September: 86 places at their best

United States, North America

Los Angeles in April

Clear and green. Coachella weekends, two hours east, fill desert hotels.

BestPleasant, highs near 73F (23C)
Downtown Los Angeles below the San Gabriel Mountains
Los AngelesPhoto: Nserrano, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Los Angeles. Clear and green. Coachella weekends, two hours east, fill desert hotels.

Weather
Pleasant, highs near 73F (23C)
Crowds
3 of 5
Prices
3 of 5

What April is like in Los Angeles

April is one of the best months in Los Angeles. Highs sit near 73F (23C), skies are mostly clear, and the hills are still green. Crowds are moderate and prices are middle of the road, though spring break weeks and Easter can fill the theme parks. The ocean is still chilly, so beach days are for walking, not swimming.

This month suits almost everyone: first-time visitors, families, hikers, and food lovers. Music fans can add Coachella in the desert, though desert hotels sell out fast. The only people who should wait are those who want warm water; for that, plan on August or September.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Los Angeles this month.

01

Coachella weekends

The festival runs two weekends in Indio, about two to three hours east. Even if you skip it, know that desert hotels fill up and prices jump those weekends.

02

Perfect hiking weather

Mild temperatures and green hills make April the sweet spot for the Santa Monica Mountains before summer heat and fire season.

03

Clear evenings at Griffith Observatory

Sunsets are clear and comfortable. A weekday evening visit gives you city lights with fewer people.

What to pack for April

  • A light jacket for breezy evenings
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Comfortable shoes for hikes and city walking
  • A reusable water bottle

Our timing tip

If you are staying in the desert or driving east, check the Coachella weekends before booking, because Palm Springs area rates spike on both.

Book Los Angeles for April.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

What's on in April

Things to do in Los Angeles

Full guide
01

Griffith Observatory

Free, with the best view of the Hollywood sign and the city lights. Closed Mondays; weekday evenings are calmest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

02

The Getty Center

Free admission (paid parking) with art, gardens, and city views. Closed Mondays.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

03

Universal Studios Hollywood

Go midweek outside summer and holidays. Early entry helps.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

04

Disneyland Resort

In Anaheim, about an hour from downtown without traffic. Weekdays in fall and late winter have the lowest crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

05

LACMA

The largest art museum in the western US. Urban Light is best at dusk.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

06

Santa Monica Pier and the beach

Go early in the morning or at sunset. Bike the beach path to Venice.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

  • Plan days by neighborhood. LA traffic makes crossing town twice in one day a mistake.
  • Hit the theme parks midweek in September, late January, or early February for the shortest lines.
  • Do Griffith Observatory and the beach early; parking fills by late morning on weekends.
  • Stay near where you will spend most of your time: Santa Monica for beaches, Hollywood for the observatory and Universal, Anaheim for Disneyland.

Know before you go

  • Several major museums, including the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory, close on Mondays.
  • Wildfire danger peaks with Santa Ana winds from fall into winter. Parks and trails in the Santa Monica Mountains can close during red flag warnings.
  • Big storms in winter can close canyon roads and some trails for a few days.

Los Angeles in April, quick answers

Is April a good time to visit Los Angeles?

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Los Angeles. Clear and green. Coachella weekends, two hours east, fill desert hotels.

What is the weather like in Los Angeles in April?

Pleasant, highs near 73F (23C).

Is Los Angeles crowded in April?

Crowds in Los Angeles are moderate in April; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Los Angeles in April?

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (two weekends in april).

Keep planning Los Angeles.

The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.

  1. 01Los Angeles in MarchThe month before: Mild, highs near 70F (21C)Good
  2. 02Los Angeles in MayThe month after: Pleasant, highs near 74F (23C), May GrayBest
  3. 03The full Los Angeles yearEvery month, graded12 months

Also at their best in April

Everywhere in April

Where else is good in April?

Tell us when you can go and what kind of trip you want. We rank every place we cover for that exact month.

What kind of trip? Pick any.

Before you book.

Sort these two things first.

Sponsored links. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

  • Travel insurance.

    Faye

    A missed connection, a bag that never turns up, a hospital abroad: far cheaper to cover before departure than to argue about after.

    Visit Faye
  • eSIM data.

    Saily

    Set up an eSIM before you fly so your phone has data the moment you land, without roaming charges.

    Visit Saily

Our top-rated travel gear

Whatever you decide, this is the gear we actually travel with: verified, priced, and ranked. Live price check on each.

Packing CubesEagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Compression Set

Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Compression Set

compression set

Check price ~$50
ChargerAnker Nano II 65W

Anker Nano II 65W

65W GaN listed

Check price ~$30
TrackerApple AirTag (4-Pack)

Apple AirTag (4-Pack)

4 per pack listed

Check price ~$89
Travel PillowTrtl Travel Pillow

Trtl Travel Pillow

packs flat

Check price ~$65
AdapterEPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter

all-region listed

Check price ~$20
Luggage ScaleEtekcity Luggage Scale

Etekcity Luggage Scale

handheld hook

Check price ~$10

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.