Winter in Los Angeles isn’t your typical cold-weather trip. The city enjoys mostly mild, sunny days with the occasional chilly night, making it perfect for layers, light outerwear, and fashion-forward looks. Whether you’re strolling through Hollywood or hiking in Griffith Park, you’ll want to be prepared for diverse activities and changing temps.
L.A. is all about effortless style — think casual chic. Even in winter, you’ll still see locals rocking sunglasses and sipping iced coffee. However, evenings can surprise you with a cold breeze, especially near the beach or downtown, so you’ll want to pack smart.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Los Angeles in winter. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- ☀️ Daytime Temps: 15–22°C (59–72°F)
- 🌙 Nighttime Temps: 8–13°C (46–55°F)
- 🌧️ Occasional rain showers in January and February
- 🏖️ Beach areas can feel windier and cooler in the evening
- 🚘 L.A. is car-friendly — bring comfortable shoes for exploring
What to Pack for Los Angeles in Winter
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Weekender duffle – 👜 Great for short trips or overnight stays
- Daypack – 🎒 Stylish and practical for daily outings
- Packing cubes – 📦 Keep outfits organized and compact
- Shoe bags – 👟 Protect shoes from clothes
- Toiletry bag – 🪥 Clear and TSA-compliant
- Document organizer – 📁 All your travel papers in one spot
- Tote bag – 🛍️ Perfect for shopping or beach days
- Laundry bag – 🧺 Separate worn items easily
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ Avoid overweight fees
- Travel lock – 🔒 Security for your belongings
- Tech pouch – 💽 Store chargers and accessories
- Quick-dry towel – 🧻 Handy for beach or yoga
- Neck pillow – 🛏️ For the flight or car rides
- Sleep mask – 😴 Block out light for better rest
👗 Clothes
- Short-sleeve tees (3–5) – 👕 Layer under jackets
- Long-sleeve tops (3–4) – 👚 Great for chilly mornings
- Light sweaters (2–3) – 🧶 Stylish and cozy
- Blazer or denim jacket – 🧥 For going out or layering
- Jeans (2 pairs) – 👖 Casual and versatile
- Black trousers – 👔 For chic dinners or shows
- Skirts or midi dresses – 👗 Layer with tights for winter chic
- Maxi dress – 👠 Glam but comfy for outings
- Lightweight outerwear – 🧥 Think trench coat or moto jacket
- Activewear – 🏃♀️ For hikes or workouts
- Pajamas – 💤 Comfy and seasonally appropriate
- Swimsuit – 👙 For heated pools or spa days
- Cover-up – 🩱 A light one for poolside lounging
- Underwear (7+) – 🩲 Essentials, always
- Bras (2–3) – 👙 Everyday and sports options
- Socks (7+) – 🧦 Bring a few warm pairs
- Tights – 🧤 Pair with skirts for added warmth
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧼 Remove city grime
- Toner – 💧 Hydrate & balance skin
- Moisturizer – 🧴 Keep skin dewy in dry air
- SPF sunscreen – 🌞 Yes, even in winter!
- Makeup remover – 🧽 Wipes or micellar water
- Exfoliator – 🧖 Use 1–2x for glowing skin
- Eye cream – 👁️ Reduce puffiness from travel
- Facial mist – 💦 Mid-day refresh
- Sheet masks – 🛁 Pamper night pick-me-up
- Lip balm – 💋 Combat dry lips
- Spot treatment – 🎯 For unexpected breakouts
💄 Makeup
- Foundation or BB cream – 🧴 Lightweight preferred
- Concealer – 👁️ Hide late-night traces
- Setting powder – 🧂 Control shine
- Blush – 🌸 Fresh pop of color
- Highlighter – ✨ Catch the L.A. sun
- Bronzer – 🌞 Year-round glow
- Neutral palette – 🎨 Go from day to night
- Eyeliner – ✏️ Classic touch
- Mascara – 👁️ Essential for definition
- Brow gel – 🪮 Frame your face
- Lipsticks/gloss – 💄 Nude + bold shade
- Setting spray – 💨 Keeps it fresh
- Brush set – 🖌️ Don’t forget a travel case
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or comb – 💇 Tame the L.A. breeze
- Hair ties & clips – 🧷 Functional & stylish
- Travel shampoo/conditioner – 🚿 TSA-size please
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ Freshen between washes
- Heat protectant spray – 🔥 For styling
- Styling cream – 💁 For smooth waves
- Mini blow dryer – 💨 Hotel ones are iffy
- Flat iron or curler – 🌀 Depending on your look
- Hair serum – ✨ For frizz control
- Headbands/scrunchies – 🧣 Cute and handy
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Sneakers – 👟 For walking & sightseeing
- Flat boots – 👢 Stylish for evenings
- Sandals – 🩴 Warm days or spa visits
- Dressy shoes – 👠 If you’re hitting a fancy spot
- Water shoes – 🩱 Not necessary unless heading to rocky shores
- Belt – 👖 Elevates a basic outfit
- Sun hat – 👒 For daytime glam
- Scarf – 🧣 Light or wool depending on forecast
- Gloves – 🧤 Optional, for extra warmth
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ Absolutely essential
