Best Time of Year to Move to Monterey, CA: A Season-by-Season Guide
Wondering about the best time of year to move to Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, or Pebble Beach? Unlike most of the country, our coastal weather seasons and our housing market seasons do not follow the typical summer script.
Watch the full video above for my season-by-season walkthrough of the Monterey Peninsula, or read the highlights below.
Summer (June – August): The Coastal Fog Belt & Peak Activity
Most newcomers expect sunny California beach weather in July — and are surprised by what locals affectionately call “June Gloom,” “No-Sky July,” and “Fogust.” As inland valleys heat up, cool marine air draws coastal fog over Pacific Grove, Monterey, Seaside, and Marina, keeping afternoon temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s. (If you want warm summer sun, head 15 minutes inland to Carmel Valley or along the Highway 68 corridor.) Summer also coincides with the peak military PCS cycle for DLI and NPS and August’s Monterey Car Week.
Fall (September – November): Our Clearest Weather & Calmest Market
Ask any longtime Peninsula resident for their favorite season and they will almost always say September and October. The marine layer pulls back, temperatures warm into the 70s right on the water, the summer tourist crowds thin out, and the housing market enters a calmer, more measured rhythm after the summer PCS rush.
Winter (December – February): Quiet Rainy Days & Negotiation Leverage
Winter brings cooler evenings, green hillsides, and occasional Pacific storm systems (which are also important to watch if you commute down Highway 1 toward Big Sur). Fewer listings hit the market in December and January, but the sellers who are listed during winter are typically motivated by real timelines — making winter a strong window for prepared buyers to negotiate.
Spring (March – May): Wildflowers, Whale Migration & New Inventory
Spring brings migrating whales along the Monterey Bay sanctuary, blooming ice plant along Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove, and the largest wave of new residential listings ahead of the summer moving season.