When you visit California in January, you’ll be joining locals—minus the summer tourists—in all their favorite hangouts.
Think stunning sunset strolls on the beach…the miracle of watching migrating blue whales…fresh snowfall in the High Sierras…and magnificent desert vistas.
It’s off-season in much of California, making it one of the very best warm places to visit in the USA in January.
California in January—Weather
The weather in California in January depends a lot on where you go.
In many parts of California, January offers a winter wonderland.
You’ll enjoy phenomenal skiing and snowshoeing in places like Lake Tahoe and the High Sierras, with temperatures in the high 30s and 40s and overnight lows around 18 degrees.
If you are searching for sunshine, expect mid-60s in Southern California coastal locations like San Diego and Los Angeles, with an average of four days of rain per month and overnight lows around 50 degrees.
Looking for warmer weather? Head to the desert.
Palm Springs boasts some of the nicest temps in the state in January. Daytime highs average about 71 degrees, and overnight lows about 45 degrees—and just two days of rain monthly.
Best Places to Visit in California during Winter
1. Joshua Tree in January
My favorite place to visit in California in January is Joshua Tree National Park.
While the park is stunning year-round. The summers are generally painfully hot, while the winters are temperate and perfect for enjoying the myriad hikes that wind through the park. Joshua Tree also makes a great weekend vacation from San Diego.
There is a good variety of hikes in Joshua Tree that range from a few hundred yards to several mile treks.
The most famous hiking route is the Arches Rock Trail, where, at the end of the 1.2-mile hike, you will find one of the park’s fantastic rock formations.
For those looking for a more challenging endeavor, the Willow Hole hike is an amazing 6.8-mile hike through some of the most beautiful parts of the park.
January is the perfect time to walk the trail, as the cooler climate makes it much easier to complete the entire hike.
The darker nights in January are excellent for stargazing, too, with the Milky Way often visible above the park.
The Arches Rock Trail is a favorite among nighttime hikers as the stars hover above the rocks, making for one of the park’s most iconic photos.
A big plus about visiting and hiking Joshua Tree in January is that the crowds are smaller, which makes for better photography opportunities with fewer people in your photographs.
Even the most popular hiking trails will feel distinctly empty in January.
Megan | Megan Starr’s Travel Blog
Where to stay in Joshua Tree
Looking for a unique desert stay without breaking the bank? Stay in a renovated mid-century bungalow. It offers easy access to the park and phenomenal star gazing. Check the price and availability here.
Or check out my list of the 18 most incredible Joshua Tree Airbnbs here.
2. San Diego in January
As a San Diego local, I adore the smaller crowds, stunning sunsets, and wonderful winter activities. San Diego makes a great California vacation in January.
January is prime time for whale watching as 20,000 gray whales migrate from Alaska to the warm waters of Baja in Mexico.
For free whale-watching opportunities, head to San Diego’s Birch Aquarium or bring your binoculars for possible sightings from Cabrillo National Monument.
Otherwise, book a whale-watching tour from the harbor.
The sun in January in San Diego follows a lower path to the horizon, making winter twilight last longer and producing some phenomenal sunsets.
There’s no shortage of excellent vantage points in San Diego.
My favorites include Torrey Pines State Park, George’s at the Cove in La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach, Mount Soledad, and Balboa Park.
January is also the last month you can enjoy one of San Diego’s favorite winter traditions…ice skating beachside at the Hotel Del’s rink on the beautiful island of Coronado.
(If you’re looking for some of the best weather with fewer crowds, San Diego is also one of the top places to travel in the US in May!)
Where to stay in San Diego
Stay in fabulous Sunset Cliffs in a beautiful home with panoramic ocean views. You may never want to leave the rooftop deck!
Check the price and availability on VRBO here.
Or check out beachy La Jolla. My personal picks for the best La Jolla vacation rentals are here.
You’ll also find more recommended San Diego vacation rentals here.
Read more on California travel here:
• California in spring
• California in fall
• California in winter
3. Lake Tahoe in January
If you’re looking for California winter vacation ideas, Lake Tahoe ticks most boxes.
Straddling California and Nevada, there is no doubt the California side of the lake is the place to be in winter. Lake Tahoe also makes a nice Bay Area getaway.
With average January temperatures of 19°F to 42°F and nine to 10 hours of daylight, a Lake Tahoe winter visit is comfortable for most.
In January, there is a good chance of blue skies and sunshine.
If you are a skier or snowboarder, Tahoe has excellent winter resorts from which to choose. If not, there are plenty of other things to do in Lake Tahoe.
For an active vacation, try cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tubing, and ice skating.
