Typical December weather
Monterey
California · December
62° days
43° nights
about 6 rainy days · 9½ hours of daylight · ocean 57°
What to pack
- Sweater
What December feels like
December is among the wettest months and one of the emptiest, which regulars consider a fair trade. Elephant seals start hauling out at Piedras Blancas down the coast, and the storm swell on Carmel Beach is worth the drive on its own.
Expect about 6 days with real rain — enough to notice, not enough to plan around.
Can you swim?
The ocean runs about 57° — frigid — locals in wetsuits only.
The numbers
| Typical high | 62° |
|---|---|
| Typical low | 43° |
| Days with real rain | 6 |
| Total rain | 2.8 in |
| Water temperature | 57° |
| Sunrise / sunset (mid-month) | 7:12 am / 4:53 pm |