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Weather in December in California

Are you planning a trip a to California in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What is the weather like in California in December?

California is a region in the United States of America. The weather in California in December can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to pleasant and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Sequoia National Park at 2°C to pleasant in Brawley at 21°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 5°C in Brawley and -10°C in Sequoia National Park. Although December is typically the coldest month, there are still areas in California where the temperatures are mild, allowing for a comfortable visit any time of the year.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Furnace Creek with an average of 8.8 mm to heavy rainfall in Crescent City with 351 mm. Based on climate data from the last 30 years, Los Angeles receives the most rainfall during this month of the year.

Average sunshine

Meanwhile, Los Angeles enjoys close to 220 hours of sunlight. This means it's a great month if you prefer bright and sunny days.

For specific regional insights in California for December, refer to the map provided below. For an in-depth overview of the yearly weather conditions, do visit our California climate page.

Where to go in California in December

Find more information for the most popular destinations in the California on the map below. Click on a destination dot for more detailes.

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

Popular destinations

What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in California?

Los Angeles

In December Los Angeles generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 18°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

Los Angeles
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
22°C 
12°C 
217 hours 
15 mm 
4 days 
18°C 
9°C 
220 hours 
61 mm 
8 days 
January   >> January
>>  
20°C 
9°C 
224 hours 
49 mm 
5 days 
Climate in Los Angeles

Big Bear Lake

In December Big Bear Lake generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -6°C and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Big Bear Lake
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
14°C 
-3°C 
31 mm 
5 days 
9°C 
-6°C 
136 mm 
8 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
9°C 
-6°C 
92 mm 
5 days 
poor 
Climate in Big Bear Lake

San Francisco

In December San Francisco generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

San Francisco
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
18°C 
9°C 
173 hours 
43 mm 
8 days 
14°C 
7°C 
160 hours 
112 mm 
13 days 
January   >> January
>>  
14°C 
7°C 
186 hours 
70 mm 
9 days 
Climate in San Francisco

San Diego

In December San Diego generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 19°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

San Diego
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
22°C 
12°C 
230 hours 
22 mm 
4 days 
19°C 
9°C 
231 hours 
59 mm 
7 days 
January   >> January
>>  
20°C 
9°C 
240 hours 
35 mm 
5 days 
Climate in San Diego

Anaheim

In December Anaheim generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 8°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

Anaheim
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly rainfall precipitationRainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
24°C 
11°C 
211 hours 
15 mm 
4 days 
20°C 
8°C 
205 hours 
64 mm 
8 days 
January   >> January
>>  
21°C 
8°C 
198 hours 
44 mm 
5 days 
Climate in Anaheim

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in California, in the United States of America.

Is December the best time to visit California?

Given the typically pleasant weather conditions in Los Angeles, December may not be the ideal time to visit California.

Generally speaking, January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November provide perfect weather in Los Angeles.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in California. Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.

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  • Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

    Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.