By admin 
When it comes to finding the perfect place to live, weather plays a huge role; after all, no one wants to be stuck inside for half the year. While some are drawn to crisp cold or daily drizzle, most prefer warm, sunny weather for most of the year – a preference backed up by research.
A mild Mediterranean climate, a hallmark of the Southern California coast, often produces the most pleasant weather year-round (and it shows). That’s a major reason why Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece are renowned for their climates.
Meanwhile, Sun Belt cities like Phoenix, Tampa, and Austin have drawn homebuyers in recent years with their sunny winters and lower housing costs. However, scorching summers and severe storms can be major drawbacks.
So, which U.S. cities have the best weather? In this Redfin article, we’ll rank the top cities with a population of at least 50,000 with the most pleasant climates year-round. Hint: they’re all in California.
We ranked cities based on a range of climate factors, favoring cities with comfortable temperatures, limited seasonal change, low humidity, and year-round sunshine.
As it turned out, every city on the list was situated on the California coast between San Francisco and San Diego – a region long known for its near-perfect weather.
The list focuses on monthly and annual averages over many years to gain a more complete picture of each city’s climate. However, all cities on our list have experienced extreme weather, such as heat waves and heavy storms. As the climate changes, make sure to research weather extremes and how a city is adapting before making the move.
Top 10 cities with the best weather in the U.S.
- Oxnard, CA
- Carlsbad, CA
- Oceanside, CA
- Irvine, CA
- San Clemente, CA
- Santa Monica, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Salinas, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
1. Oxnard, California
- Summer high/low: 71.6°F – 60.7°F
- Winter high/low: 65.2°F – 48.3°F
- Dew point: 54.7°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.58 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 132.4 hours
The city with the best weather in the U.S. is Oxnard, CA. Mild, sunny, dry weather dominates the forecast for most of the year, with zero days that get below freezing and hardly any that are too hot. The area is known for its surfing, beaches, proximity to the Channel Islands, and year-round strawberries.
Oxnard sits on the Southern California coast just 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, sheltered by the Santa Monica Mountains to the south and Santa Ynez to the north. Because of its location, heat waves are usually staved off by cool sea breezes. And unlike many coastal locations, it’s not humid – a dew point of 55°F or below is considered dry and comfortable.
Some fog and cloudy weather is common in the early summer, but most days are near-perfect. For reference, Yuma, AZ, the sunniest city in the world, sees an average of 142.8 sunshine hours per month. Seattle – one of the cloudiest cities in the country – sees an average of 83.7 sunshine hours per month. 132.4 monthly sunshine hours is about 4.4 hours of sunshine per day, only measured during daylight.
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2. Carlsbad, California
- Summer high/low: 73.3°F – 65°F
- Winter high/low: 64.9°F – 49.4°F
- Dew point: 54.6°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.56 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 130.8 hours
Carlsbad, just north of San Diego, is a beachside haven. With warm, comfortable temperatures year-round and hardly any rain, the climate almost begs you to spend your days outside. Thankfully, there’s plenty to do in the area. You can surf at Tamarack Surf Beach, visit LEGOLAND, explore the Flower Fields, and soak up a seaside sunset all in one day.
Southern California is famous for its microclimates, and Carlsbad is no exception. Constant sea breezes stave off inland heat (sometimes only a few miles away), making for almost permanently perfect weather – even if it’s 90°F+ elsewhere.
The gorgeous weather is usually only broken up by the Santa Ana winds, which can occur from September to May. These mountain gap winds shuttle hot, dry desert air to the coast, usually in strong breezes that can last days.
Carlsbad homes for sale | Carlsbad houses for rent | Carlsbad apartments for rent
3. Oceanside, California
- Summer high/low: 76.4°F – 62.8°F
- Winter high/low: 66.3°F – 42.7°F
- Dew point: 54.6°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.49 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 130.8 hours
Just north of Carlsbad, Oceanside is a laid-back coastal city at the northern edge of San Diego County. It offers the same sun-soaked charm and Mediterranean climate as its neighbors: mild winters, warm summers, and a near-constant ocean breeze that keeps things comfortable all year long. Temperatures get a bit hotter in the inland portions of the city.
The Oceanside Pier is the most famous spot in town, but there’s a lot more to the area. Hike at Guajome Regional Park, visit a couple of museums, and explore the quaint downtown filled with delicious food and ocean views.
