Is Los Angeles sunnier than Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is the sunnier: about 3,525 hours of sunshine a year versus 3,009 — a difference of 516 hours.

Which is warmer, Los Angeles or Santa Barbara?

Los Angeles is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 25°C (77°F) versus 23°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Los Angeles or Santa Barbara?

Los Angeles scores better across November–February: 84/100 average versus 73, with daytime highs around 21°C.

Which has the warmer sea, Los Angeles or Santa Barbara?

Los Angeles — its sea peaks at about 22°C (72°F) versus 21°C.

Los Angeles vs Santa Barbara: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 142 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Santa Barbara is the sunnier overall: about 3,525 hours of sunshine a year to Los Angeles's 3,009. Month by month it's balanced: each has the higher Sunshine Score in 4 months, with 4 within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

Santa Barbara, United States — Santa Barbara

At a glance

	Los Angeles	Santa Barbara
Sunshine hours / year	3,009	3,525
Sunniest month	June (97/100)	July (100/100)
Nov–Feb average score	84/100	73/100
Jun–Aug average score	97/100	100/100
Rain / year	332 mm	404 mm
Warmest sea	22°C / 72°F	21°C / 70°F
Peak midday UV	10 (very high)	10 (very high)

Los Angeles vs Santa Barbara month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm		Sea °C
Month	Los Angeles	Santa Barbara	Los Angeles	Santa Barbara	Los Angeles	Santa Barbara	Los Angeles	Santa Barbara
January	83	70	20°	18°	73	90	16°	15°
February	83	64	20°	17°	75	78	16°	15°
March	89	81	22°	19°	42	63	15°	15°
April	93	95	23°	20°	19	27	15°	15°
May	95	98	26°	23°	9	11	16°	16°
June	97	99	29°	26°	1	3	19°	18°
July	96	100	32°	28°	2	2	21°	20°
August	97	100	32°	28°	1	1	22°	21°
September	96	99	31°	28°	3	3	21°	21°
October	94	96	28°	25°	17	22	19°	19°
November	92	94	23°	21°	25	32	16°	15°
December	78	65	19°	17°	65	72	15°	14°

The sunnier month by month: Jan Los Angeles · Feb Los Angeles · Mar Los Angeles · Apr even · May Santa Barbara · Jun even · Jul Santa Barbara · Aug Santa Barbara · Sep Santa Barbara · Oct even · Nov even · Dec Los Angeles.

When to pick which

November–February: Los Angeles (average score 84/100 vs 73). Los Angeles is the warmer, around 21°C daytime highs vs 18°C. See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: too close to call — Los Angeles averages 92/100, Santa Barbara 91/100. Los Angeles is the warmer, around 24°C daytime highs vs 21°C.
June–August: Santa Barbara (average score 100/100 vs 97). Los Angeles is the warmer, around 31°C daytime highs vs 27°C.
September–October: Santa Barbara (average score 98/100 vs 95). Los Angeles is the warmer, around 30°C daytime highs vs 27°C.

Sea temperature

Los Angeles's sea gets warmer: 22°C / 72°F at its peak vs 21°C. Swimmable water (21°C+): Los Angeles about 3 months a year, Santa Barbara about 2 months a year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.

Full month-by-month guides: Los Angeles weather by month · Santa Barbara weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Los Angeles vs San Diego · Los Angeles vs Ontario · Santa Barbara vs Ontario · Santa Barbara vs San Luis Obispo · all head-to-heads