The Best Time To Travel California
California is known as a year-round destination that has the perfect weather for everyone who visits this beautiful state. Snow bunnies and sun worshipers all can benefit when visiting California. Obviously, the best time to travel California will entirely depend on what you want to do and see. This article will explain a few of the basics of the best time to travel California.
Seasons & Weather
A good portion of California has Mediterranean like climate. The winters are wet and mild while the summers are warm and dry. On the coast, you will find the average daily temperature around 70°F – 21°C. There are occasions however when the temperature will spike up to 80°F – 27°C or higher. Freezing temperatures are quite rare and this is even during the winter.
California has a legendary fog along the coastline from approximately Monterey North. The fog rolls in during the summer months but it will typically burn off by midday. At dusk, it will roll back in. As you go further inland, the summer months are hot and dry whereas the winter months are wet and cool.
There are occasional blue sky days were the winter temperatures will drop low enough to freeze a puddle of water on the ground but that is about as far as it goes. When you travel into higher altitudes you will find the weather having more of a 4 season cycle. The summers are a perfect temperature, the autumn produces brilliant fall colors, the winter is cold and snowy, and the springtime is basically waterfall season as the snow melts.
When To Visit
The majority of vacationers travel to California during June through August which are the peak summer months. During this time you can expect the largest crowds at many of the top attractions such as Disneyland. You can also expect to pay a few more dollars at resorts and lodgings as it is the time for high season rates. However, do not become discouraged because there are still many opportunities to jump off the beaten path and explore fields, beaches, and forests almost to yourself.
For anyone who enjoys backpacking in the high country, such as through the Sahara Nevada region, they must wait until summer when all of the trails and roads are accessible. This wait will also be necessary if you plan to venture into Lassen Peak or Mount Shasta, the tallest volcanoes in the state.
March through the beginning of May is springtime in California. Many say that it is the most beautiful time of the year. Even though the temperature may be cold at higher elevations, the temperature throughout the majority of the state will be moderate and comfortable. The hillsides will be blanketed with wildflowers and lush green grass. The deserts in California will be covered with paintbrush, poppies, and other colorful desert blooms.
In fact, if you plan to visit the deserts then springtime is the best time to go. When you visit California during the springtime you will also encounter better deals and shorter lines. The majority of California’s top tourist attractions will be operating at a much slower pace. All of the resorts, motels, and hotels will have lower seasonal rates until the beginning of June.