Tell me about Disneyland in Oct/Nov and the weather

[Walt Disney1955]

The first week of September I have a hotel booked along Harbor Blvd. The thing is, financially I am not sure we can make it, and may need another month or two to save. We plan on being down there for 9 days and would love to see many of the beaches too. Venice, Huntington, Laguna, etc. Now, I am from Canada. Privately we kind of chuckle when Americans in the south think something is "cold". I am trying to get a grasp on whether or not the water on the beaches would be swimmable in SoCal as late as early November. Or October. I know September would be fine.

But while I know the crowds for the most part are lenient at the parks in September, October and especially November I am wondering about the beach weather. Will people still be swimming lots at that time? Is it warm enough to do so?

Thanks

 

[Californian Elitist]

The cold here in SoCal is different. The cold here is very crisp and breezy. Don't underestimate the cold here; I hear East coasters always talking about how they didn't think they needed a jacket for anything in particular and how sorely wrong they were. It can get cold at the beach during October and November, especially with that sea breeze. I'd be prepared to bring a jacket or a sweat jacket/shirt. People will get in the water, no matter what. By the way our beach water is cold, not warm.

Just a reminder, you'll be catching Haunted Mansion Holiday and Ghost Galaxy if you go in October. So if you want to see the regular showings, might wanna think twice about going during that time.

 

[Maryssa*]

It's so unpredictable these days honestly :x Wasn't it just this past year it was 80 deg at the beginning of November?

Crowds can get busy but not too insane, a lot of AP holders come back around this time for the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday etc etc. But it's a great time to see DLR!

 

[Laura]

I don't consider the water swimmable no matter what time of year it is. I will not step a toe into that frigid water and I am someone who LOVES to be in the waves. It's like ice.

I don't think many people around here get in the water unless they have a wetsuit. It never warms up above the 50's and 60's and it's very unpleasant. People around here go to the beach to get a tan or surf. Swimming? Not so much. Head to the east coast if you want an ocean you can swim in.

It is also incredibly cold (air temperature-wise) anytime the sun is not out, all year long. SoCal is not "the south". In the hottest part of the summer, it rarely gets about 75 degrees on the coast and there's no humidity.

I'm from upstate NY and spent 18 years of my life in a place where 10 feet of lake effect snow on the ground from October to April is normal and I still think it's freezing cold in California.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I'm from upstate NY and spent 18 years of my life in a place where 10 feet of lake effect snow on the ground from October to April is normal and I still think it's freezing cold in California.

Fellow Buffalonian?

The important thing to note about swimming in the ocean is that the Atlantic Ocean current comes up from the Caribbean and the Pacific current comes down the coast of California from Canada and Alaska.

 

[Laura]

Fellow Buffalonian?

The important thing to note about swimming in the ocean is that the Atlantic Ocean current comes up from the Caribbean and the Pacific current comes down the coast of California from Canada and Alaska.

About 2 1/2 hours east of Buffalo on the "corner" of the lake.

And I did not know that about the currents. That sure explains a lot! It's really too bad. I live close enough to the Pacific Ocean to ride my bike there and I LOVE to swim in oceans and play in the waves, but I won't step foot in the water here because it's too cold for me. If it was warm, I'd be out there daily.

 

[Maryssa*]

So I'm not the only one who gets made fun of when I say it's cold here! I also grew up in NY and people always say "you're from NY how are you cold?"

 

[Californian Elitist]

So I'm not the only one who gets made fun of when I say it's cold here! I also grew up in NY and people always say "you're from NY how are you cold?"

My dad is from Brooklyn, NY and he moved to Los Angeles, CA when he was eighteen. He's always talking about how cold he is! He also says he never knew there was such as a sun before he moved to California hahaha.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Alright, so to the locals that know a thing or two about the area (or just anyone in general) would people still be on the beaches in early November swimming? Or tanning? I'd like to experience a true California aura at the beach. Just wondering if there are still flocks of people on the beach in November or not.

 

[Laura]

Alright, so to the locals that know a thing or two about the area (or just anyone in general) would people still be on the beaches in early November swimming? Or tanning? I'd like to experience a true California aura at the beach. Just wondering if there are still flocks of people on the beach in November or not.

There are flocks of people on the beach every day of the year (except the 3-4 days when it rains). Probably not swimming, but lots of surfing.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Alright, so to the locals that know a thing or two about the area (or just anyone in general) would people still be on the beaches in early November swimming? Or tanning? I'd like to experience a true California aura at the beach. Just wondering if there are still flocks of people on the beach in November or not.

If you want that "gnarly", "dude", "what's goin' on, brah?", tanning in the sun all day vibe, I suggest you wait for summer.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

There are flocks of people on the beach every day of the year (except the 3-4 days when it rains). Probably not swimming, but lots of surfing.

I know it sounds crazy, but I was always wondering which beach would have that "Baywatch" feel to it. Yeah, yeah, I know, crazy, but I've just always wanted to hit those types of beaches. I understand Huntington and Venice beach are the closest to that type of thing. But you say there are people on the beach all year round huh? Even "flocks" of people? In November even?

 

[Californian Elitist]

I know it sounds crazy, but I was always wondering which beach would have that "Baywatch" feel to it. Yeah, yeah, I know, crazy, but I've just always wanted to hit those types of beaches.

You want something like this?

 

[Walt Disney1955]

You want something like this?

Yeah I would like that. Where is that? Venice beach?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yeah I would like that. Where is that? Venice beach?

Nope, Coronado Beach. In San Diego. Venice is kinda like this. I don't think you'll be disappointed, Venice is the epitome of the Los Angeles culture.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Nope, Coronado Beach. In San Diego. Venice is kinda like this. I don't think you'll be disappointed, Venice is the epitome of the Los Angeles culture.

Excellent. And if I were to not make it by September and had to settle for November, would there still be lots of people on the beach like that? And would the water be swimmable?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Excellent. And if I were to not make it by September and had to settle for November, would there still be lots of people on the beach like that? And would the water be swimmable?

You'll see people... It may or may not look like this. Summer is the best time to catch a scene of the beach like this, especially with the skies being really blue and the bright sunshine. November can be gloomy and it rains sometimes. People are always going to go to the beach but there won't be tons of people on the beach in November. The beach water here is cold and us Californians go to the beach to sit on the sand, read, tan, or surf. You rarely catch people swimming, but more just getting wet. No one really swims in it. The cold water is perfect for the heat but I wouldn't go in it in November.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

You'll see people... It may or may not look like this. Summer is the best time to catch a scene of the beach like this, especially with the skies being really blue and the bright sunshine. November can be gloomy and it rains sometimes. People are always going to go to the beach but there won't be tons of people on the beach in November. The beach water here is cold and us Californians go to the beach to sit on the sand, read, tan, or surf. You rarely catch people swimming, but more just getting wet. No one really swims in it. The cold water is perfect for the heat but I wouldn't go in it in November.

Alright, thanks for the information. October might be a bit better for swimming would it? Or is it more of the same?

 

[Californian Elitist]

Alright, thanks for the information. October might be a bit better for swimming would it? Or is it more of the same?

Your welcome. It's more the same. If you wanna get the full, California beach experience, you should go during the summer.

 

[Maryssa*]

Venice beach (and santa monica) is kind of... gross :x if you want to visit a nicer beach head up to Malibu (and eat at Gladstones!) or go down to Hermosa/Redondo or down to OC. I have been to the beach in October in recent years because of the crazy random heat waves, but the water is still pretty cold. Cali ocean is cold in general due to the way the currents run along the coast.