Weather in California in March
California in March is three climates in one state. Northern California around San Francisco sits at 55-65°F with foggy mornings burning off to clear afternoons. Southern California from LA to San Diego runs 60-72°F and mostly sunny. The deserts — Death Valley, Joshua Tree — swing from 65-80°F days down to 40-50°F nights.
March falls in the tail end of rainy season, but most days are clear. You might catch a storm system passing through, especially in Northern California, but extended rain is uncommon. The coast is breezy and the interior valleys are warming up fast.
- •San Francisco in March is warmer than summer — seriously. June-August fog keeps temps in the 50s, but March delivers 60-65°F sunshine.
- •The desert cools dramatically at sunset. Bring a fleece even if it's 80°F at noon.
What to Pack
Layers are non-negotiable. Temperature can swing 20°F between a foggy morning and a sunny afternoon. Sunscreen with SPF 30+ is essential — the UV index hits 6+ in the desert even when air temps feel mild. Comfortable hiking shoes for wildflower trails and coastal paths. A light jacket or windbreaker handles coastal fog and evening chill.
The 2026 Super Bloom
2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional wildflower year. Death Valley received 2.41 inches of rain from September to November 2025 — more than a typical full year — and the park is predicting a strong bloom. Early wildflowers are already appearing in desert areas as of early 2026.
When conditions align like this, California's deserts transform from bare sand into carpets of gold, purple, and white stretching to the horizon. It's one of the most spectacular natural events in North America, and 2026 looks like a year worth planning around.
- •Stay on trails. Trampling damages plants and causes erosion — NPS is strict about this.
- •Check bloom forecasts before driving hours to a park. TheBloomReport.com and NPS social media post updates.
- •Early morning light (7-9am) gives the best wildflower photography. Midday sun washes out colors.
Death Valley National Park
Peak bloom expected March through April. Daytime highs around 70°F with lows near 43°F make for ideal hiking conditions — warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough to cover miles without overheating. Only a 6% chance of rain.
Entry fee is $30 per vehicle. Stay in Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells — these are the only lodging options inside the park and they sell out fast during bloom season. Book as early as possible. Panamint Springs on the western edge is a backup option.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Free entry — one of California's best deals. Anza-Borrego often blooms 1-2 weeks before Death Valley, so it's a great early March destination. The Anza-Borrego wildflower hotline provides real-time bloom reports updated weekly.
Drive the Borrego Springs loop for carpets of desert lilies, sand verbena, and ocotillo with their flame-red tips. The town of Borrego Springs has a handful of motels and restaurants — small-town desert charm without the national park crowds.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Famous for orange poppy fields visible from space in strong bloom years. 2026 conditions look favorable thanks to above-average fall and winter rainfall. Parking is $10. The reserve sits about 1 hour north of LA near Lancaster.
Peak is usually mid-March to mid-April. The poppies close on cloudy days and in late afternoon, so visit between 10am and 3pm on a sunny day for the best display. Short loop trails (2-7 miles) wind through the hills.
Joshua Tree National Park
Desert wildflowers bloom March through April among the iconic Joshua trees. Daytime highs around 71°F, lows near 44°F. UV index of 6 means sun protection is essential — there's zero shade on most trails.
Entry is $30 per vehicle. Combine Joshua Tree with Anza-Borrego for a 2-3 day desert wildflower loop from LA or San Diego. The park's Cholla Cactus Garden is especially photogenic when surrounding wildflowers are in bloom.
Wine Country in Spring
March is Napa and Sonoma at their most beautiful — green vineyards, wildflower-carpeted hillsides, budding vines — without the summer and fall crush of visitors. Tasting rooms are quieter and winemakers have more time to talk. You'll actually learn something instead of being shuffled through.
This is also when wine country is most affordable. Hotels drop rates, restaurants have open tables, and some wineries run spring promotions on tastings and club memberships.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Napa tasting fee | $40-75 |
| Sonoma tasting fee | $15-25 |
| Wine country hotel | $200-400/night |
| Budget option (Santa Rosa Airbnb) | $120-180/night |
Napa Valley
The Napa Valley Marathon (March 1, 2026) runs from Calistoga to Napa along the Silverado Trail — a scenic race worth watching even if you're not running. Barrel Tasting Weekends run throughout March, letting you sample wine directly from barrels and buy futures at discounted prices.
Calistoga's Winter in the Wineries Passport runs through March 1, offering discounted tastings at participating wineries in the northern valley. Calistoga itself is worth a night — hot springs, walkable downtown, and less pretension than St. Helena or Yountville.
Sonoma County
More relaxed than Napa with lower tasting fees — $15-25 compared to $40-75 in Napa. Healdsburg is the standout town: walkable, excellent restaurants, and wine tasting within walking distance of the central plaza. Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley are the top appellations.
Sonoma Coast wineries are an underrated alternative — cooler climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with Pacific Ocean views. Less crowded, more character.
Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
The PCH is legendary, and March offers it without summer traffic. Yes, it's the tail end of rainy season, so expect occasional wet days, but that creates dramatic coastal atmosphere — moody cliffs, crashing waves, and empty pull-offs where you'd be fighting for parking in July.
The stretch from Monterey to San Luis Obispo is the most iconic section. Budget two full days minimum for Big Sur alone — rushing through defeats the purpose.
- •Book Big Sur accommodations 4-6 weeks ahead. There are only a handful of lodges and they sell out fast.
- •Check CalTrans for PCH closures — mudslides can close sections after rain.
- •Drive south-to-north if you can. You'll be on the ocean side of the road with better pull-off access.
Calla Lilies on Garrapata Trail
Wild calla lilies bloom mid-February to mid-March along Garrapata Creek in Big Sur. White trumpet-shaped flowers line the creek banks in a scene that feels tropical, not Californian. A unique seasonal sight you won't find in any summer guide.
