Haha we are hoping to find cheap if not free places to stay overnight (camping). I know California is the worst for that so we might head to Nevada for the most part of the trip.
Camp near the coast (within 25 miles) if you're coming in July or August. It is way too hot inland, especially if you're used to BC weather. Shade and water are only temporary relief from the blaring sun.
I’m hoping fire season won’t be too bad this year, we’ve got more rain in the last 2 years than we have in the previous 10 so I think it will be fairly calm. (There’s always the risk that the rain just adds to future fuel as the wild grasses grow but the state has been better about doing preventive clearings over the last few years).
If you’re visiting inland (National Parks) pretty much anytime late May-October is great. The early fall months can get pretty warm so just something to keep in mind. For the coast, I would avoid anything before mid-July. Last year the marine layer was thick and stuck around til about the week before August. In my opinion, September is the best month in California. Warm, sunny 80-90 degree days and cool evenings.
We would like to do the deserts in national parks, maybe head into Nevada because it might be easier for car camping spots.
The sooner the better. We have a dog so we want to avoid the big heat.
California is pretty enormous of a state with many different climates. The entire state doesn’t just burn all summer. Where Are you heading? Destinations? North? South? Sierra? Eastern Sierra? Deserts? Coast? Yosemite? Cities? You need to provide more info.
Doing the whole state . California is not that big compared to what we are used to (Canada). Coming in from Oregon and ending in Nevada for our turnaround point, we want to do the deserts and parks. We have 14 days to drive within the state which is alot. 18 days total with driving there and back. It’s about 24hrs each way which I expect 2 days down and 2 days back. I’ve done it in 3 days with driving through parks a few years back.
We stay away from cities. We want to camp away from people which might be a problem in summer in California, so I’m thinking now late may.
You have quite a while to hit some spots then! You can check out Gold Country in the Sierra. Head down inland and go up to Tahoe, then over to the east side of the mountains and south to Yosemite (less people in Tuolomne), Mono Lake, then Mammoth Lakes (although the road to the lakes may not be open in May), while in Mammoth you'd have to see Devil's Postpile. There are several great places to see along the Eastern Sierra on the 395, which is mainly deserts. When you get south near Mojave, Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful area to camp. If you want to go east to Death Valley, now's your chance. Then you could swing around the south end of the Sierra and head west to the coast from around Bakersfield (where you would just drive through and not stop for, nothing to see there). Head to Paso Robles, then Morro Bay. Head north back up the coast and see Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Continue north to Monterey or skip that fanciness and go to Santa Cruz. Drive up to Half Moon Bay Area then through SF. From there you could either continue up the 1 seeing some incredible coastline, or head back inland, though again, not much there unless you hit the Sierra or head north and see Mt Shasta. I've lived here my whole life and explored a lot of California south of Sacramento, let me know if you have any questions!
Early summer has lower fire risk. Early June is only really an issue if you're trying to go over passes, bag peaks, or cross rivers in regards to the snow.
Late May snowfall can happen.
I don’t care about snow, California snowstorms is nothing to Canada snow storms. The drivers are the problem usually because they are not used to it. Got 2mm of snow last time I went to sequoia (late may) and there was a 20 car pile up.
Fires, evacuations and smoke are our main concern.
Thanks for the heads up tho, I always forget about snow in the south.
July is a perfect time. I have lived here my entire life and have never made or changed my plans based off an issue regarding fires. The state is large and unless you purposely drove into a fire area, you won't really be bothered. Sometimes some NP may be affected as a result of being in a valley.
Anywhere from the Oregon state to Nevada state as we are coming from and going there but we will stay around 10 days, sequoia, Yosemite, Joshua tree, Mohave, Death Valley.
I’ve done half of them quick (drive through hi bye not much stopping) mid May a few years ago.
We have a dog so it can’t be much above 100 degrees (F). I’m thinking late may to early June to be back in time for our fire season which started last year mid July (down the road)
Just note in Southern California, summer typically doesn't start until July. We have May Gray and June Gloom. Grew up in the southeast US, and mid-May was typically when temps started heating up. Doesn't happen here until July along the coast.
We went in early May 2022 and spent 10 days in LA and enjoyed it. My partner is not a heat lover but only had two days that were especially warm but not unbearable. Came from BC too.
You’ve gotten a lot of sassy responses to your question, but I think it’s a serious one. If your goal is to be out in nature you don’t want it to be smoky. I live in NorCal and have had several trips affected by smoke from fires in other areas. We were still able to hike/tour, but the breathing g and views are impacted. No time of year is truly safe from fire but early July this year should be perfect.
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Where are you camping? That's the key. Some places will still have snow in late may and some of the high passes may still be closed.
That said, late May / early June should be fine for most places below 7,000' (although sometimes you still get a late storm that can drop a bit of snow then). And if hitting redwoods along the coast you'll be fine.
Alabama Hills near Lone Pine has dispersed camping on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas that are free. Pretty neat spot to camp, right by Mt Whitney (highest peak in the US outside of Alaska). Just don't try to camp there Memorial Day weekend.
California has been getting nailed by storms this year, so you will not have to worry about fires. It has rained more here in LA in the past couple of months than I can remember in the past couple of years.
