June in Los Angeles starts with fog. Locals call it 'June Gloom,' a persistent marine layer off the Pacific that blankets the coast most mornings, sometimes lingering well past noon. Visitors who fly into LAX expecting nonstop California sunshine might step outside to gray skies and 18°C (64°F) air that feels more like San Francisco. The overcast typically burns off by early afternoon, revealing blue sky and highs around 28°C (82°F), but the pattern repeats daily. Some days the clouds never fully lift at all.
That said, June has real appeal once you calibrate expectations. Rainfall is essentially zero, roughly 10mm across the entire month. Temperatures sit in a comfortable range, well below the 38°C (100°F) spikes that hit the San Fernando Valley in July and August. The summer tourism wave hasn't fully arrived either. Schools across much of the country stay in session through mid-June, so the first two weeks tend to be noticeably quieter at spots like Griffith Observatory and the Santa Monica Pier.
West Hollywood's Pride celebration typically falls mid-June and draws hundreds of thousands of people over the weekend. The Hollywood Bowl opens its summer concert season. Farmers markets across the city, from the Hollywood Farmers Market on Ivar Avenue to the Santa Monica Wednesday market, fill with California stone fruit at peak ripeness. If you can make peace with morning fog, June delivers comfortable temperatures without the inland heat or tourist density of high summer.
Why visit in June
- Temperatures average 28°C (82°F) during the day with almost no rain, 10mm for the entire month, making outdoor plans reliable from afternoon onward.
- Crowds are noticeably thinner than July and August, especially during the first two weeks before most US schools let out for summer.
- California stone fruit, cherries, apricots, and white peaches, hits peak season at farmers markets like the Hollywood Farmers Market and Santa Monica Wednesday market.
- The Hollywood Bowl summer season opens in June, with ticket prices for lawn seats starting lower than comparable July and August performances.
- Hotel rates sit below the July-August peak. Properties along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and in West Hollywood tend to run 15-25% less than their high-summer rates.
Worth knowing
- June Gloom is real. The marine layer can keep coastal neighborhoods like Venice, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach under gray skies until 1 or 2 PM, and some days it never burns off.
- Inland areas like Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley occasionally spike above 35°C (95°F) during heat events while the coast sits at 22°C (72°F), making it hard to dress for both zones in one day.
- Beach water temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F) in June, cold enough that most people want a wetsuit for anything beyond wading.
- Traffic on the 405 and the 10 gets worse as summer approaches. Friday afternoons heading toward the Westside can add 45-60 minutes to a normally 25-minute drive.
Best for
Think twice if
June's defining feature is the marine layer. Mornings along the coast are typically overcast and cool, around 16-18°C (61-64°F), with fog that can feel damp against your skin. By early afternoon most days, the sun pushes through and temperatures climb to around 28°C (82°F) near the coast, warmer inland. Humidity sits at 67%, noticeable but not sticky. Rain is essentially absent at 10mm for the whole month. Evenings cool quickly once the sun sets, and you'll want a layer by 9 PM in Santa Monica or Venice. Inland valleys run 3-5°C warmer than the coast on clear days.
Seasonal caution
- Inland valleys like the San Fernando Valley and Inland Empire can spike to 38°C (100°F) or above during occasional early-summer heat events, even while the coast stays comfortable at 24°C (75°F). Check the forecast before planning a day trip to Pasadena or Burbank.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19 | 7 | 85 |
| Feb | 20 | 8 | 110 |
| Mar | 20 | 9 | 85 |
| Apr | 24 | 11 | 8 |
| May | 25 | 13 | 7 |
| Jun | 28 | 15 | 10 |
| Jul | 31 | 17 | 2 |
| Aug | 32 | 18 | 18 |
| Sep | 30 | 18 | 22 |
| Oct | 27 | 15 | 18 |
| Nov | 23 | 11 | 57 |
| Dec | 19 | 9 | 132 |
Headline events
LA Pride
Mid-June weekend, typically the second or third weekend
West Hollywood's annual Pride celebration transforms Santa Monica Boulevard into a weekend-long festival with a parade, live music stages, and street parties. The event draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and effectively takes over the WeHo neighborhood for the weekend. It is one of the oldest Pride celebrations in the United States, dating to 1970.
Best things to do in June
Hollywood Bowl summer concerts
entertainmentThe Hollywood Bowl opens its summer season in June with a mix of classical performances by the LA Philharmonic, pop acts, and film screenings with live orchestras. The venue seats roughly 17,500 under the stars in the Hollywood Hills. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine, both are allowed.
