The month in detail
What to expect in January
In January, Monterey sees 15°C during the day with 4.9h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (24% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in Monterey.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
3 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
8°
Sea
13°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.8h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 23
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Monterey is September (8.1/10), 3.7 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Monterey
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Monterey
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · United States
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthSeptember · 19°C
❄️Coolest monthApril · 14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘMarch · 26%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Monterey ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Temperate oceanic climate with a 8.1 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
36.60°N · 121.89°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Monterey?
August is the best month with 18.0°C highs, 14.0°C lows, 8.5h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of August & September offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Monterey get in August?
Monterey averages 8.5 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.5/10.
What is the rainiest month in Monterey?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Monterey in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 14.0°C, while afternoon highs average 18.0°C.
Is Monterey good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Monterey scores 4.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 7.5/10.
When should you avoid Monterey?
December is the most difficult month to visit Monterey, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Monterey in January?
In January, the sea averages 13°C in Monterey: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Monterey in January?
The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Monterey (moderate), with about 9.8h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.