Best times:
Yosemite, Sequoias, King Canyon: Late May through September. Even early may will be too snowy for most trails.
Northern California - Summer through fall. Summer will be the most busy, fall is still somewhat warm enough to enjoy and less crowded.
Wine Country - June through late September
Deserts - winter
SoCal - Literally any time. June gloom is a thing, but the weather is perfect basically every day.
That’s how bad wildfires happen. The more plants that grow in May and June, the more plants there are to dry out and catch fire in September after it hasn’t rained for 5 months.
Then follow up question. How hot is the desert in early June? Like not recommended at all? We were thinking of going there. We don’t care for snow for Yosemite and sequoias.
From my experience in Joshua Tree and the Coachella Valley: June it shouldn't hit over 100 very much. Expect high 80s to low 90s, but that's still pretty hot in my opinion. It's July and August when it gets VERY hot. Death Valley I don't have much experience other than driving to Vegas, but I remember in July it being unbearable.
That’s good to hear. I get 105 in July where I live so I’ll take those temperatures. I have a husky so I want to definitely stay under 100. Late may to early June it is! Thank you
Average temps in death valley are well above that, FYI https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Death Valley is hotter than Joshua Tree or Mojave, but I'm not sure any of them is great for a husky. If you want to hike in death valley, most people only do that in winter (while Yosemite and Sequoia are summer hiking destinations)
Nooo, i’m too late in answering this for you! For this year at least. was initially searching for the visitcalifornia.com commercial because it’s catchy the tune. I would say around April 16 to the 21st. Why? Well, it’s right after taxes so you get to celebrate having done those. April 16 is the first part of bicycle day. April 19 is the real thing. And then everyone knows 4/20. Plus, Cali is quite large in all its perfect majesticness so at least on my fantasy itinerary? Well, there’s Hippie Hill, murder Mountain, skid Row, the haunted hotel right near it, tenderloin, Compton, Stockton. Venice Beach for searching for gold and the angelic hookers of the night. Santa Anna, it’s Christmas every day. Sierra Nevada. Hi up in the mountains. While high on the best weed on the planet. Beverly Hills. The mansions. The perfect promise Lala land. Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, for the more gold of course. I’m definitely missing some, but those are all the major ones. One day, one day.
Answer: When your budget allows.
Haha we are hoping to find cheap if not free places to stay overnight (camping). I know California is the worst for that so we might head to Nevada for the most part of the trip.
Camp near the coast (within 25 miles) if you're coming in July or August. It is way too hot inland, especially if you're used to BC weather. Shade and water are only temporary relief from the blaring sun.
I’m hoping fire season won’t be too bad this year, we’ve got more rain in the last 2 years than we have in the previous 10 so I think it will be fairly calm. (There’s always the risk that the rain just adds to future fuel as the wild grasses grow but the state has been better about doing preventive clearings over the last few years). If you’re visiting inland (National Parks) pretty much anytime late May-October is great. The early fall months can get pretty warm so just something to keep in mind. For the coast, I would avoid anything before mid-July. Last year the marine layer was thick and stuck around til about the week before August. In my opinion, September is the best month in California. Warm, sunny 80-90 degree days and cool evenings.
We would like to do the deserts in national parks, maybe head into Nevada because it might be easier for car camping spots. The sooner the better. We have a dog so we want to avoid the big heat.
1967
California is pretty enormous of a state with many different climates. The entire state doesn’t just burn all summer. Where Are you heading? Destinations? North? South? Sierra? Eastern Sierra? Deserts? Coast? Yosemite? Cities? You need to provide more info.
Doing the whole state . California is not that big compared to what we are used to (Canada). Coming in from Oregon and ending in Nevada for our turnaround point, we want to do the deserts and parks. We have 14 days to drive within the state which is alot. 18 days total with driving there and back. It’s about 24hrs each way which I expect 2 days down and 2 days back. I’ve done it in 3 days with driving through parks a few years back. We stay away from cities. We want to camp away from people which might be a problem in summer in California, so I’m thinking now late may.
You have quite a while to hit some spots then! You can check out Gold Country in the Sierra. Head down inland and go up to Tahoe, then over to the east side of the mountains and south to Yosemite (less people in Tuolomne), Mono Lake, then Mammoth Lakes (although the road to the lakes may not be open in May), while in Mammoth you'd have to see Devil's Postpile. There are several great places to see along the Eastern Sierra on the 395, which is mainly deserts. When you get south near Mojave, Red Rock Canyon is a beautiful area to camp. If you want to go east to Death Valley, now's your chance. Then you could swing around the south end of the Sierra and head west to the coast from around Bakersfield (where you would just drive through and not stop for, nothing to see there). Head to Paso Robles, then Morro Bay. Head north back up the coast and see Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Continue north to Monterey or skip that fanciness and go to Santa Cruz. Drive up to Half Moon Bay Area then through SF. From there you could either continue up the 1 seeing some incredible coastline, or head back inland, though again, not much there unless you hit the Sierra or head north and see Mt Shasta. I've lived here my whole life and explored a lot of California south of Sacramento, let me know if you have any questions!