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4. Irvine, California
- Summer high/low: 78.8°F – 66.4°F
- Winter high/low: 67.9°F – 50.8°F
- Dew point: 49.2°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.41 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 130.8 hours
Part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Irvine is a master-planned community known for its university, parks, and shopping. While not a truly coastal city, it still benefits from sea breezes and warm sunshine that a lot of L.A. is famous for, helping keep temperatures cool and weather calm. The further inland you get, though, the hotter it gets.
However, the Santa Ana Winds are a winter regular, bringing fire danger and unpleasant heat multiple times per year. Most rainfall also occurs in the late winter months – usually just a few times per month.
Irvine homes for sale | Irvine houses for rent | Irvine apartments for rent
5. San Clemente, California
- Summer high/low: 73.8°F – 64.3°F
- Winter high/low: 64.3°F – 50.8°F
- Dew point: 49.2°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.32 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 130.8 hours
Tucked between Los Angeles and San Diego, San Clemente is known as the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” and its climate is just as dreamy as its nickname. 6.8 miles of ridgeline trails, 2.3 miles of coastal trails, a massive pier, and iconic Spanish architecture span across hills, canyons, and coastline. Surfing is a mainstay among residents and visitors – not unlike most coastal California cities.
Like every other city on the list, San Clemente enjoys a quintessential Mediterranean feel. Temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s most of the year, rain is rare, and sunshine is abundant.
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6. Santa Monica, California
- Summer high/low: 75.1°F – 64°F
- Winter high/low: 66.8°F – 50.2°F
- Dew point: 50.5°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.97 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 135.1 hours
Santa Monica, the westernmost city along the greater Los Angeles coast, has the sixth-best weather in the country. An iconic pier, year-round surfing, and easy access to the best of L.A. help make Santa Monica one of the best beach towns in the world and a true coastal haven. Fitness buffs especially enjoy the famous Santa Monica Stairs and extensive beachside trails.
The climate is ideal for making the most of everything Santa Monica has to offer: biking the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, exploring the shops and eateries along Third Street Promenade, or catching golden-hour views along 3.5 miles of coastline. Warm temperatures and steady sunshine create an effortless indoor-outdoor lifestyle that brings millions of people to the city every year.
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7. Huntington Beach, California
- Summer high/low: 80°F – 63.4°F
- Winter high/low: 67.5°F – 46°F
- Dew point: 54.6°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.46 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 130.8 hours
Another coastal L.A. mecca, Huntington Beach is famous for its surfing and high quality of life – it’s known as Surf City, after all. Explore the International Surfing Museum, stroll around Huntington Harbour, or take a dip in the ocean at Huntington Beach Pier. Huntington Beach Central Park is a hub for those less ocean-inclined.
Summer temperatures in Huntington Beach can reach into the 80s, but that’s primarily because the city stretches well inland. Along the coast, you’ll struggle to find a hot or cloudy day.
Huntington Beach homes for sale | Huntington Beach houses for rent | Huntington Beach apartments for rent
8. Thousand Oaks, California
- Summer high/low: 77.2°F – 61.7°F
- Winter high/low: 67.9°F – 46.5°F
- Dew point: 50.5°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.62 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 135.1 hours
Situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and rolling oak-dotted hills, Thousand Oaks offers a peaceful suburban retreat just minutes from the coast. Plenty of amenities, easy access to major cities, and a high quality of life make Thousand Oaks a great place to live. That’s before even getting to the climate.
Summers are warm but not sweltering, thanks to coastal influence, and winters are sunny and cool—perfect for hiking, biking, or enjoying the many parks and open spaces the city is known for.
Importantly, fire danger can be a major issue in the area, as was evident during the Woolsey Fire in 2018 and Palisades Fire in 2025. It’s made worse during the Santa Ana Winds and especially during droughts, which are becoming more common.
Thousand Oaks homes for sale | Thousand Oaks houses for rent | Thousand Oaks apartments for rent
9. Salinas, California
- Summer high/low: 72.5°F – 56.5°F
- Winter high/low: 64°F – 43.2°F
- Dew point: 50.6°F
- Monthly rainfall: 0.88 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 126.4 hours
Salinas, the only city on our list in the Bay Area, has the ninth-best weather in the country. Nestled in the fertile Salinas Valley just a short drive from Monterey Bay, it enjoys a cool, coastal climate that rarely gets too hot or too cold – making it one of the most temperate places to live in Northern California.
