Late spring · Weather & things to do
Los Angeles in May
Los Angeles warms up: highs climb to 78°F (25°C), from 73°F in April, with lows of 56°F (14°C) and about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain.
At 100/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 78°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 0.4 in (9 mm)
- Humidity
- 62%
- Cloud cover
- 29%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 46 min
- Comfort score
- 100/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs settle around 78°F (25°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 56°F (14°C).
It's one of the drier stretches, with only about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain.
Clear skies are common, with cloud cover averaging only 29%.
Plan around May
May is one of Los Angeles's best months on the climate data.
- Comfort holds steady from April (98 → 100/100).
- May sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes78°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Los Angeles in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Largest art museum in the West, home to the Urban Light lamppost installation.
Griffith Observatory
Free observatory with Hollywood Sign and downtown views from the terraces.
Musso & Frank Grill
Hollywood's oldest restaurant (1919), known for its martinis.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Beach promenade with street performers, the skate park and Muscle Beach.
Why now May scores 100/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Grand Central Market
Food hall since 1917 with stalls for tacos, egg sandwiches and pupusas.
Nearby in May
- Hollywood in May~6 mi · highs 77°F, 0.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Pasadena in May~9 mi · highs 76°F, 0.4 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Santa Barbara in May~87 mi · highs 73°F, 0.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Palm Springs in May~99 mi · highs 94°F, 0.1 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown LA and Downtown Los Angeles.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~395 m to Los Angeles's ~88 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Los Angeles in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Los Angeles?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 100/100. Expect highs of 78°F (25°C) and 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain. May is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is Los Angeles in May?
Average highs are 78°F (25°C) and average lows 56°F (14°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in May?
Not much: about 0.4 in (9 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 13.1 in (332 mm).
What should I pack for Los Angeles in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (78°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Los Angeles
Routes in season in May
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning Los Angeles in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.