From the rugged coastline of the Pacific Coast Highway and wine-lovers paradise of Napa Valley to the cosmopolitan cities of Seattle and San Francisco, West Coast USA has everything you need for an epic American getaway.
Similar to the UK, West Coast USA is a four seasons destination, with spring (March-May), summer (June-August), fall/autumn (September-November) and winter (December-February). Due to the vast size of the West Coast and the diverse landscapes you’ll find across the three states, temperatures can vary significantly, with warmer weather in southern states like California and cooler temperatures in Washington and Oregon. Summer is typically warm, with temperatures averaging around 27°C, while fall sees the more northern western states erupt into glorious technicolour with the changing of the leaves. While winter can be fairly mild in southern California, temperatures dip significantly in Washington with snow a real possibility.
We experienced some of America´s greatest sights. There was a great variety of cities and natural wonders. The hotels were excellent and the tour guide was very knowledgeable.
What to expect from West Coast USA in January
Winter in West Coast USA sees cold temperatures in the more northern states of Washington and Oregon, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to a low of -2°C, with snowfall and snow cover likely. California is naturally a lot warmer, with L.A. enjoying mild Januarys with an average high of 20°C. San Francisco can see highs of 14°C but be prepared to wrap up as the weather in this coastal city is highly changeable.
Festivals and events in January
- Rose Parade
- Annual New Year celebration held on 1st January in Pasadena, California
- Colourful parade features floral-decorated floats, equestrian units and marching bands
- San Francisco ZAP Wine festival
- Runs at the end of January in San Francisco
- Three-day wine and food festival, showcasing the best Zinfandel wines in the world
- Ticketed event, with the highlight being the all-day Grand Tasting, featuring over 100 wines
What to expect from West Coast USA in February
February is one of the coldest months in Oregon, with low temperatures and heavy rainfall. Washington also is chilly in February, however with spring around the corner it’s still a good time for some sightseeing, without the usual crowds. Los Angeles enjoys daily highs of 18°C, with an average of nine hours of sunshine each day and the occasional rain shower.
Festivals and events in February
- Chinese New Year
- San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade
- The largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia
- Started in the 1860s and is held during the weekend of the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair (typically end of Feb)
- Huge parade, lasting over two hours, with decorated floats, elaborate costumes, firecrackers, Golden Dragon and newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A
- L.A. Golden Dragon Parade
- Annual event running for over 125 years in Los Angeles
- Large parade in Chinatown, including live performances, lion dancers and music
- Indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine from the numerous food trucks that line the streets
What to expect from West Coast USA in March
March marks the start of spring in America and is one of the best months to head outdoors and explore the West Coast’s national parks. While Yosemite is still fairly cool, with average temperatures hovering around 7°C, you can expect highs of around 21°C in L.A. and up to 25°C in Palm Springs.
Festivals and events in March
- St Patrick’s Day
- Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco, usually held on a Saturday.
- Big parade followed by traditional and contemporary live Irish music and dancing
- L.A. hosts two parades – one Downtown and one along Hermosa Beach
What to expect from West Coast USA in April
April is a great month to explore Los Angeles and make the most of the city’s golden beaches thanks to the warm daytime temperatures. The sea is still cool, with an average temperature of 15°C, so it’s not quite swimming weather yet. Further up the coast, Washington enjoys mild temperatures around 14°C, although it can heat up significantly as you get closer to May.
Festivals and events in April
- Coachella
- One of the biggest music festivals in the world
- Held in Indio, Coachella Valley in Southern California, over two consecutive three-day weekends in April
- Stagecoach Festival
- California’s biggest country music festival
- Held in Indio, the weekend after Coachella
- Los Angeles Pizza City Fest
- Ticketed event held end of April, over two days at L.A. LIVE
- Brings together some of the best of Southern California’s pizza makers. Opportunity to taste, see live demos and attend panel discussions with pizza experts
- San Diego Lakeside Rodeo
- Annual weekend-long event held at the end of April
- Traditional rodeo including events like bull riding and barrel racing
- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
- Held in San Francisco over two consecutive weekends at the end of April
- Celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture and heritage
- Live traditional music, martial arts demonstrations, dance performances and traditional crafts
- Festival ends with a parade through the streets of San Francisco
What to expect from West Coast USA in May
National parks across the West Coast USA are looking spectacular in May. It’s a good month to explore the great outdoors, before the busy summer season arrives. May is also an excellent time of year to visit California’s grand waterfalls, with many at their peak thanks to recent rainfall. If visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is on your must-see list, May is ideal for viewing this man-made wonder in its entirety, without the summer fog.
