
Santa Monica in May
Great time to visit
May hits the sweet spot between perfect weather and manageable crowds. Memorial Day weekend gives you a taste of summer energy without the full tourist invasion.
Weather
May brings ideal beach weather with warm days and minimal rainfall. The marine layer becomes lighter and burns off faster, giving you more sunny hours. Ocean temperatures start becoming tolerable for swimming without a wetsuit.
23°C high15°C low2 rain days
Crowds & Cost
moderate crowds
~$225/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Memorial Day Weekend festivities
- •Santa Monica Pier concerts begin
May Tips
- •Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of beach season
- •Make dinner reservations well ahead for weekends
- •Early morning is best for parking near the beach
All Months
Santa Monica Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
7/10
Families
9/10
Adventure
5/10
Budget
4/10
Luxury
6/10
BUILD YOUR SANTA MONICA PLAN
Insider picks, smart timing, and a plan ready when you are.