Weather | 15–26°C (59–79°F), warm and dry | 11–22°C (52–72°F), mild with a chance of rain | 9–19°C (48–66°F), cooler evenings and more winter feel |
Crowds | Moderate, with Halloween spikes | Moderate, with Thanksgiving-week spikes | Moderate overall, then high around Christmas and New Year’s |
Atmosphere | Halloween season, outdoor-heavy | Mixed season: film buzz, memorial dates, early holidays | Full holiday mode with lights, NYE events, and family travel |
Key events | Halloween Horror Nights, AFI Fest buildup, Día de los Muertos previews | Día de los Muertos, AFI Fest, Thanksgiving, Hollywood Christmas Parade | LA Zoo Lights, Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, New Year’s Eve |
Public holidays | None citywide | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving | Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve |
Budget | Steady, with some weekend rises | Mid-month reasonable; Thanksgiving week costs jump | Higher during Christmas week and New Year’s |
Best for | Warm-weather city breaks and Halloween fans | Balanced first trip, shopping, museums, and studio days | Holiday trips, light displays, and family travel |
Book early? | Yes for Halloween events and big weekends | Yes for Thanksgiving week, Black Friday stays, and Disneyland/Universal weekends | Yes for Christmas week, NYE, and holiday attractions |
Transport tips | Watch for Halloween road closures in West Hollywood | Thanksgiving traffic is real; leave buffer time for airport runs and outlet shopping | Holiday traffic builds near major malls, ice rinks, and event zones |