The season opener in June means fresh programming and slightly smaller crowds than the July and August headliners draw.Booking tipLawn seats go on sale weeks before the show and tend to sell slower than box seats. Weeknight performances are easier to get than weekend dates.
Hiking Griffith Park before the heat
outdoorGriffith Park offers over 80km of trails across 1,700 hectares of terrain, from easy flat paths to steep climbs with views of the Hollywood Sign and Downtown skyline. The Fern Dell entrance on Western Canyon Road stays shaded and cool in the mornings.
June mornings are cool enough for comfortable hiking, around 18-20°C, before the dangerous heat of late summer sets in and fire risk closes trails.Booking tipNo booking needed. Arrive before 8 AM on weekends to find parking at the Griffith Observatory lot or the Vermont Canyon entrance.
Explore the Getty Center gardens
cultureThe Getty Center's Central Garden, designed by Robert Irwin, peaks in June with over 500 plant varieties in bloom. The bougainvillea along the arrival plaza is at its most vivid pink. The museum itself houses European paintings, photography, and rotating exhibitions across 5 pavilions.
June's mix of morning clouds and afternoon sun creates ideal conditions for the garden's plantings. The marine layer keeps temperatures moderate for wandering the outdoor sculpture terraces.Booking tipTimed-entry reservations are free but required. Book online at least a week ahead for weekend visits. Weekday mornings have the shortest waits at the tram.
Kayaking in Marina del Rey
outdoorMarina del Rey, the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America, offers calm-water kayaking past sailboats, sea lions, and waterfront restaurants. Rental outfitters line Fiji Way near Mother's Beach. Pelicans tend to follow paddlers hoping for scraps.
June's minimal wind and flat harbor water make for easy paddling conditions. The marine layer keeps the sun from beating down during morning sessions.Booking tipWeekday mornings are nearly empty on the water. Weekend afternoons see more boat traffic in the main channel.
Venice Beach boardwalk and Abbot Kinney
sightseeingThe Venice Beach boardwalk stretches 4km along the sand, past street performers, Muscle Beach outdoor gym, and the Venice Skatepark. A 10-minute walk inland, Abbot Kinney Boulevard runs 1.6km of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants in converted bungalows.
June's thinner crowds mean you can actually watch the skatepark without fighting for a viewing spot, and Abbot Kinney's sidewalk tables are easier to grab without a wait.Booking tipNo reservations needed for the boardwalk. For Abbot Kinney restaurants, weeknight walk-ins work, but weekend brunch spots fill by 10 AM.
Day trip to Malibu beaches
outdoorMalibu's 34km of coastline includes El Matador State Beach with its sea stacks and caves, Zuma Beach for wide-open sand, and Point Dume for whale-watching overlooks. PCH winds along the cliffs north of Santa Monica with pullouts at each beach.
June Gloom often clears faster in Malibu than in Santa Monica, and summer parking restrictions haven't fully kicked in yet. The water is still too cold for most swimmers, but the beaches themselves are less packed than July.Booking tipEl Matador has a tiny lot that fills by 10 AM on weekends. Arrive early or park along PCH and walk down the bluff stairs.
LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits
cultureThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art holds over 147,000 works spanning 6,000 years. Next door, the La Brea Tar Pits are an active paleontological dig site where you can watch researchers excavate Ice Age fossils from the bubbling asphalt. The smell of tar carries across the park.
June weekdays at LACMA are noticeably emptier than summer-vacation months. The Tar Pits' outdoor observation area is pleasant in the mild afternoon temperatures.Booking tipLACMA requires timed tickets. Book online for weekday afternoons when tour groups thin out.
Catch a Dodgers game at Chavez Ravine
entertainmentDodger Stadium, opened in 1962, seats 56,000 and sits on a hilltop overlooking Downtown with the San Gabriel Mountains behind it. June games tend to start at 7:10 PM, and the sunset over the field around the 3rd inning is part of the experience.
June evening temperatures around 22°C (72°F) make for comfortable outdoor baseball without the August heat that bakes the upper deck. The team is typically in the thick of NL West competition by mid-June.Booking tipSeats in the reserve level along the third-base line offer the best sunset views. Arrive early to avoid the Sunset Boulevard traffic crawl up to the stadium.
What to eat in June
In season: fruit
California cherries
Cherry season peaks in June at LA farmers markets. Dark Bing and golden Rainier varieties from Central Valley farms appear in large quantities. The Hollywood Farmers Market on Sundays is a reliable spot, and you'll find vendors selling by the bag or the pound.
