Photo: Wikipedia · Santa Monica, California
What destinations match this weather decision this weekend?
If you're in Salt Lake City staring at 84°F, this weekend's shortlist starts with Santa Monica (72°F).
The question
What destinations match this weather decision this weekend?
Weekend comparison
| Destination | High | Rain | Match | Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica, California | 72°F | 0.15" | 99% | ~590 mi |
| Malibu, California | 73°F | 0.13" | 99% | ~599 mi |
| Monterey, California | 68°F | 0.00" | 96% | ~611 mi |
Where to go
1. Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica in California is one of the clearer matches for beach weather weekends on this weekend’s board — a 72°F high and 66°F low with only light rain on the books (~0.15 in).
Call it a hidden gem or a familiar favorite — either way, the point is the outlook. Travelers trying to find your perfect weather for 2026-09-05 – 2026-09-06 should shortlist Santa Monica before the hotter or wetter options crowd the tab.
Use it as a concrete recommendation: fly or drive for beach weather weekends, keep an eye on updates, and treat 72°F as your planning anchor — not a vague “nice weather somewhere.”
Things to do
- Universal Studios Hollywood (4.6): Amusement center
- Santa Monica Pier (4.6): Storied seaside destination showcasing a range of shops & cafes, plus an amusement park & aquarium.
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (4.6): Amusement park
2. Malibu, California
Photo: Wikipedia · Malibu, California
If you’re scanning for current recommendations, put Malibu near the top of the list: weekend air around 73°F / 65°F, plus only light rain on the books (~0.13 in).
This is the kind of beach stop you discover when you stop browsing generic guides and start asking for weather-perfect weekends. You can actually plan a trip around outdoor time here without pretending the sky will cooperate out of kindness.
If you’re comparing two or three towns, weigh Malibu’s 73°F high against how you actually want to feel outside — then lock the plan once it feels like weather you’ll love.
Things to do
- Malibu Pier (4.5): Iconic circa-1905 pier next to the beach, with shops, restaurants, fishing & people-watching.
- Point Dume (4.8): Tranquil coastal area featuring trails & rocky coves, plus blufftop views of Santa Catalina Island.
- El Matador State Beach (4.7): A collection of 3 small cliff-foot beaches with blufftop parking popular in the summertime.
3. Monterey, California
Photo: Wikipedia · Monterey, California
68°F high · 0.00" rain · ~611 mi
Before you leave
Before you leave1
- Rain is in the forecast — a compact shell or umbrella will save the day.
Before you leave6
- Check the destination weather window
- Download airline app
- Download offline maps
- Confirm reservations (hotel, cars, tours)
- Review airline baggage rules
- Share itinerary with a trusted contact
Bottom line
Santa Monica leads this weekend's board. Use the comparison table if you need a Plan B.
Keep planning
Updated September 1, 2026. Not a substitute for local advisories.