Festivals and events
L.A. County Fair
- 16-day event held in May
- Celebration of the diverse communities that live in Los Angeles
- Fairground, music, food, animal and agricultural displays, crafts and interactive exhibits
- Renaissance Pleasure Faire (April to May)
- Held on Saturdays and Sundays throughout April and May in Irwindale, California
- Elizabethan-era England themed fair, with jousting tournaments, authentic costume and performances
- Carnaval San Francisco
- Annual street parade and festive in San Francisco, held on the last weekend of May
- Celebrating Latin American and Caribbean culture, through music, dance, food and arts and crafts
- Free two-day festival ends with a grand parade
What to expect from West Coast USA in June
As summer arrives, expect temperatures to rise across West Coast USA. Washington state enjoys an average temperature of 24°C, with highs of up to 29°C, and very few rain showers. Oregon is slightly cooler with an average temperature of 20°C, making it pleasant conditions for hiking or mountain biking. California is sunny and hot throughout June, with beaches offering a refreshing coastal breeze.
Festivals and events in June
- San Francisco Juneteenth
- Federal holiday on June 19th commemorating the end of slavery in America
- Free event held in San Francisco featuring a fairground, live musical performances and large food and artisan market
What to expect from West Coast USA in July
With hot sunny days and huge national celebrations, it’s no surprise that July is a popular time of year to visit the West Coast. With an average temperature of 19°C, Oregon state is pleasant and warm, but is susceptible to the summer fog that also descends on San Francisco Bay and northern California at this time of year.
Festivals and events in July
- Independence Day
- 4th of July. A federal holiday in the US, commemorating the Declaration of Independence
- Celebrations held across the country, with many parades and firework displays
- San Diego Comic-Con
- Annual convention held at the end of July
- Largest comic and pop culture event in the US
- Chance to meet celebrities, see movie memorabilia, buy comics and collectibles, and explore the exhibitions
What to expect from West Coast USA in August
School holidays and plenty of sunshine make August a busy time to visit the West Coast of America. Now is the perfect time to visit Portland, Oregon, with warmer temperatures, flowers blooming and plenty of festivals to enjoy. Summer in Seattle is also beautiful, with temperatures averaging 22°C – perfect for a cruise around Lake Washington.
Festivals and events in August
- Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering
- Annual festival celebrating the culture and history of cowboy poetry and cowboy music
- Held in Prescott Arizona, just inland from the West Coast
- San Diego Bike the Bay
- A non-competitive, non-timed bike ride around San Diego’s coastline
- 25-mile bike ride for all ages and skill levels, with plenty of bike hire options for visitors
- Great way to see the city from the comfort of your own saddle
- Arizona World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo
- Traditional, family-friendly rodeo bringing western culture to life
- Expect bull riding, parades, live music and food
- Held in Payson Arizona, just inland from the West Coast
What to expect from West Coast USA in September
As autumn arrives, much like in the UK, temperatures start to dip slightly – although some areas enjoy their best weather throughout September, in particular San Francisco which is warm and sunny as the summer fog lifts. Typically, what’s regarded as the shoulder season (the time between a region's peak season and offseason), September enjoys less crowds than the summer rush. One of the best times to visit the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley is during Fall, in the morning, and September offers excellent conditions to experience this awe-inspiring landscape.
Festivals and events in September
- Monterey Jazz Festival
- Three-day jazz music festival held at the end of September
- Chance to see legendary jazz musicians and up-and-coming artists at this open-air event
- San Diego Bayfair
- Southern California’s largest annual beach festival
- Popular event where you can watch powerboat competitions, hydro games and live music
- San Francisco Comedy Day
- Annual free comedy festival held in Golden Gate Park
- One-day event features a line-up of around 50 comedians each year
What to expect from West Coast USA in October
As autumn settles in, the north of the West Coast welcomes the arrival of the changing of the leaves, and it's a spooky month as the whole nation gears up to celebrate Halloween on the 31st of October. Oregon and Washington’s glorious fall foliage is at its peak mid-October, where you’ll be treated to a colourful display of reds, oranges, and yellows. While temperature-wise it’s often t-shirt weather in these states, it’s wise to pack plenty of layers, especially as evenings can get quite cold. Much like the Grand Canyon, the best time to visit Alcatraz is in the morning, during Fall, so October is a good month to make the trip.
