Santa Barbara has a mild Mediterranean climate year-round, but September and October are widely considered the best months — warm, sunny, and past the summer crowds and "June gloom" coastal fog. Late spring (April-May) brings wildflowers and comfortable temperatures. Summer (June-August) is peak season with the highest prices and crowds, plus morning marine-layer fog that usually burns off by early afternoon. Winter is mild and rainy, good for value travel and whale watching, but with more overcast days.