California long enough to see tourists shivering in shorts on a "sunny" February afternoon because they didn't realize that 65 degrees in the shade feels a lot different when the Pacific breeze kicks in. West Hollywood—or WeHo, if you’re trying to sound like a local—occupies a weirdly specific geographical pocket. It’s tucked right against the Hollywood Hills but sits miles away from the actual ocean. This creates a microclimate that can be five degrees warmer than Santa Monica but ten degrees cooler than the San Fernando Valley.
The Myth of the Eternal Summer
Most people get the "always hot" part wrong.
Basically, WeHo has a Mediterranean climate. That means our "winters" are actually just slightly cooler, greener versions of our summers, but with a lot more unpredictability. You'll get these bizarre stretches in January where it hits 80°F because of the Santa Ana winds—those hot, dry gusts that blow in from the desert. Then, three days later, a cold front drops the overnight lows to 48°F.
If you are looking at the averages, the hottest month is usually August, with highs sitting around 82°F. But that’s a "polite" average. In reality, we often get heatwaves in September and October that push the mercury well over 95°F.
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I remember a few years back when it was 100°F on Halloween.
Walking around in a heavy costume on Santa Monica Boulevard during the Carnival was a nightmare. On the flip side, December and January are the coldest, with highs hanging around 66°F. If you're coming from Chicago, that sounds like a heatwave. If you're standing on the corner of Sunset and La Cienega in a t-shirt when the sun goes down, it feels like an ice box.
Winter is the Rainy Season (Sorta)
We don't get a lot of rain. Like, almost none for six months of the year.
But when it rains in West Hollywood, it’s usually during the window of December through March. February is statistically the wettest month, averaging about 3.4 inches. That doesn't sound like much, but because LA's infrastructure is built for sunshine, a "normal" storm can turn the gutters on Melrose into mini-rivers.
The air is incredibly clear after these rains.
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If you want the best views of the Hollywood Sign or the DTLA skyline from a rooftop like the one at E.P. & L.P., wait for the day after a winter storm. The smog gets scrubbed away, and everything looks high-definition.
Why "June Gloom" is a Real Vibe Killer
You’ve probably heard of May Gray and June Gloom.
This is the phenomenon where a thick marine layer—basically a massive blanket of low-lying clouds—gets sucked in from the ocean and trapped against the hills. Since West Hollywood is nestled right at the base of the Hollywood Hills, the clouds have nowhere to go.
- Morning: Total overcast. Gray. Damp.
- Noon: The sun starts to "burn off" the fog.
- 3:00 PM: Finally, blue skies.
- Sunset: The gray blanket rolls back in.
It’s kind of depressing if you paid $500 a night for a hotel pool. Tourists show up in June expecting "Baywatch" weather and end up wearing hoodies until 2:00 PM. If you want guaranteed sun all day long, you’re actually better off visiting in September than in June.
Packing Like a Pro for WeHo
The secret to surviving the west hollywood ca weather is the "California Layer."
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I can’t tell you how many people I see at the Abbey or Delilah who are clearly underdressed for the evening. In the summer, the temperature can drop 15 to 20 degrees the second the sun disappears.
- Denim or Light Leather: Essential for evenings, even in July.
- Linen and Cotton: For the midday sun. The UV index here is no joke; you will burn faster than you think.
- Real Shoes: WeHo is one of the few places in LA where people actually walk. Whether you’re hitting the boutiques on Design District or bar-hopping, your feet will thank you.
Average Temperature Breakdown (Real Talk)
| Season | Daytime High | Nighttime Low | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | 68°F - 73°F | 51°F - 58°F | Green hills, occasional fog, perfect hiking weather. |
| Summer (June-Aug) | 76°F - 82°F | 62°F - 65°F | Hot afternoons, June Gloom mornings, zero rain. |
| Fall (Sept-Nov) | 71°F - 81°F | 53°F - 64°F | Surprise heatwaves, Santa Ana winds, the "real" summer. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 66°F - 68°F | 48°F - 50°F | Short rainy bursts, crisp air, chilly nights. |
The Best Time to Visit
If you want the absolute "sweet spot" of west hollywood ca weather, aim for late April or October.
April gives you that lush, post-rain greenery in the hills and temperatures that stay in that comfortable 70-degree range. October is arguably better because the ocean is still warm, the crowds have thinned out, and the "Gloom" is long gone. You get those deep orange sunsets that make the palm trees look like silhouettes.
Honestly, even the "bad" weather here isn't that bad. Just don't expect the tropics. We are a desert-adjacent basin that happens to be next to a very cold ocean.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Check the Hourly, Not the Daily: A "75 and sunny" forecast doesn't tell you that it'll be 55 at 8:00 AM. Look at the temperature swing.
- Hydrate: The air is dry here. If you're out at the Pride parade in June or the Halloween Carnival, the dehydration hits you twice as fast as it does in humid climates.
- Don't Fear the Rain: If the forecast says rain, go to a museum or a fancy indoor lunch at The West Hollywood EDITION. The city clears out, and you can actually get a table without a reservation.
- Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Even on a "Gloomy" June morning, the UV rays penetrate the cloud cover. I’ve seen some of the worst sunburns on the cloudiest days.
Keep an eye on the Santa Ana wind advisories if you have allergies. Those winds blow in every bit of dust and pollen from the Mojave Desert, and it can turn a fun weekend into a sinus headache pretty quickly. But otherwise? Just bring a light jacket and enjoy the view.