Packing List
July Packing List for Los Angeles — What to Wear & Bring
July is one of LA's hottest months — highs reach 84°F with zero rain days. The San Fernando Valley and inland neighborhoods push even hotter, while the coast stays in the high 70s. Pack breathable, lightweight fabrics for the heat, sun protection for every outdoor moment, and a light layer for the cooler beach evenings. Staying hydrated is critical in LA's dry July heat.
Averages 67–84°F
Clothing
July highs of 84°F in Los Angeles — and considerably hotter in the San Fernando Valley — make natural-fiber sundresses the most comfortable choice for outdoor activities from the Getty Center to outdoor dining in Brentwood.
Zero rain days and 84°F highs make moisture-wicking or natural-fiber tanks the go-to top across all of July — the Hollywood Hills and Runyon Canyon in particular require breathable fabrics for the exposed hillside heat.
July afternoons at 84°F in the LA flatlands — and pushing 90°F+ in the Valley and Pasadena — make shorts or loose linen trousers the only comfortable bottom choice during daylight hours.
July evenings on the LA coast cool to 67°F with marine breezes — outdoor restaurants and rooftop bars in Santa Monica and Venice Beach reliably feel cool after dark, and a light cardigan or thin zip-up is essential.
Extended sun exposure on LA's beaches in July — particularly at Zuma Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, and the Santa Monica shoreline — makes a UPF-rated cover layer an important skin-protection option beyond just sunscreen.
Footwear
July is LA's peak sandal season — 84°F afternoons and zero rain days make flat sandals the primary daytime footwear for the Venice Beach boardwalk, the Hollywood Farmers Market, and all of the city's outdoor exploring.
LA hikes in July — Runyon Canyon, the Griffith Observatory trail, Temescal Canyon — are best done early morning before the heat peaks, and breathable sneakers or trail shoes handle the rocky paths without overheating feet.
July evenings in West Hollywood and the Beverly Hills dining strip stay warm enough at 67°F for open-toe heels — this is peak outdoor dining season in LA and strappy sandals match the city's effortlessly-dressed evening culture.
July is LA's peak beach month — the Santa Monica Bay water temperature reaches 68–70°F and the beaches are at their most active, making waterproof flip flops essential for the sand-to-boardwalk-to-restroom transitions.
Accessories
July delivers a UV index of 9–11 across Los Angeles on clear afternoons — extended time outdoors on the Griffith Park trails, Venice Beach, or any of Malibu's exposed beaches without head coverage causes rapid sunburn.
Los Angeles's July UV index regularly hits 10–11 — among the highest in the continental US — and beach activities at Santa Monica, Malibu, and Hermosa Beach require water-resistant SPF 50+ with reapplication every 2 hours.
July sun reflecting off the Pacific at Malibu and Santa Monica generates significant glare — polarized lenses are a non-negotiable accessory for both beach time and the extensive LA driving that July sightseeing demands.
July is prime beach season across the LA coast — a roomy yet lightweight tote for sunscreen, a change of clothes, a towel, and snacks handles the full beach day at Manhattan Beach or Zuma without heavy bag fatigue.
Gear
84°F July heat in Los Angeles is dry and sunny — the combination of Southern California sun exposure and low humidity accelerates dehydration significantly faster than the same temperature in a humid climate.
LA's July tourist attractions — the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, outdoor venues like the Hollywood Bowl — involve significant time standing in direct sun, and a personal fan provides real relief on 84°F afternoons.
For outdoor activities like Runyon Canyon or the exposed Griffith Park trails in July — done early but still warm — a cooling towel provides rapid temperature relief and is a compact carry in a day bag.
Beach days in Santa Monica and Malibu in July require sunscreen reapplication every 2 hours — a portable SPF stick is compact and easy to apply over makeup or on the go between outdoor activities.
Local tips for Los Angeles in July
- 1.LA's 4th of July fireworks at Marina del Rey, Dodger Stadium, and the Rose Bowl are spectacular but draw enormous crowds — if you plan to attend, arrive 2 hours early, identify parking in advance, and accept that the post-show traffic exit will take 60–90 minutes. Dressing in layers for the 67°F evening is smart.
- 2.The Hollywood Bowl season runs July through September and outdoor concerts under the stars are one of the quintessential LA summer experiences — evening temperatures drop to 67°F or below after dark, so packing a light jacket and a blanket is standard practice for Bowl-goers even in July.
- 3.LA's micro-climate is most dramatic in July: the San Fernando Valley routinely reaches 90–95°F while Santa Monica and Venice Beach stay in the high 70s under partial marine influence on the same day — if you have flexibility, plan strenuous outdoor activities on the coast, not inland.