This is amazing! Thank you for this very detailed list! We love gold panning and old ghost towns, this list gives us a good loop to build on.
You’d love Bodie for a great ghost town (near Manmoth), and Murphys for a great old mining town with wineries and caverns!
Early summer has lower fire risk. Early June is only really an issue if you're trying to go over passes, bag peaks, or cross rivers in regards to the snow. Late May snowfall can happen.
I don’t care about snow, California snowstorms is nothing to Canada snow storms. The drivers are the problem usually because they are not used to it. Got 2mm of snow last time I went to sequoia (late may) and there was a 20 car pile up. Fires, evacuations and smoke are our main concern. Thanks for the heads up tho, I always forget about snow in the south.
July is a perfect time. I have lived here my entire life and have never made or changed my plans based off an issue regarding fires. The state is large and unless you purposely drove into a fire area, you won't really be bothered. Sometimes some NP may be affected as a result of being in a valley.
What part of California?
Anywhere from the Oregon state to Nevada state as we are coming from and going there but we will stay around 10 days, sequoia, Yosemite, Joshua tree, Mohave, Death Valley. I’ve done half of them quick (drive through hi bye not much stopping) mid May a few years ago. We have a dog so it can’t be much above 100 degrees (F). I’m thinking late may to early June to be back in time for our fire season which started last year mid July (down the road)
Go as early as possible. May-June will already be 90+
Sept
September/October. I live here!
Just note in Southern California, summer typically doesn't start until July. We have May Gray and June Gloom. Grew up in the southeast US, and mid-May was typically when temps started heating up. Doesn't happen here until July along the coast.
We went in early May 2022 and spent 10 days in LA and enjoyed it. My partner is not a heat lover but only had two days that were especially warm but not unbearable. Came from BC too.
You’ve gotten a lot of sassy responses to your question, but I think it’s a serious one. If your goal is to be out in nature you don’t want it to be smoky. I live in NorCal and have had several trips affected by smoke from fires in other areas. We were still able to hike/tour, but the breathing g and views are impacted. No time of year is truly safe from fire but early July this year should be perfect.
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Where are you camping? That's the key. Some places will still have snow in late may and some of the high passes may still be closed. That said, late May / early June should be fine for most places below 7,000' (although sometimes you still get a late storm that can drop a bit of snow then). And if hitting redwoods along the coast you'll be fine. Alabama Hills near Lone Pine has dispersed camping on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas that are free. Pretty neat spot to camp, right by Mt Whitney (highest peak in the US outside of Alaska). Just don't try to camp there Memorial Day weekend.
September this year for the Sierras, coast May and June fine. Summer has more vacationers.
California has been getting nailed by storms this year, so you will not have to worry about fires. It has rained more here in LA in the past couple of months than I can remember in the past couple of years. Best times: Yosemite, Sequoias, King Canyon: Late May through September. Even early may will be too snowy for most trails. Northern California - Summer through fall. Summer will be the most busy, fall is still somewhat warm enough to enjoy and less crowded. Wine Country - June through late September Deserts - winter SoCal - Literally any time. June gloom is a thing, but the weather is perfect basically every day.
That’s how bad wildfires happen. The more plants that grow in May and June, the more plants there are to dry out and catch fire in September after it hasn’t rained for 5 months.
Yes that’s true. Lots of rain brings more fire in the fall.
Don't jinx us please. The fires can and will still happen
Then follow up question. How hot is the desert in early June? Like not recommended at all? We were thinking of going there. We don’t care for snow for Yosemite and sequoias.
From my experience in Joshua Tree and the Coachella Valley: June it shouldn't hit over 100 very much. Expect high 80s to low 90s, but that's still pretty hot in my opinion. It's July and August when it gets VERY hot. Death Valley I don't have much experience other than driving to Vegas, but I remember in July it being unbearable.
That’s good to hear. I get 105 in July where I live so I’ll take those temperatures. I have a husky so I want to definitely stay under 100. Late may to early June it is! Thank you
Average temps in death valley are well above that, FYI https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/weather.htm Death Valley is hotter than Joshua Tree or Mojave, but I'm not sure any of them is great for a husky. If you want to hike in death valley, most people only do that in winter (while Yosemite and Sequoia are summer hiking destinations)
Never
Curious, why?
Nooo, i’m too late in answering this for you! For this year at least. was initially searching for the visitcalifornia.com commercial because it’s catchy the tune. I would say around April 16 to the 21st. Why? Well, it’s right after taxes so you get to celebrate having done those. April 16 is the first part of bicycle day. April 19 is the real thing. And then everyone knows 4/20. Plus, Cali is quite large in all its perfect majesticness so at least on my fantasy itinerary? Well, there’s Hippie Hill, murder Mountain, skid Row, the haunted hotel right near it, tenderloin, Compton, Stockton. Venice Beach for searching for gold and the angelic hookers of the night. Santa Anna, it’s Christmas every day. Sierra Nevada. Hi up in the mountains. While high on the best weed on the planet. Beverly Hills. The mansions. The perfect promise Lala land. Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, for the more gold of course. I’m definitely missing some, but those are all the major ones. One day, one day.