Summer Vibes in LA (Don’t Start Till August)

Summer vibes in LA.

Movies would have you think palm trees and sunny beaches are what summer means in Los Angeles but our true seasons say otherwise.

I love hiking in Griffith Park in the evening because you often get to see the marine layer and its subsequent fog and cloud cover moving in over the city. You can really see and feel how the Pacific Ocean helps regulate temperatures here far into the months most other think as summer.

But if we were to mean “summer” as the hottest months of the year then we are just entering our summer here in LA. Just when all the commercial marketing moves to images of back to school and Fall vibes… we are only just arriving to our hottest months.

The marine layer in Los Angeles refers to the cool, moist air and low-lying clouds that often blanket the coastal areas, particularly during late spring and early summer. This phenomenon is characterized by a layer of clouds, often fog, that forms over the cool ocean waters and is then carried inland by the wind, creating what locals call “May Gray” or “June Gloom” but can still help reduce temperatures into July and even August.

The marine layer forms when warm, dry air moves over the relatively cold Pacific Ocean. The air near the surface cools, becomes saturated with moisture, and forms clouds. These clouds, often stratus clouds, are then transported inland by the wind, sometimes extending several miles into the coastal valleys and even foothills.

Although not unique to just LA , our native layer does make our region unique. Our seasons are not like other’s seasons.

And this marine layer and its moisture found in its fog and clouds help our native flora survive our dry season. Although there is no precipitation there is moisture and cooler temperatures.

So brace yourself for true summer coming soon! Which I always find to be brutal with all the commercials being about scarves and Fall, but hey, at least the Buckwheat is gorgeous and it’s our own unique seasonal color.

#losangelesparks #griffithobservatory #griffithpark #friendsofgriffithpark #losangelesriver #urbannature #californianativeplants #cnpslosangeles #sangabrielmountains #downtownLA #losangelescity