McWay Falls
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. An 80-foot waterfall cascading directly onto a pristine turquoise cove beach. One of the most photographed spots in California and it genuinely lives up to the hype. Short walk from parking — you can see it from the overlook trail in under 10 minutes.
Key Stops North to South
Monterey Bay Aquarium ($55 adult, book tickets online in advance). Carmel-by-the-Sea is free to explore — fairy-tale cottages, art galleries, and a white sand beach. Big Sur: book accommodations early, there are only a handful of lodges and they sell out fast.
Cambria for wine tasting in a quiet coastal town. San Simeon for Hearst Castle ($30 guided tour, reservations recommended). Santa Barbara — the American Riviera — is worth at least a night for State Street, the harbor, and sunset from Shoreline Park.
Where to Eat
California's 2026 food scene is spotlighting cuisines shaped by diaspora communities — Cambodian, Haitian, Palestinian, and Puerto Rican restaurants are having a moment. The 'old-school dining' trend is strong: tech-free experiences, throwback ambiance, and human connection over Instagram aesthetics.
Smaller portions are trending across both fine dining and fast food, with an emphasis on quality ingredients. Coffee shops are evolving into all-day concepts serving wine and small plates by evening.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| LA dinner for two | $50-120 |
| SF Ferry Building lunch | $15-25 |
| SD fish tacos | $8-12 |
| Napa wine + cheese pairing | $60-100 |
Los Angeles
NAM Kitchen in Gardena and Broken Mouth topped Yelp's 2026 Top 100 restaurants list. Grand Central Market downtown remains essential — Tacos Tumbras a Tomas and Eggslut are the headliners. Koreatown delivers some of the best Korean food outside Seoul.
For a splurge, the Arts District restaurants along East 3rd Street have matured into a legitimate dining destination. Casual and high-end within the same block.
San Francisco
Ferry Building Marketplace for local artisan food — Cowgirl Creamery, Hog Island Oysters, Blue Bottle Coffee. Tartine Bakery in the Mission is worth the line. Speaking of the Mission, it has the best burritos in the country — El Farolito and La Taqueria are both legendary. Pick a side.
San Diego
Chula Vista is an underrated foodie destination south of downtown. Carne asada fries on Third Avenue are a San Diego institution. The fish taco scene here is unmatched — no visit is complete without one from a roadside stand. Less tourist crush than downtown Gaslamp Quarter.
Where to Stay
March hotel rates in California run 20-40% below summer peak across the board. You'll find genuine deals in every major city, especially midweek. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for the best selection.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| San Francisco hotel | $180-300/night |
| Los Angeles hotel | $150-280/night |
| San Diego hotel | $140-250/night |
San Francisco ($180-300/night)
Union Square for a central location with easy transit access. The Mission District for food-focused stays — walkable to the best restaurants and bars. Fisherman's Wharf if you're doing the tourist circuit with kids. March rates sit 20-30% below peak summer pricing.
Los Angeles ($150-280/night)
Santa Monica for beach access plus walkability — the best neighborhood if you don't want to drive everywhere. Silver Lake for the trendy, local-feeling experience. Downtown LA for the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Grand Central Market within walking distance.
San Diego ($140-250/night)
Gaslamp Quarter for downtown nightlife and restaurants. La Jolla for upscale coastal vibes — dramatic cliffs, sea lions, and boutique hotels. Pacific Beach for a casual, surf-town atmosphere at lower prices.
Budget Breakdown
California is expensive, but March prices are meaningfully lower than summer peak. Here's what a 7-day trip actually costs for one person, covering the basics without cutting corners.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Flights (domestic) | $150-400 |
| Hotels (7 nights) | $1,000-2,100 |
| Rental car (7 days) | $280-500 |
| Food (7 days) | $350-700 |
| Activities + parks | $150-350 |
| Gas | $80-120 |
| Total | $2,010-4,170 |
Sample 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary
This route runs San Francisco to Los Angeles along the coast, ending with a desert day trip. It covers the state's greatest hits without feeling rushed.
Days 1-2: San Francisco
Arrive SFO. Day 1: Golden Gate Bridge walk, Fisherman's Wharf (skip the tourist traps, go for the sourdough and clam chowder), Ferry Building for lunch. Day 2: Morning at Muir Woods (book parking reservation in advance), afternoon in Sausalito, evening in the Mission District for dinner and bars.
Day 3: Monterey + Carmel
Drive south on Highway 1. Morning at Monterey Bay Aquarium (book online, $55). Afternoon exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea — walk Ocean Avenue, browse galleries, hit Carmel Beach at sunset. Overnight in Carmel or continue into Big Sur.
Day 4: Big Sur
Full day on the coast. Bixby Bridge photo stop, McWay Falls trail, Pfeiffer Beach and its purple sand. If calla lilies are still blooming, hike Garrapata Trail. Overnight at one of Big Sur's handful of lodges — Deetjen's, Big Sur Lodge, or Post Ranch Inn for a splurge.
Day 5: Central Coast to LA
Drive through Cambria (coffee stop and coastal walk). San Simeon for Hearst Castle if that's your thing ($30 tour). Continue south to Santa Barbara for a sunset walk along the harbor and dinner on State Street. Overnight in Santa Barbara or push on to LA.
Days 6-7: Los Angeles + Desert
Day 6: LA food tour — Koreatown for Korean BBQ, Arts District for coffee and galleries, Grand Central Market for lunch. Venice Beach boardwalk or Griffith Observatory at sunset. Day 7: Day trip to Joshua Tree National Park or Antelope Valley poppies (both ~2 hours from LA). Evening flight from LAX.
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