If you’re planning for Easter in California, you’re probably wondering what the weather might throw at you. Spring can bring everything from sunshine and cool breezes to the occasional surprise storm. Most years, you’ll find mild to warm days—highs usually land in the 60s or 70s along the coast, with inland spots heating up more. Rainfall drops off compared to winter.
Weather on Easter really depends on where you end up. Coastal cities stay cooler and more stable, while valleys and deserts can heat up fast. Mountain regions sometimes still get snow in early spring, so you can find a totally different holiday vibe just a few hours away from the beach.
California’s wild geography means Easter sometimes brings odd weather—chilly mornings, the rare rainy weekend, or even a heat wave. If you know these patterns, you can plan outdoor gatherings or travel with a lot fewer surprises.
Easter Weather Patterns in California
Easter lands in spring, when California shifts from its wetter winter months toward drier, warmer days. You’ll usually get mild to warm temps, less rain than earlier in the year, and more sunshine across most of the state.
Typical Temperatures During Easter
Temperatures swing pretty widely depending on your location. Coastal places like Los Angeles and San Diego usually sit in the upper 50s to mid-70s °F.
Inland cities such as Sacramento often reach the low or mid-70s °F, and Palm Springs sometimes pushes into the 80s or 90s °F.
Northern coastal towns like Eureka stay cooler, with highs in the upper 50s °F. Nights cool off everywhere—think 40s and 50s °F—so you might want a jacket if you’re outside in the early morning or after sunset.
This mix of climates means you could get mild beach weather in the south, hotter valley afternoons inland, and cooler, damp air along the far northern coast.
Precipitation and Rainfall Trends
Rain chances drop off in spring, but you can’t rule them out completely. In Southern California, Los Angeles usually gets less than 1 inch of rain for April, with only a couple of wet days. San Diego’s totals are similar.
The San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley sometimes catch a few showers, averaging 1 to 1.5 inches in April. Northern coastal spots like Eureka stay wetter, with around 3 inches during the month.
Most spring rainstorms are short and light, but you might still get a cloudy, damp day—especially in central and northern California. If you’re planning an outdoor event, it’s smart to have a backup plan just in case.
Sunshine and Cloud Cover in Spring
By Easter, sunny days show up more often across California. Los Angeles and Palm Springs usually report clear skies over 70% of the time.
San Diego gets plenty of mild, sunny days, though that stubborn marine layer sometimes keeps mornings gray near the water.
San Francisco often sees a mix—partly cloudy skies are common. Northern coastal cities like Eureka have more clouds and fewer clear days than the rest of the state.
Daylight stretches out, too—you’ll get 12 to 13 hours of sun. That means more time for beach trips, spring hikes, or whatever you’ve got planned, but keep in mind that conditions can change fast depending on where you are.
Regional Differences in Easter Weather
California’s size and geography create huge differences in spring weather. Coastal areas feel the Pacific’s influence, while inland valleys and mountains can swing between warm, cool, or wet in a matter of hours.
Southern California Climate Around Easter
In Southern California, you’ll usually see mild to warm days for Easter. Coastal cities like Los Angeles and San Diego often hit highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s °F, with cooler mornings and evenings. The marine layer can keep mornings gray until the sun finally burns it off.
Rain doesn’t show up much, but it’s not impossible. Some years, storms bring measurable rain, and mountain areas can even get late-season snow. Past Easters have included rare cold snaps with highs stuck in the 50s °F.
Heat waves sometimes roll in, too. Santa Ana winds can push temperatures into the 80s or 90s °F, especially inland. These dry winds make things feel more like early summer than spring.
Typical Southern California Easter Weather
| Location | Average High °F | Average Low °F | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 72 | 55 | Low |
| San Diego | 70 | 57 | Low |
| Riverside (Inland) | 75 | 50 | Low to Moderate |
Northern California Conditions in Spring
Northern California stays cooler and wetter around Easter. Cities near the Pacific, like San Francisco, usually see highs in the 60s °F, but mornings can feel chilly and often come with fog or wind. The ocean keeps things mild but also brings frequent clouds.
Rain is still a real possibility. Spring storms from the Pacific sometimes bring showers to coastal and valley areas. Some years, these systems bring steady rain right into Easter weekend.
