10 US Cities with the Best Weather Year Round

Good weather all depends on what you consider ‘good.’ What feels like cold slush to one person might be perfect weather for a ski bum. And what looks like clear, dry skies might not be as thrilling for the farmer waiting on some rain.

In a country as massive as the U.S., you can find pretty much every weather pattern, climate, and landscape you could wish for.

For the purpose of this article, we’ve gone with the crowd and made the call that ‘good’ weather typically means sunshine and warm temperatures. What’s not to love?

Here are a few U.S. cities with weather that keeps locals outdoors and tourists coming back throughout the year:

10. Carson City, Nevada

Carson City is where Nevada’s desert meets California’s mountains. It’s just east of Lake Tahoe, which is world-famous for its gorgeous summer sunshine and impressive winter snowfall. Although not far from the lake, Carson City has a pretty dry, sunny climate year-round. To put things into perspective, the sun shines for around 266 days a year.

If you’re not a fan of humidity, you’re in luck. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are mild compared with other cities close to the mountains. That said, the city does get some snow, thanks to its high desert elevation. But we’re not complaining!

9. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston isn’t just one of the most gorgeous cities in the country; it also brings warm, coastal vibes all year long. While the summers do get a bit sticky, spring and fall here are beautifully mild, perfect for beach days.

Charleston gets around 209 days of sunshine each year – not bad for a city with a semi-tropical climate! It has a good reputation for showing off all the seasons in glory, just without the extreme weather. Just a handful of winter days dip below freezing, and not many summer days reach scorching hot, either.

It’s worth remembering that because the city is so far south, it does experience a bit of rain. Most of the rain comes in the form of heavy but fleeting summer thunderstorms.

8. Portland, Oregon

Portland might have a bit of a rainy reputation, but if you spend a lot of time here, you’ll know there is more to the story. Sure, winter and early spring do bring a fair share of rain, but I would call it light drizzly rather than a torrential downpour.

When summer rolls around, Portland transforms into a sun-soaked paradise with warm days, cool evenings, and barely a drizzle to speak of. These mild summers are ideal for attending festivals, hiking, and cycling without feeling like you’re being scorched by the sun. As long as you can handle a bit of light rain, it’s no wonder this is such an outdoorsy city.

7. Miami, Florida

If your idea of good weather involves palm tree-lined streets and tropical sunshine, Miami is your place. And I don’t blame you. There is something indulgent about not carrying a jacket around with you at all times.

Miami brings 148 days of sunshine to the table, leaving only a few days for rain and tropical storms. Even in the depth of winter, Miami is pretty warm and inviting. The city sits on the North American Monsoon belt, which brings summer rains and sticky humidity mainly between July and September.

Luckily, these rains come in short, dramatic bursts, soaking the lush landscape but not getting in the way of a beach day.

6. Austin, Texas

It rains a bit during spring, but not hard enough to stop people from floating down the Colorado River or hiking in Hippie Hollow Park. People might visit for the nightlife and music scene, but many stay for its year-round great weather and dry climate.

5. Santa Barbara, California

Located just north of LA on California’s sunny coastline, Santa Barbara is a slice of Mediterranean heaven. Over the course of the year, temperatures stick around the 60s and 70s, with the Pacific keeping things cool during summer.

The ocean does bring in a cool fog in summer. These overcast conditions aside, Santa Barbara sees as many as 329 dry days every year. Just like Los Angeles, winters are sunny and mild. It rarely dips below 45°F here.

4. Denver, Colorado

Denver is one of those classic cities that sees all four seasons, and it’s all part of what makes it so wonderful. Regardless of the occasional snow, the city has a dry and sunny climate for most of the year. Its high altitude and proximity to the Rocky Mountains mean evenings are cool, even in the midst of summer.

Winters do bring snow, but it is typically dry and manageable. Of course, a lot of snow turns slushy very fast in a big city, but sludgy days are few and far between. A small price to pay for being a short drive from some of the country’s best ski resorts!

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Tucked away on the island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is a tropical dreamscape. The city sits on the island’s south shore, offering nearly flawless weather year-round.

Hawaii has a tropical climate with just two seasons. Summer runs from May to October, and winter, between November and April. Temperatures range from 78°F to 85°F no matter the season, with around 270 days of sunshine each year.

Summer is warm and dry, and winter brings monsoon rains and large swells. There is a good reason the world’s best surfers park off on the North Shore of Oahu during this winter spell.

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico

If you ask a Burqueño why they love Albuquerque, chances are they’ll reference the weather.

Albuquerque offers sunshine and high desert beauty with a cool semi-arid climate. The state is affected by the North American Monsoon System, which brings fleeting yet heavy downpours for a brief period between July and September. But locals are only too happy to welcome these monsoon rains.

Humidity is surprisingly low for a city with a monsoon climate, meaning that even as temperatures rise, summer is always comfortable.

1. San Diego, California

San Diego tops the list with near-perfect weather all year round. The city welcomes 266 days of sunshine and is hardly ever swelteringly hot or freezing cold. Rather, temperatures flutter around the 60s and 70s, with mellow winds and no intense humidity.

The Southern Californian city gets a bit of rain over winter, but it’s light and mild. Even on a rainy day, it’s possible to catch the sunset at the beach. There are lots of things to do in San Diego, but its mild weather is a big attraction for anyone looking for that laid-back, coastal Lifestyle.