White peaches and nectarines
California stone fruit season opens in earnest in June. White peaches from farms in Fresno and Tulare counties arrive with a floral sweetness that the later-season yellow varieties lack. The Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday tends to have the widest selection.
Street food peaks
Grilled elote
Street corn season picks up in June as corn from Southern California farms hits peak sweetness. Vendors in MacArthur Park and along Broadway in Downtown LA slather ears with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime. The smoky char smell tends to find you before you find the cart.
What to drink
Agua fresca
Street vendors and taquerias across East LA and Boyle Heights sell fresh agua frescas in seasonal fruit flavors. June brings horchata alongside watermelon, cucumber-lime, and Jamaica (hibiscus). Look for the carts with large glass barrel dispensers along Broadway in Downtown.
In markets
Santa Barbara uni
Sea urchin from the Santa Barbara Channel comes into peak season by June. Sushi spots along Sawtelle Boulevard in West LA serve it at its creamiest and sweetest. Quality is noticeably better than the winter months.
Regular events in June
Hollywood Bowl Summer Season Opening
The LA Philharmonic kicks off its summer residency at the Hollywood Bowl, typically in the first or second week of June. Opening night features a full orchestral program followed by fireworks over the Hollywood Hills.
First or second week of JuneCicLAviaFree
CicLAvia closes several miles of Los Angeles streets to car traffic, opening them to cyclists, pedestrians, and skaters. The June route varies by year but has previously connected neighborhoods like Koreatown to Hollywood along a car-free corridor.
Varies, typically one Sunday in JuneSanta Monica Pier Twilight ConcertsFree
Free outdoor concerts on the Santa Monica Pier each Thursday evening through the summer. The series typically launches in late June with local and touring acts performing against the Pacific sunset.
Thursday evenings, starting late JuneLos Angeles Film Festival
Independent and international film screenings across venues in Hollywood and Downtown LA. The festival runs over 10 days and features premieres, panels with filmmakers, and short film programs.
Mid to late JuneBest places this June
Griffith Observatory
attractionFree-admission observatory perched on the south slope of Mount Hollywood at 346m elevation. The planetarium shows run throughout the day, and the rooftop terrace offers a 360-degree view from the Hollywood Sign to Downtown to the Pacific on clear afternoons.
Los FelizThe Getty Center
museumRichard Meier's white travertine campus sits on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains. Free admission to the museum's collection of European art, photography, and manuscripts. The Central Garden designed by Robert Irwin peaks with blooms in June.
BrentwoodSanta Monica Pier and Beach
attractionThe 1909 pier extends over the Pacific with a Ferris wheel, aquarium, and the endpoint of Route 66. The beach stretches 5.6km with volleyball courts, the original Muscle Beach site, and a paved bike path running south to Venice.
Santa MonicaThe Broad
museumContemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown LA housing over 2,000 works by artists like Basquiat, Koons, and Kusama. The Infinity Mirror Rooms require a separate timed entry. Free general admission.
DowntownRunyon Canyon Park
outdoorA 65-hectare park in the Hollywood Hills with 3 main loop trails ranging from 1.5 to 5.5km. The summit offers views of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and Downtown. Dogs are allowed off-leash on designated trails.
HollywoodGrand Central Market
foodOperating since 1917 in a Beaux-Arts building on Broadway in Downtown LA. Over 30 food vendors serve everything from Thai curry to handmade tortillas to fresh oysters. The neon signage and tile floors are original.
DowntownEl Matador State Beach
outdoorA pocket beach in Malibu accessed by a steep bluff staircase. Sea stacks and caves frame the shoreline, and the afternoon light through the rock formations draws photographers. Parking is limited to a small lot along PCH.
MalibuSawtelle Japantown
foodA two-block stretch of Sawtelle Boulevard in West LA between Olympic and Santa Monica Boulevards. Japanese restaurants, ramen shops, mochi ice cream spots, and izakayas line both sides. Peak uni season makes the sushi counters here especially worthwhile in June.
West LA
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Insider tips
The marine layer tends to burn off earlier in the season as June progresses. The last week of June is statistically clearer than the first. If you have flexibility, aim for the final 10 days.
Griffith Observatory is free but the parking lot fills by 10 AM on weekends. Take the DASH shuttle bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station instead, it runs every 20 minutes and drops you at the door.
The Hollywood Farmers Market on Sundays (Ivar Avenue and Selma) is where many LA restaurant chefs shop. Arrive before 9 AM for the best stone fruit selection and fewer crowds.
