Best time to visit Long Beach

Long Beach has a mild Mediterranean climate and is one of the sunniest spots in the country — there's genuinely no bad month to come. What changes through the year is the water temperature, the crowds, the rates, and one quirky local weather pattern worth planning around. Here's how the seasons shake out in Belmont Shore.

The short answer

If you want the single best window: September and October. The summer crowds thin, the marine layer is gone, the skies are clear, and the ocean is at its warmest all year. For the warmest, liveliest beach scene, come in summer; for quiet and value, winter is lovely and cheap.

Long Beach through the seasons

The "June Gloom" heads-up

One honest local quirk: from late May through June, a low marine layer often keeps mornings gray and cool along the coast — locals call it "May Gray" and "June Gloom." It's not rain, and it typically burns off to sunshine by midday or early afternoon. If you visit in that window, just plan your beach time for the afternoon and you'll barely notice it. By July the skies are reliably clear.

Best time for warm water and swimming

The Pacific here is bracing in winter and spring (mid-to-upper 50s°F) and warmest from late summer into early fall, reaching roughly 68–70°F. If you want easy, warm swimming, the protected Alamitos Bay side is calmer and feels warmer than the open ocean — one reason it's so good for families. Both Shankton Peninsula suites include beach chairs and an umbrella, so you can just grab and go.

Best time for sunshine and fewer crowds

September and October are the insider's pick. The marine layer is long gone, the water is still warm from summer, the 2nd Street crowds have thinned after Labor Day, and rates come down. Autumn also brings the occasional Santa Ana — offshore winds that deliver hot, brilliantly clear beach days. It's Long Beach at its best.

Best time for value and quiet

Winter (December–February) is the calm, affordable season. Days are mild and often sunny, the neighborhood is peaceful, and nightly rates are at their lowest. It's also whale-watching season — gray whales migrate past the coast roughly December through April, and boats from Long Beach spot dolphins year-round and blue whales offshore in summer. Pack a light layer for cooler evenings and the odd winter shower.

How's the weather, really?

Mild and sunny, nearly always. Summer highs sit in the mid-70s to low-80s°F (24–28°C) and winter highs hover around 65°F (18°C), with cool, comfortable nights year-round. The coast rarely sees extremes — the hottest days usually arrive with autumn Santa Ana winds, and genuine rain is confined to a handful of winter days.

So — when should you go?

• Best overall: September–October — warm water, clear skies, fewer crowds, better rates.
• Warmest beach days and buzz: summer (June–August); book early and plan on tight weekend parking.
• Quiet and best value: winter (December–February).
• Whale watching: December–April for the gray-whale migration.
• Heads-up: late May–June can start gray in the mornings — afternoons are sunny.

A few practical notes

• Parking is the one catch, and it's tightest on summer weekends — each Shankton Peninsula unit includes a dedicated off-street space, which is rare in Belmont Shore.
• Pack layers. Even in summer, evenings and gray mornings run cool by the water.
• Surfers: you'll want a wetsuit most of the year; water only gets boardshorts-warm for a few late-summer weeks.
• For what to do once you're here, see our Belmont Shore & Long Beach guide and the California page.

Common questions