The white winter wonderland backdrop is perfect for sleigh rides and roasting marshmallows over a fire pit.
Lake Tahoe is home to California’s largest ski resort: Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows. Heavenly Ski Resort has runs in California and Nevada, which means you can ski two states in one stay.
Unlike many other ski resort towns, Lake Tahoe does not have one downtown area, and the mountains are spread across a wide area.
So, when planning a trip, the best way to visit is to drive. You will need to have tire chains or a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Christina | Travel2Next
Where to stay in Lake Tahoe
The rustic Brockway Lakeview Cabin, with gorgeous mountain and lake views, is perched on a hillside above Kings Beach in North Lake Tahoe. Check the price and availability on VRBO here.
4. Palm Springs in January
There’s nothing like the unique subdued pinks, beiges, and pale blues that paint the desert landscape. You have to see it to believe it.
Palm Springs is a wonderfully warm winter escape and one of the best places to visit in Southern California in winter. You can wear shorts and enjoy heated pools.
January is also an ideal time to visit for hiking and stargazing before the desert temperatures rise again in spring.
Also, this is hot springs country! Many boutique hotels offer pools and spas that make use of the 180-degree sulfur-free water that bubbles up here. So pamper yourself!
For a novel experience, take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the Valley Station along the cliffs of Chino Canyon up to the Mountain Station.
A snap of the fingers and you’ll be almost instantly transported from the warm desert to fragrant pine forests.
Where to stay in Palm Springs
How about a dreamy desert oasis? This three-bedroom home has a modern vibe with a lovely private pool. You can check it out on VRBO here.
5. Mammoth Lakes in January
Mammoth Lakes in January is a must-visit for any winter lover!
January is when Mammoth Lakes starts getting the most snow, making it perfect for powder conditions and a great winter getaway in California.
If you’re interested in snowboarding or skiing, Mammoth Resort is regarded as one of the best ski resorts in the state.
Even if you’re not interested in snowboarding or skiing, there is a little something for everyone.
January is a great month to go snowshoeing around Mammoth. You can snowshoe on unplowed roads, existing trails, or even off the side of the road.
In the evening, when you’re done playing in the snow, grab some dinner in the Village and then head a little way out of town to the hot springs.
After a long day on the slopes, it feels amazing to soak in natural hot springs, watch the shooting stars above, and relax in the contrast of warm water and cold air.
But don’t forget to bring towels so the run back to the car isn’t miserable! There are so many wonderful things to do in Mammoth in winter. Enjoy.
Jenny | Limitless Hiker
Where to stay in Mammoth
Stay in your own private ski-in/ski-out luxury lodge with a chef’s kitchen right in Mammoth. Check the price and availability on VRBO here.
6. Death Valley in January
How about visiting the hottest place on Earth in the middle of winter? (It’s also a great travel destination in November.)
Death Valley is a landscape of magnificence and grandeur, where valley floors are crusted with salt, canyons plunge deep from the heart of rugged mountains, mountains are painted with surreal colors, and the sky explodes with infinite stars at night.
It is one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S., and one of the most unique national parks on the U.S. west coast.
Welcome to the land of extremes: Death Valley National Park, the biggest national park in the lower 48 states. A lifetime is short to explore the labyrinths of its canyons and understand the mysteries of this park.
But if you have only a few days to spend, here are some suggestions. Start your day early for the drive to Racetrack Playa. You’ll be amazed there by puzzling tracks made by moving stones.
On your way back, stop first at Ubehebe Crater, about a half-mile wide and 600 feet deep hole created by a volcano.
Next, take a turn towards Stovepipe Wells Village for breakfast and listen to sand songs at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
After climbing the dunes, it’s time to head to the lowest point in the western hemisphere.
Badwater Basin salt flats are 282 feet below sea level and command a barren beauty.
On your way back towards Furnace Creek Visitor Center, take a detour to the one-way Artist Palette drive to admire the multicolored, eroded hillside, a result of the oxidation of natural metal deposits in the mountains.
It is best visited in the afternoon when slanted sun rays make the colors more vivid.
Zabriskie Point is the place to be for sunrise, and Dante’s view is gorgeous at sunset.
On a clear day, you can see both the lowest and highest points of the lower 48 from Dante’s view.
If you have more than two or three days, hike through the canyons to fully appreciate Death Valley’s grandeur.
Binny | A Speck in Time
Where to stay in Death Valley
Stay in the heart of Death Valley National Park at the lovely Inn at Death Valley. The pool is gorgeous! Check prices and availability here on Booking.com.
