Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in May
May at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 53°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes May a busy month here.
- Average low
- 53°F
- Average high
- 82°F
Range across the year: 42°F to 97°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Daylight
- 13.8 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in May: about 85,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
It is the single busiest month of the year at Santa Monica Mountains; December, the quietest, runs only about 0.8× the average — a 2-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score May rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is December: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 26% of annual visitors, choosing May instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 13.8 hours of daylight in May to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 722,626 recreation visits, up 13% from 639,745 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 10.3%, so May may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How May compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 78°F / 48°F | 1.1× Average | 62 Good |
| May | 82°F / 53°F | 1.3× Busy | 55 Fair |
| June | 89°F / 57°F | 1.1× Average | 61 Good |
All twelve months at Santa Monica Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Santa Monica Mountains in May
The National Park Service tags 3 Santa Monica Mountains activities for spring. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock · 1-3 hours
- Satwiwa Loop Trail · 1-2 hours
- Solstice Canyon Trail · 2-3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
May averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 53°F at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
May is busy at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is December.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is December. May sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical May sees about 85,000 recreation visits at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Santa Monica Mountains in May
Booking a May trip to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live May availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Santa Monica Mountains
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Santa Monica Mountains in May?
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in May.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.