West Coast in October

Summer means perfect weather but also peak crowds and prices that'll make you wince. June through September delivers those postcard-perfect days—75°F and sunny in San Francisco, 85°F in LA, comfortable hiking weather in the Pacific Northwest. But here's the thing: shoulder seasons offer better deals and fewer tourists. April and May bring wildflower blooms to California and decent weather before the summer rush. October extends beach season in Southern California while fall colors light up Oregon's forests. Winter gets a bad rap, but December through February means storm watching on the Oregon coast, skiing in Tahoe, and empty beaches in San Diego. Sure, Seattle gets gray and rainy, but that's when you discover why locals love their coffee shops so much. Spring break crowds hit Southern California beaches in March, so factor that into your planning. The marine layer can blanket coastal areas in June—locals call it 'June gloom'—but it usually burns off by afternoon.