Los Angeles · Month comparison
February vs April
April ranks #1 overall vs February at #7. Coachella, perfect weather, and golden afternoon light — the most photographed LA month.
February
#7 of 12 months
Best match
Oscar season energy, low prices, and the first warm weekends of the year.
- ↑The Academy Awards (typically late February) electrifies the Westside. The red carpet at the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Blvd draws tens of thousands of onlookers; the surrounding bars and restaurants run Oscar-themed events for two weeks beforehand. Even without tickets, the atmosphere is contagious.
- ↑February weather is noticeably more stable than January — the bulk of the rainy season has passed and clear-sky stretches of 7–10 days are common. Temperatures hit 20–22°C on the warmest days, and hiking trails at Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood Hills are at their greenest.
April
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Coachella, perfect weather, and golden afternoon light — the most photographed LA month.
- ↑Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (two weekends in mid-April, approximately 125,000 attendees per weekend) sends a wave of creative energy through LA before, during, and after the event. Even without attending, the city's pool parties, brand activations, and ancillary events are open and atmospheric. The drive out on I-10 to Indio passes through the windmill fields at Palm Springs — worth the three-hour round trip.
- ↑April delivers the best average weather of the entire year — 23°C highs, near-zero rainfall, 9+ hours of daily sunshine, and a dry clarity that makes every view across the city crisp. Sunsets over the Pacific from the Palisades or Point Dume are extraordinary.
| Factor | February | April |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 7 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 6 |
| Events score | 7 | 9 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 20.3°C | 23.2°C |
| Monthly rain | 70mm | 20mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7.5hrs | 9.1hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓Oscar week specifically (the 7–10 days surrounding the ceremony) does drive hotel price spikes in Hollywood and West Hollywood — sometimes 20–30% above the usual February rate. Book early or stay further east in Silver Lake.
- ↓February can still bring storm fronts. While lighter than January, rainfall can disrupt outdoor plans for a day or two, particularly in the beach communities where overcast mornings stretch into the afternoon.
April trade-offs
- ↓Coachella weekends drive hotel and Airbnb prices up across Greater LA — not just in Palm Springs. West Hollywood and Silver Lake properties can spike 20–30% on Coachella festival weekends. Book accommodation 2–3 months ahead.
- ↓Tourism builds noticeably through April. The Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Griffith Observatory car parks fill by 10am on weekends. Arrive at popular spots early or use the Dodger Stadium Express and other transit options.
Scores compare months within Los Angeles. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →