About Los Angeles Time
Current Local Time in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, operates on Pacific Time (PT). During Standard Time (NovemberโMarch), LA uses Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8). During Daylight Saving Time (MarchโNovember), it uses Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7).
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind New York City at all times, making it the latest major US time zone on the continental USA. LA is home to Hollywood, the world's entertainment industry hub, Silicon Beach tech startups, and the 2nd largest US metro area.
Hollywood Event Timing
Hollywood is the global center of film and television. Key Hollywood timing information:
- Film studio office hours: 9:00 AM โ 6:00 PM PT, MonโFri
- Award ceremonies: Typically begin at 5:00 PM PT (8:00 PM ET for East Coast broadcast)
- Walk of Fame: Accessible 24/7 along Hollywood Boulevard
- Universal Studios: 9:00 AM โ 10:00 PM (varies seasonally)
- Film premieres: Usually 7:00 PM โ 9:00 PM PT at TCL Chinese Theatre or Dolby Theatre
- Oscars Ceremony: Typically March, begins 5:00 PM PT at Dolby Theatre
Beverly Hills Nightlife Timing
Beverly Hills, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the world, offers luxury experiences at all hours:
- Rodeo Drive shopping: 10:00 AM โ 6:00 PM, MonโSat
- Fine dining reservations: Typically 6:00 PM โ 11:00 PM
- Beverly Hills Hotel bar: Open until 1:00 AM
- Nightclub scene: Begins after 10:00 PM, peaks midnightโ2:00 AM
- Celebrity spotting peak hours: Lunch (12:00โ2:00 PM) at famous restaurants
Santa Monica Sunset Timing
Santa Monica is famous for its stunning Pacific Ocean sunsets, a must-see LA experience:
- Summer sunsets: Approximately 7:55 PM โ 8:10 PM PT (JuneโAugust)
- Winter sunsets: Approximately 4:50 PM โ 5:10 PM PT (DecemberโFebruary)
- Best sunset viewing spot: Santa Monica Pier or Palisades Park
- Golden hour photography: 30โ60 minutes before sunset
- Beach access: Open 24/7 (lifeguards on duty 9:00 AMโ5:00 PM)
For precise today's sunset time in Los Angeles, see the Sun & Moon section above.
Pacific Time Zone Explained
The Pacific Time Zone (PT) covers the US West Coast including California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. It is the 4th standard time zone from the east in the continental USA.
PST vs PDT
Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) is observed from the first Sunday of November to the second Sunday of March. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) is observed during summer months. Unlike Arizona, California does observe Daylight Saving Time.
LA vs NY Time
Los Angeles is always exactly 3 hours behind New York. When financial markets open in New York at 9:30 AM ET, it's 6:30 AM in Los Angeles โ early for most West Coast professionals.
Best Time to Call Los Angeles
- From New York: 9:00 AM ET = 6:00 AM PT (too early), 12:00 PM ET = 9:00 AM PT (good)
- From London: 4:00 PM GMT = 8:00 AM PT (marginal), 6:00 PM GMT = 10:00 AM PT (good)
- From Tokyo: Schedule morning Tokyo time for LA evening: 9:00 AM JST = 4:00 PM PT (previous day) or 10:00 PM JST = 5:00 AM PT (too early)
- Business hours: MondayโFriday, 9:00 AM โ 5:00 PM PT
- Entertainment industry hours: Often 10:00 AM โ 7:00 PM PT