The 6 Warmest Places in California in January Are Shockingly Toasty

Is California warm in the winter? The answer depends on what part of the state you’re looking at. Up north the winter weather is fairly wet and chilly. But as you travel south, things start to heat up. When you add in the abundance of sunshine that some areas receive, California can be the perfect place for a winter vacation.

What spots stay the warmest? Let’s find out. Follow along as we reveal the top toastiest places in California in January. From Death Valley National Park to Palm Desert, there are a lot of warm places to visit!

Palm Desert—72°F

In California’s Palm Desert, it’s not uncommon for the winter to bring temperatures as warm as 80°F or higher. This toasty spot has an average high of around 72°F in January, with the average low being 42°F. The average daily temperature is around 61°F, and the warmest weather occurs in the middle of the day. 

Along with being warm in the winter, Palm Desert is also a popular spot because there’s so much to do. The city rests right in California’s Coachella Valley. Whether you want to embark on a hiking trail, visit an amazing zoo, or go to a country club, Palm Desert can accommodate you. Take for instance the Living Desert Zoo. It’s a must-see for animal lovers! The non-profit zoo is home to over 500 animals and more than 150 different species.

Palm Springs—71°F

Right by Palm Desert, you’ll find another one of the warmest places in California; Palm Springs. This toasty spot is famous for getting over 300 days of sunshine. And all of that sun makes the winter weather comfortable, to say the least.

During January, the average morning temperature is only 44°F. But as the day warms up temperatures hover between 60- 71°F. Even as the sun’s preparing to set, the temperature can still be a comfortable 55°F or higher. 

Resting in the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs is famous for its refreshing hot springs. And if you head over to Coachella Valley you can take your pick of the many hiking and biking trails.

Death Valley—67°F

While the rest of the country is chilly, you can be warm and comfortable in the sunny Death Valley National Park. The average temperature is around 59°F, however, you can expect things to get much toastier. It’s not uncommon for the daily temperature to rise to a high of 67°F. These reasonable temperatures make winter one of the best times to visit Death Valley. If you wait until the summertime you might have to contend with temperatures as high as 102°F or higher.

San Diego—66°F

San Diego is one of the warmest places in California in January. This area experiences mild winters, with average daytime temperatures of 64°F. The night time temps average 46°F, and the overall average high is a comfortable 66°F. 

Even though it can be toasty, there’s no guarantee the weather will be enjoyable. Winters in San Diego have their good days and their bad ones. Sometimes it’s a sunny 60-degree day, other times it’s a frigid day with violent storms. So prepare accordingly by bringing warm clothes and winter outfits. Finally, if you want to go swimming at the beach, be sure to bring a wet suit. The ocean water will be freezing cold.

Santa Barbara—64°F

If you want to spend the winter somewhere winter temperatures hover around 64°F, then head over to Santa Barbara California. Sometimes things get as toasty as 73°F, but they usually don’t go any higher than that. As for rain, you can expect about 5 rainy days each winter month. This is a great spot to vacation if you want to spend January 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park—56°F

Finally, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is another one of the warmest places in California. However, the weather here tends to fluctuate quite a bit.

Average temperatures aren’t always the best predictor of winter weather. Sometimes an area can have freakishly hot weather, that goes way beyond what any average high would predict. Take for instance Anza Borrego Desert State Park in California. In January this area has an average temperature of 56°F. However, in 2011, this area experienced the hottest January on record with temperatures reaching 81°F. This is a great example of how desert temperatures can jump from one year to the next.

The average low has also seen a lot of fluctuations. Currently, the average low in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a forgiving 47°F. However, in 2017 the low temperatures dropped as far as 27°F.

Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park a good spot to visit? Absolutely. This dog-friendly park is lovely and exciting to explore. And since the temperatures are unbearably hot in the summer, January is one of the best times to visit. 

Prepare for your visit to the desert by bringing at least 1 gallon of water for each day you’re there. That’s 1 gallon per person, so if you’re bringing friends, they’ll each need a daily gallon too. Also, cellphone coverage is unreliable and often non-existent. If there’s an emergency, you won’t have any way of reaching the outside world. Stay safe by letting someone know where you’ll be and when you plan on returning.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © U. Eisenlohr/Shutterstock.com