Inland areas like Sacramento warm up faster, often reaching the low 70s °F. Nights drop into the 40s °F. If you’re planning to be outside, you should be ready for both sunshine and sudden showers.
Central Valley and Inland Weather Variations
The Central Valley contrasts with the coast. Sacramento and Fresno get warm afternoons—usually in the 70s or even low 80s °F—but mornings start off cool.
Skies are often clear or partly cloudy, though spring storms can still bring rain.
The valley’s spot between mountain ranges means you’ll notice bigger temperature swings. Some Easters, daytime highs rise quickly, but nights stay much cooler. If you’re spending the day outside, layering your clothes really helps.
Farther inland, desert areas like Palm Springs heat up fast by Easter. Highs there usually run from the upper 80s to mid-90s °F. Rain is rare, and skies stay clear, making it one of the driest places in California during spring.
Influence of Geography on Easter Weather
California’s geography shapes Easter weather in dramatic ways. Coastal zones stay mild thanks to the Pacific, deserts heat up with almost no rain, and mountain ranges bring colder air, snow, or sudden storms.
Coastal Areas and Pacific Ocean Effects
Along the coast, the Pacific Ocean keeps temperatures steady. You’ll usually get cool mornings with fog or low clouds, then mild afternoons. This is the norm from San Diego up through San Francisco.
Coastal Easter weather rarely gets too extreme. Highs generally land in the 60s or low 70s °F, with nights in the 50s °F. Rain can happen, but storms are usually light and don’t last long compared to inland areas.
The ocean’s influence also keeps heat waves at bay in early spring. While inland valleys might spike into the 80s or 90s °F, the coast stays moderate. If you’re hosting an outdoor gathering, you’ll want to be ready for cool breezes, especially near the water.
Desert Regions: Mojave and Death Valley
In the Mojave Desert and Death Valley, Easter usually feels dry and warm. By April, daytime highs can already reach the upper 80s °F, and Death Valley sometimes climbs into the 90s °F. Nights cool off fast, sometimes dropping into the 50s °F.
Rain almost never shows up this time of year. If it does, it’s brief and very localized. The dry air and constant sun mean you’ll want shade and plenty of water if you’re outside.
Wind can also be a hassle in the desert. Spring sometimes brings gusty days, especially near Barstow or Palm Springs. These winds can kick up dust and make travel less pleasant.
Mountain Ranges: Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range
The Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range deliver some of California’s most unpredictable Easter weather. Higher up, snow lingers well into spring. Sometimes Easter weekend even brings fresh snow, especially above 6,000 feet.
Daytime highs in mountain towns might only reach the 40s or 50s °F, and nights can dip below freezing. Roads into higher passes sometimes stay icy or even closed if a late-season storm rolls in.
Lower slopes and foothills warm up faster. You could find sunny afternoons in the 60s °F, with snow still capping the peaks above. This sharp contrast really shows how elevation shapes your Easter—skiing in the Sierra, hiking in the foothills, all on the same weekend.
Notable Easter Weather Events in California
Easter weather in California has swung from heavy rain and cold mornings to record-setting heat and even the occasional earthquake. These shifts remind you that spring in the state can be full of surprises.
Historic Rainy and Cold Easters
Rain has soaked several Easters, especially in Southern California. On March 31, 2024, Riverside got hit by the heaviest Easter storm in decades—1–3 inches of rain in lowland areas and up to two feet of snow in the mountains.
Back on April 16, 1995, snow and high winds made mountain travel tough. Even earlier, March 27, 1910, brought the wettest and coldest Easter in Riverside’s history, with nearly an inch of rain and a high of just 52°F.
Cold mornings have made their mark, too. On March 27, 1921, Riverside saw temps dip to 33°F before things warmed up later. Before all the urban sprawl, frosty mornings like that were more common in the inland valleys.
Unusually Warm Easter Occurrences
California has also baked through some hot Easters. Santa Ana winds often spark these events, especially in the south. Riverside set its hottest Easter record on April 12, 1936, hitting 98°F.
Other years, like 1930 and 1962, saw temps rise into the mid-90s. Easter 1961 hit 93°F, and the next day soared to 100°F—weather can change fast.
These hot spells usually hit inland spots like Riverside, Palm Springs, and the San Fernando Valley. Coastal cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego stay cooler, but they can still get above-average warmth during spring wind events.
