Will it be unbearably hot in August for Londoners unused to very hot weather?

[kazzie]

Hi,

I was originally going to visit California this October and travel around for 3 weeks.As my DD only has a weeks holiday from school then it would have meant missing too much school.She misses 7 school days when we visit Orlando this time of year and they are already very unhappy about that time,the California trip would have meant twice as much as that so I cancelled it

The only solution is to go in our long summer holidays at the end of July and whole of August next year but I am wondering if we will be able to 'bear' the weather?

We are thinking of flying in to San Francisco,then going to Yosemite,then Death Valley,Las Vegas(Grand Canyon),Arizona,San Diego then fly home from LA. I'm wondering if the places on the coast will be OK but if I could maybe miss Arizona and probably should avoid Las Vegas but really want to go there!

If any native Californians or anyone else could give me some advice I would really appreciate it.We have only been to Orlando in October time so haven't even experienced great heat there!

............Karen...........

 

[Michelle]

Hi Karen!

Southern California will be warm but certainly not unbearable in August. Our hotter months are usually September and sometimes even October. Plus we have very low humidity so even if it's in the 90s it's not unbearable at all.

Las Vegas and the desert areas on the other hand will be EXTREMELY hot in August. Again, dry heat (VERY dry) but temps easily into the 100s. It's sometimes even so hot that you can't even been in a pool during the heat of the day, you will still be overheated.

San Francisco and San Diego will be perfectly lovely in August. And the Grand Canyon is magnificent, I would include that in your tour if at all possible. If you don't mind staying inside during the heat of the day (that's what casinos are for!) then certainly do visit Las Vegas too. Plenty of people visit the desert areas in the summer but they quickly learn they need to stay inside from late morning until late afternoon.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Peter Pan Fan]

I second Michelle's comments.

You won't have to worry about Anaheim being uncomfortably hot in August. San Francisco (where I am) is nice at that time of the year, you may even need a light sweater if the fog is in. Even though Vegas is quite hot (on our last August trip, it was 118 degrees) it is sooooo worth it to see Vegas AND everywhere is air conditioned. Just hang by the pool during the day and go out at night to see the sights. I definetly wouldn't miss it just because of the weather.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[kazzie]

Thanks to you both

I'll be planning for next August then

 

[madaboutmouse]

kazzie, as one who lives in AZ, do not miss the chance to see the Grand Canyon. IMO, Las Vegas is not worth more than a drive through at night to see the lights and arrive at GC for the sunrise. The Grand Canyon is almost unreal how beautiful it is.

Your itinerary sounds very good and SF, Yosemite, SD, LV, GC, all sound wonderful. Be prepared for Death Valley, it will be excruciatingly hot and dry. Bring lots of sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[kazzie]

Thankyou