- Jewelry – 💍 Statement earrings or layering pieces
- Watch – ⌚ Or fitness tracker
- Crossbody bag – 👜 Secure for city exploring
- Compact umbrella – ☔ Just in case of rain
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport or ID – 🪪 Required for flights & car rentals
- Visa (if needed) – 🧾 Check entry rules
- Travel insurance – 📋 Always a smart move
- Boarding passes – 🛫 Printed or app version
- Trip itinerary – 📅 Digital or hard copy
- Cash & cards – 💳 Mix of both
- Emergency contacts – 📱 Keep a list
- Maps & guides – 🗺️ Offline is best for coverage gaps
- Receipts & reservations – 📂 Handy for check-ins
- Travel notebook – 📝 For notes or journaling
- Wallet – 👛 RFID-blocking preferred
- Valuables – 💎 Pack safely or leave home
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 For blisters or cuts
- Antiseptic wipes – 🧼 Stay clean on the go
- Gauze pads & tape – 🩺 For bigger injuries
- Tweezers – ✂️ Multi-use tool
- Thermometer – 🌡️ Travel-size
- Scissors – ✂️ Small and TSA-compliant
- Cotton pads & Q-tips – 🧽 Hygiene essentials
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – 💊 Bring enough for your trip
- Pain relievers – 🤕 For any aches
- Allergy meds – 🌾 Seasonal changes can trigger symptoms
- Motion sickness pills – 🚗 If driving in the hills
- Vitamins – 🍊 Keep your immunity up
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 Bring your preferred products
- Hand sanitizer – 🧴 Must-have in the city
- Wet wipes – 🧻 Multi-use cleaning
- Bug spray – 🦟 Not a big issue, optional
- Contraceptives – 🔒 Travel responsibly
- Eye drops – 👁️ For dry L.A. air
- Contact lenses/solution – 👓 If applicable
- Mirror – 🪞 Compact travel version
- Toothbrush/toothpaste – 🪥 Travel-size
- Floss – 🧵 Oral care essential
- Deodorant – 🧼 Keep fresh
- Razor – 🪒 For grooming
- Nail kit – 💅 File, clippers, buffer
- Perfume/rollerball – 🌹 Small & chic
- Tissues – 🤧 Pocket packs
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Smartphone – 📱 With charger and apps
- Tablet or laptop – 💻 For work or streaming
- Camera – 📸 Capture the memories
- Chargers – 🔌 Don’t forget your cords
- Power bank – 🔋 For long days out
- Universal adapter – 🔌 If traveling internationally
- External hard drive – 💾 Optional backup
- Offline maps/apps – 🗺️ L.A. has traffic… be ready
- Local SIM or Wi-Fi device – 📶 Stay connected
- Kindle or e-reader – 📚 Great for flights
- Headphones – 🎧 Noise-canceling if possible
- Waterproof phone case – 💦 Optional but handy
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – 📖 For downtime
- Offline shows/movies – 🎬 For flights or chill days
- Podcasts & music – 🎵 Curate your L.A. playlist
- Travel journal – 📓 Capture the journey
- Card games – 🃏 Great for groups
- Magazines – 📰 Airport or beach reads
🎁 Extras
- Healthy snacks – 🍫 Keep energized on the go
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 Stay hydrated
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ For finds at The Grove
- Travel detergent – 🧴 For hand-washing
- Sewing kit – 🧵 For wardrobe emergencies
- Safety whistle – 📢 Always wise
- Lint roller – 🧼 Stay camera-ready
- Footrest – 🦶 Flight comfort
- Shoe deodorizer – 👃 Keep things fresh
- Melatonin or sleep aid – 🌙 Jet lag helper
🌍 Travel Tips
- Check TSA and airline rules – ✈️ LAX is strict
- Confirm bookings – 🧾 Stay organized
- Download Uber/Lyft – 🚕 You’ll need it here
- Pack a day-one outfit on top – 👕 Quick change
- Keep valuables in carry-on – 🎒 Never in checked bags
- Photo your luggage – 📸 In case it’s lost
- Notify your bank – 🏦 Avoid card blocks
🛂 Visa Tips
- Apply early if required – 📅 Don’t wait
- Bring hard copies – 🖨️ For peace of mind
- Passport photos – 🧑💼 May be needed
- Proof of return flight – 🎫 Just in case
- Check customs restrictions – 🧳 Avoid surprises
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport or ID – 🛂 Always with you
- Travel insurance – 🩺 Essential for peace of mind
- Emergency contacts – 📞 Digital + written
- Debit/credit cards – 💳 Plus some cash
- Phone + charger – 📱 Lifeline of travel
- Medications – 💊 Take enough
- Offline maps – 🗺️ L.A. is sprawling
- Confirmed bookings – 📝 Show proof easily
- Daypack – 🎒 For outings
- Reusable water bottle – 💧 Hydration essential
👍 Good-to-Have
- Hydration packs – 🚰 For hikes
- Garment steamer – 👔 Keep outfits fresh
- Eye mask – 😴 For better rest
- Bluetooth headphones – 🎧 Wireless freedom
- Travel blanket – 🧣 For flights or chilly nights
- Neck pillow – 🛏️ Sleep support
- Luggage tags – 🏷️ Personalize your bag
- SIM or eSIM – 📶 For cheaper data
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ For souvenirs