This cooler marine climate is perfect for the floral, wine, and vegetable industries. In fact, Salinas is known as the Salad Bowl of the World thanks to its massive lettuce farms. Similar to San Francisco, morning fog is a mainstay in the summer, which helps keep temperatures pleasant in the afternoon.
This year-round comfort makes it easy to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, like Toro Park, Big Sur State Park, and Pinnacles National Park.
Salinas homes for sale | Salinas houses for rent | Salinas apartments for rent
10. Santa Barbara, California
- Summer high/low: 74.4°F – 58.2°F
- Winter high/low: 65.8°F – 42.6°F
- Dew point: 47.7°F
- Monthly rainfall: 1.2 inches
- Monthly sunshine: 132.4 hours
At the end of our California parade is Santa Barbara – a regular on “best weather” lists. It’s easy to see why people love it so much. With its Mediterranean climate, gentle sea breeze, and historic beachside downtown, the city offers near-perfect weather for most of the year. Ocean influence keeps summers mild and winters pleasantly cool, creating ideal conditions for spending most of the year outdoors.
However, a few too many days above 90°F and slightly higher rainfall nudged Santa Barbara to the tenth spot in our rankings. Still, it comfortably outperformed many other well-known California cities and boasts an ultra-comfortable dew point. San Diego, for instance, came in 26th due to its hotter summer temperatures.
Santa Barbara’s setting at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains adds even more to the appeal. On rare winter days, you might spot snow on the peaks while enjoying a mild morning at the beach.
Santa Barbara homes for sale | Santa Barbara houses for rent | Santa Barbara apartments for rent
What about cities not in California?
The top 32 cities with the best weather in the U.S. are along the Central and Southern California coast. Warm, pleasant weather dominates the forecast for a majority of the year here, with mild seasonal variations, little rain, and plenty of sunshine. However, these cities can cost a pretty penny. So, if Cali isn’t in your budget or doesn’t resonate with you, there are other great options.
Outside of California, five cities with great year-round weather are:
Florida cities also rank quite highly, but they contend with humidity, rain, wind, and heat from late spring through fall. Other Sun Belt cities like Hampton and Savannah enjoy great winters but can get hotter and more humid in the summer. Lastly, Seattle may seem like a surprise, with cool, consistent rain from October through March, but it otherwise has a very mild climate.
How are the climates in these cities changing?
While the top cities for weather in the country have incredibly pleasant climates, they are also highly susceptible to drought, wildfires, and coastal storms. The most well-known danger for cities along the SoCal coast are the Santa Ana Winds, which are strong, dry, hot winter winds from the desert. Atmospheric rivers are another growing risk. Severe and persistent drought also affects nearly every SoCal city.
Plus, climate change has thrown norms into disarray and fueled stronger, more intense weather events. The January 2025 L.A. wildfires are just one example of how these beautiful areas can be affected as temperatures rise and cities struggle to adapt.
The cities with the best weather in the country promise comfortable temperatures and lots of sunshine. Living in them can be a dream, but it’s important to prepare for a changing climate.
Methodology
To find the cities with the “best” weather, we analyzed and aggregated publicly available climate data from Meteostat (which uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration) and NASA POWER (which takes satellite readings). We averaged 10 years of data from 2014 to 2023, then matched it to U.S. cities with populations of 50,000 or more, based on 2023 Census estimates. All data was calculated daily and averaged over a month or season.
We focused on seven climate categories, each weighted equally and scored from 1 (best) to 100 (worst). A lower score meant better weather.
- Average summer high temperature: lower = better
- Average winter low temperature: higher = better
- Average monthly dew point temperature: closer to 55°F = better
- Average monthly days ≥ 90°F (“hot days”): fewer = better
- Average monthly days ≤ 32°F (“cold days”): fewer = better
- Average monthly sunshine hours (during daylight): more = better
- Average monthly precipitation: less = better
We prioritized mild climates with low humidity, little rainfall, more sunshine, and fewer occurrences of hot or cold weather. There are studies showing that cold weather and rain can improve people’s health, but we went with the popular definition of “perfect” weather.
Humidity was measured using the average “dew point,” which is a more accurate way to measure how muggy the air actually feels. Dew points at or below 55°F are considered most comfortable.
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