Weather Extremes and Rare Events
Not every memorable Easter event in California is about rain or heat. On April 4, 2010, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Baja California rattled much of Southern California during Easter afternoon services. It wasn’t weather, but it’s hard to forget.
The Good Friday earthquake of 1964 in Alaska even sent tsunamis to the California coast, hitting places like Los Angeles and San Diego.
These rare events show that Easter in California sometimes lines up with natural disruptions you didn’t see coming, leaving a mark on anyone who was there.
Spring Weather Phenomena Affecting Easter
Coastal regions often wake up to overcast skies, keeping mornings cool and damp. Inland valleys, on the other hand, can heat up fast under clear sunshine.
Shifts in wind patterns play a big role, sometimes pushing temperatures to summer-like levels in just a few hours.
Impact of June Gloom and Coastal Fog
Along the California coast, June Gloom sometimes shows up as early as late spring, even around Easter. Cool, moist air from the Pacific Ocean meets warmer air above and creates a thick marine layer.
You’ll probably spot this as gray skies and morning fog, especially near Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Usually, the cloud cover burns off by midday, but sometimes it sticks around and keeps temperatures in the 60s.
If you’re traveling, you might start out in a jacket and end up in short sleeves by afternoon. Just a few miles inland, the fog disappears and things warm up much faster.
| Region | Morning Conditions | Afternoon Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Cities | Foggy, overcast | Clearing, mild |
| Inland Valleys | Clear, cool | Sunny, warm |
This contrast can make planning outdoor Easter events a bit tricky. A sunrise service near the beach might feel damp and chilly, while a picnic just inland could be sunny and comfortable.
Santa Ana Winds and Temperature Swings
The Santa Ana winds also shape Easter weather, especially in Southern California. These dry winds rush in from the desert toward the coast, dropping humidity and quickly raising temperatures.
Sometimes, you’ll see daytime highs leap into the 80s or even 90s, even if the previous week felt pretty mild. Nights can still feel cool, since the dry air loses heat fast after sunset.
Santa Ana events clear the skies, but they also raise the fire risk in grassy hillsides and canyons. If you’re planning an Easter gathering, you’ll want to prepare for sudden warmth, strong gusts, and very dry air.
Inland valleys and foothill communities get hit with the strongest effects. Coastal areas warm up too, though the Pacific Ocean keeps things from getting too extreme. The sharp switch between calm, foggy days and hot, windy ones really stands out in California’s spring weather.
Travel and Activity Tips for Easter in California
Spring in California usually brings mild temperatures, but the weather can change quickly depending on where you are. Planning ahead helps you enjoy outdoor activities and stay comfortable in changing weather.
Best Regions for Outdoor Activities
Southern California often has the most reliable sunny skies around Easter. Cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Anaheim usually see daytime highs in the 60s to 70s°F, which feels pretty ideal for theme parks, beach visits, or coastal walks. Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are great if you want ocean views without the summer crowds.
Inland areas like Palm Springs heat up fast into the 80s°F. That’s perfect for poolside lounging or desert hikes in the morning, but afternoons can get hot. If you’d rather keep things cooler, Northern California has spots like San Francisco, where coastal breezes keep it in the 50s or 60s°F.
Mountain regions such as Yosemite or Lake Tahoe may still have snow at higher elevations. Hiking trails might be muddy or icy, but you’ll see fewer visitors and some truly striking scenery. If you’re heading that way, check road conditions ahead of time since late-season storms can still mess with travel.
What to Pack for Variable Spring Weather
Pack layers—mornings and evenings usually feel cooler than the afternoons. I’d toss in a light jacket or fleece for those breezy coastal mornings. By midday, you’ll probably want short sleeves because it really does warm up.
If you’re thinking about exploring both mountains and beaches, you’ll need a wider range of clothes. Trust me, the weather can change its mind pretty fast.
Here’s a simple packing list:
- Light jacket or fleece for chilly mornings
- Short-sleeve shirts for warm afternoons
- Comfortable walking shoes for parks or city exploring
- Waterproof layer if you’re heading to Northern California or higher elevations
- Sunscreen and hat since UV levels jump quickly in spring
Bring a small daypack so you can stash water and snacks. Conditions shift fast, especially inland or up in the mountains, so it pays to be ready.