7. Slab City in January
Slab City is an offbeat, off-the-grid community hunkered down in the dry hot desert near the Salton Sea.
At first glance, it looks like a random RV park, but a deeper look reveals a diverse community of artists, homesteaders, and retirees living off the grid, on the cheap, and absolutely on their own terms.
Slab City is worth visiting in January because summer temps in this part of southeastern California can hit 112°F. But January is a cool, comfortable 70 degrees.
There are more people living in Slab City in the winter, which also means that there are more activities like live music at The Range or events at the free library.
There are two things that you must do on any visit to Slab City. The first stop is Salvation Mountain.
This colorful religious shrine was a passion project of Leonard Knight. He felt compelled to build it as a testament to his faith.
The other is the East Jesus sculpture garden. East Jesus is an truly mind-boggling assemblage of found-object sculptures and Burning Man contraptions.
East Jesus is a legit nonprofit organization that also hosts an artist residency program.
Just be aware there are no hotels or vacation rental accommodations here. You’ll need to bring an RV!
Carol | California Crossings
8. Los Angeles in January
Los Angeles is the perfect California winter destination.
While January comes with cooler temperatures and a bit of rain, you’ll get to experience LA without the crowds and high prices of the summer tourist season.
January in Los Angeles is also when you’ll get to enjoy some of the city’s biggest events.
The annual Rose Parade, famous for its beautiful flower-decorated floats, is held on New Year’s Day in Pasadena.
The city’s popular Lunar New Year celebration is also held this month.
This event takes place in Chinatown and features a festive Lunar New Year Parade and access to the city’s best Chinese cuisine. The dumplings are always the clear favorite.
For those into wildlife, the California coastline sits along the migration path for blue, gray, and humpback whales.
Also in January, you can hop aboard a local tour boat to see gray whales as they migrate from Alaska to Mexico. If you’re lucky, you may see a few dolphins, too.
Travelers interested in sampling the city’s many great restaurants will be excited to hear about the annual Dine LA event each January.
This event showcases the city’s best restaurants with special tastings and small plates offered throughout the week.
Dine LA is the perfect opportunity to get to know this incredible city through its best food and drinks. I couldn’t think of a better way to experience a new city.
Eden | Rock A Little Travel
Where to stay in LA
Stay in a two story craftsman carriage house that’s just steps to the beach. Check the price and availability on VRBO here.
9. Sequoia National Park in January
Sequoia National Park is in California’s southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Sierras stretch along eastern California from Lake Tahoe to the Golden Trout Wilderness just south of Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia is a winter wonderland in January with the snow blanketing the giant Sequoia trees.
Their cinnamon-colored bark and massive trunks are an incredible contrast to the blue winter sky.
And unlike in summer, when Sequoia is filled with hikers, the backcountry here is fairly crowd-free in winter.
It’s the perfect place for cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing.
Head to the Wolverton Meadow—just two miles from the famous General Sherman tree—for any outdoor winter activities, particularly if you find less snow at the lower elevations.
Snowshoers should head to the Congress Trail, a two-mile loop through gorgeous Sequoia groves. (Park rangers also offer guided tours on weekends in winter!)
Where to stay in Sequoia
Stay at rustic Blossom Rock House in Three Rivers. You may never want to leave the jacuzzi! Check the price and availability here.
10. Big Bear in January
Big Bear is one of the go-to winter destinations in Southern California if you want to experience “real” winter.
Whether you are looking for some fun on the slopes, or simply a cozy cabin getaway in a snowy winter wonderland, Big Bear is one of your top choices.
January is a best bet for snow in Big Bear, which makes it ideal for any kind of winter sport.
With two mountains, about 35 miles of slopes, and 20 lifts, it is the largest ski resort in Southern California.
But skiing and snowboarding are not the only things you can do in Big Bear in January.
You could cozy up with bundles of blankets and hot drinks and watch movies in the meadow. Or how about some tube sledding fun at Grizzly Ridge Tube Park?
And if you are into nature and wildlife, check out the Big Bear Discovery Center for a tour around San Bernardino National Forest led by a naturalist.
If you prefer, you can also go on a guided winter hike, with snowshoes or without, and take in the scenic panorama of the San Bernardino mountains and stunning Big Bear Lake below.
About 2.5 hours from Los Angeles and 3 hours from San Diego, Big Bear is a great winter getaway for anyone in Southern California.
Maria | San Diego Explorer
Where to stay in Big Bear
Stay in a quaint cabin in the woods near the lake. Enjoy stargazing from the hot tub, cozy up to the wood-burning fireplace, or take an easy walk to town. Check the price and availability on VRBO here.
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