Long Beach in December
Not the best time
December brings Long Beach's winter personality with cooler weather and holiday charm. It's not beach weather, but the Queen Mary's holiday decorations and harbor light displays create their own magic.
Weather
December brings cooler weather with highs in the upper 60s and nights that can drop into the upper 40s. Rain becomes more frequent with several storms possible, though heavy downpours are rare. Marine layer returns more consistently.
20°C high9°C low5 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$145/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Christmas harbor light displays
- •New Year's Eve fireworks
- •Holiday markets and festivals
December Tips
- •Holiday events create pockets of crowds despite off-season
- •Pack rain gear and warm layers
- •Hotel deals available except around New Year's Eve
All Months
April through October gives you the best weather, but here's the thing — Long Beach stays pretty mild year-round. Summer temperatures hover in the mid-70s to low 80s thanks to ocean breezes, making it more comfortable than inland LA.
May and September hit the sweet spot. You get warm beach weather without the summer crowds or peak season hotel prices. The Grand Prix of Long Beach happens in April, which brings excitement but also higher prices and traffic.
Winter isn't a write-off either. December through March sees temperatures in the 60s and occasional rain, but you'll have attractions mostly to yourself. The Queen Mary's holiday decorations are actually worth seeing, and restaurant reservations become much easier to snag.
Avoid the first weekend in August if you hate crowds — that's when the Long Beach Jazz Festival takes over Rainbow Harbor.
Long Beach Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
9/10
Adventure
5/10
Budget
6/10
Luxury
6/10
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