Korean spas like Wi Spa in Koreatown are open 24 hours and offer a full day of saunas, pools, and rest areas. A good rainy-day or foggy-morning backup plan that most tourists overlook.
For the Hollywood Bowl, the park-and-ride shuttles from locations across the city are far less stressful than fighting for the limited on-site parking. The shuttles run from Hollywood & Highland, Ventura Boulevard, and other pickup points.
The coast-to-inland temperature split means you can escape a 35°C day in Pasadena by driving 30 minutes to Santa Monica where it might be 22°C. Locals do this constantly in summer.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a beachfront hotel expecting sun all day. Coastal properties in Santa Monica and Venice sit under the marine layer longest. Hotels a few miles inland in West Hollywood or Mid-Wilshire often see clearing skies hours earlier.
- Underestimating LA distances. The city sprawls over 1,200 square kilometers. A 'quick trip' from Santa Monica to the Griffith Observatory is 25km and can take 45-75 minutes depending on traffic. Plan no more than 2-3 areas per day.
- Skipping sunscreen on overcast mornings. UV penetrates the marine layer, and the sudden clearing at midday leaves unprepared skin exposed. Apply before you leave the hotel regardless of cloud cover.
- Not reserving parking or entry in advance. The Getty Center, The Broad, Griffith Observatory lot, and popular trailheads all benefit from advance booking or early arrival. Showing up at 11 AM on a Saturday means circling or being turned away.
- Dressing only for the beach. June evenings near the ocean drop to 15-16°C with ocean breeze. Restaurants in Santa Monica and Venice with outdoor seating can feel cold by 8 PM if you're in shorts and a tank top.
Practical tips for June
Book accommodations in the first two weeks of June for better rates and thinner crowds, before schools release across most of the US around mid-month. Rent a car unless you're staying exclusively in Santa Monica or Downtown, as Metro coverage is limited for reaching places like Malibu, Griffith Park trailheads, or the Hollywood Bowl. Factor in 30-60 minutes of buffer for any crosstown drive during weekday rush hours (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM). Restaurant reservations for popular spots on Abbot Kinney, in Silver Lake, and along Sawtelle should be made 3-5 days ahead for weekend dinners. Bring layers in the car, you might leave a foggy 17°C coast and arrive at a 33°C inland valley within the same afternoon.
FAQ
Does June Gloom affect the entire city or only the coast?
The marine layer primarily affects neighborhoods within 8-10km of the ocean. Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula get hit hardest. Inland areas like Pasadena, Burbank, and the San Fernando Valley typically see clear skies by mid-morning or stay clear all day. The mid-city zone, from Hollywood to Koreatown, falls somewhere in between and often clears by 11 AM.
Is June a good time to visit Los Angeles beaches?
Beaches are pleasant for walking, volleyball, and sunset watching, but the ocean water at 17°C (63°F) is cold enough that most swimmers want a wetsuit. Morning fog means you might not see sun on the sand until after noon. If beach time is your primary goal, late September and October offer warmer water and clearer skies. That said, afternoons in late June can be warm and sunny at the coast once the pattern starts breaking.
How far in advance should I book hotels for June in LA?
For the first two weeks of June, booking 3-4 weeks ahead typically secures good rates at mid-range properties. The last two weeks of June, when schools let out, see a noticeable uptick in demand, especially at beach-area hotels. For popular properties in Santa Monica or West Hollywood during Pride weekend, 6-8 weeks ahead is safer. Boutique hotels in Downtown LA and Mid-Wilshire tend to have more last-minute availability year-round.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in during June?
West Hollywood and Mid-Wilshire offer a good balance. They're inland enough that morning fog clears earlier than the coast, central enough for easy access to both beach neighborhoods and eastside spots like Silver Lake and Los Feliz, and within a reasonable drive of the Hollywood Bowl and Griffith Park. Santa Monica is still a strong choice if you don't mind overcast mornings and want walkability to the pier, beach, and the Third Street Promenade.
Is LA Pride worth planning a trip around?
If you're an LGBTQ+ traveler or ally who enjoys large-scale festivals, LA Pride in West Hollywood is one of the longest-running celebrations in the country, dating to 1970. The parade along Santa Monica Boulevard draws hundreds of thousands of spectators, and the surrounding bars and restaurants in WeHo participate with events all weekend. Mind you, it does make the neighborhood significantly more crowded and accommodation in West Hollywood books up earlier that week.
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