What to expect from West Coast USA in November
Thanksgiving is one of America’s biggest national holidays and, as you’d expect, this means that domestic travel is at its peak and many flights and hotels reflect the demand through increased prices. Despite this, experiencing Thanksgiving in West Coast USA is an unforgettable experience. While temperatures continue to drop, Los Angeles can reach over 25°C and Washington averages 13°C, although humidity does start to increase in the region.
Festivals and events in November
- Thanksgiving
- National holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year
- Traditionally a day of thanksgiving and a harvest festival
- Marked with huge feasts, where friends and family come together to celebrate
- Often regarded as the start of the festive holiday season
What to expect from West Coast USA in December
Temperatures cool significantly as winter sets in, with areas of both Oregon and Washington state often seeing snow on the coldest December days. Mainland regions in both Oregon and Washington can get quite wet and humid throughout December, and coastlines can get windy, however Southern California continues to enjoy mainly dry and sunny days, with average L.A. temperatures around 20°C. December is a good month to explore the Californian desert, with Palm Springs averaging a comfortable 21°C, with clear blue skies.
Festivals and events in December
- Christmas
- The Hollywood Christmas Parade
- Annual parade in Los Angeles, usually held the weekend after Thanksgiving
- Star-studded event to raise money for charities
- Giant parade with floats and balloons, equestrian displays, marching bands, dance groups and live performances
- San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Holiday Boat Parade
- Typically held mid-December, this is the oldest and largest lighted holiday boat parade in San Francisco
- Over 60 boats festooned with lights and festive decorations take to San Francisco Bay to parade along the waterfront
Great trip which covered so many amazing places. Our tour manager, Patricia, was so knowledgeable about all the places we visited and ensured everything ran smoothly.
Our holidays to West Coast USA
Frequently asked questions
Western America – also known as the Western United States, the American West or the Far West – is a region made up of the westernmost states of America. The 11 contiguous Western States comprise of the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. However, geographically –as defined by the Census Bureau – the Western States also include Alaska and Hawaii.
The West Coast of America is different to Western America. Also referred to as the Pacific Coast, and the Western Seaboard, West Coast USA is the coastline along which the Western United States meets the North Pacific Ocean. Typically, the states that make up the West Coast of America are defined as California, Oregon, and Washington, but sometimes includes Alaska and Hawaii.
Similar to the UK, West Coast USA enjoys four distinct seasons. Spring, characterised by mild temperatures, sunshine, and occasional rain, runs from March to May. Summer, where you can expect hot temperatures and plenty of sun, runs from June to August. Fall (or autumn) – September-November – sees temperatures cool and rainfall increase. Finally, winter runs from December to February. During these months you can expect cold temperatures and even snow in more northern states.
The state of Arizona can get incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching well over 40°C in summer. If you want to avoid the excessive Arizona heat (typically lasting from May through to September) it’s best to visit during the winter months of December to February.
Average temperatures by month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Seattle | 5°C | 7°C | 8°C | 10°C | 13°C | 16°C | 18°C | 18°C | 16°C | 12°C | 8°C | 5°C |
| Portland | 6°C | 7°C | 8°C | 9°C | 12°C | 14°C | 17°C | 17°C | 16°C | 12°C | 9°C | 7°C |
| San Francisco | 10°C | 11°C | 11°C | 11°C | 13°C | 13°C | 14°C | 14°C | 14°C | 14°C | 13°C | 10°C |
| Los Angeles | 17°C | 17°C | 20°C | 21°C | 21°C | 23°C | 25°C | 27°C | 26°C | 25°C | 21°C | 18°C |
Average rainfall by month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Seattle | 147mm | 104mm | 98mm | 70mm | 53mm | 48mm | 24mm | 34mm | 51mm | 90mm | 145mm | 150mm |
| Portland | 60mm | 50mm | 40mm | 30mm | 30mm | 40mm | 30mm | 30mm | 50mm | 60mm | 60mm | 70mm |
| San Francisco | 119mm | 97mm | 79mm | 38mm | 18mm | 3mm | 0mm | 0mm | 8mm | 25mm | 64mm | 112mm |
| Los Angeles | 79mm | 76mm | 71mm | 25mm | 10mm | 3mm | 0mm | 0mm | 5mm | 15mm | 31mm | 66mm |