Revealed: The North American Destinations Closest to Brits’ Ideal Holiday Temperature

We’ve all stepped off a plane in a foreign land and greeted that wall of warmth with excitement. ‘The mild, wet British rain can’t hurt you here’, it says.

Plenty of people will tell you that ‘it’s a different heat abroad’ and popular travel destinations like Las Vegas are indeed less humid than the UK. But 30°C or above is still hot.

In fact, it might be too hot.

Because, for many British travellers, the idea of a perfect holiday is changing. Scorching hot weather, high-summer breaks and everything that comes with them, like doing that little dance across the sand to stop your feet from burning, once dominated travel wish lists.

Now, the trend of coolcations – where holidaymakers choose destinations with milder climates to escape extreme heat – is growing in popularity.

According to YouGov research, two in five Brits (40%) say the ideal outdoor temperature for a holiday is around 21-25°C.1 With this in mind, Journeyscape analysed major destinations across the US and Canada to find the places that come closest to this preferred holiday climate.

How we calculated the top coolcation spots

Using 23°C as the midpoint, our study compares average monthly rainfall and humidity across popular North American destinations.

Our findings use hourly weather data to identify the typical best time of year for Brits to visit each destination, focusing on daytime conditions between 9am and 6pm local time.

These averages provide insight into typical conditions during the day when travellers are likely to be out exploring. 

We chose the factors (temperature, humidity and rainfall) because they can significantly affect how much enjoyment travellers get from a holiday. Too hot and humid and you can struggle to cool down, leaving you feeling tired, uncomfortable and susceptible to dehydration. Too rainy, and your activities or the whole itinerary may be restricted or need to be changed completely. 

Each destination was then given a “coolcation score” out of 10 based on the month with the best balance of comfortable daytime temperatures, lower daytime precipitation and lower daytime humidity.

So, if you’re planning a holiday to the USA or a bespoke trip to Canada and you’re wondering which climes are going to be most suitable, we’ve done the hard work for you.

The rankings at a glance

1. San Diego, California, was named the best US coolcation destination for Brits, with July offering the city’s closest match to ideal daytime conditions. Its daytime average temperature is just over half a degree away from the ideal 23°C benchmark, with no recorded daytime precipitation in its best-performing month.
2. Seattle placed second in the US ranking, also performing best in July. Despite its reputation for rain, the city recorded just 1.5mm of daytime precipitation in its top coolcation month, alongside a daytime average temperature of just over 22°C.
3. Victoria, British Columbia, was named Canada’s best coolcation destination, scoring 9.90 out of 10. July is the city’s ideal month, with a daytime average temperature of slightly above 22°C and just 0.2mm of daytime precipitation.
4. July is the strongest overall month for North American coolcations, appearing as the best-performing month for half of the combined US and Canadian top destinations.
5. Three West Coast US cities, San Diego, Seattle and Portland, appear in the US top five, with their July climate the most ideal for coolcationers. This gives you an ideal route for self-driving holidays without extreme heat.

The top 10 coolcation locations in the United States

*based on proximity to the average 23°C temperature

San Diego, California, coolcation score: 9.92/10

San Diego ranks as the highest-scoring US coolcation destination for British travellers, with July named as its closest-matching month.

According to our data, the Californian city’s daytime average temperature is around half a degree below the ideal 23°C benchmark. It also recorded no daytime precipitation in its best-performing month, giving travellers a strong chance of dry conditions during the hours they are most likely to be exploring.

With daytime humidity at just over 63%, San Diego also remains comfortably below the 65% threshold used for the highest humidity score in the study. This gives the city a particularly strong balance of warmth, dryness and comfort.

Seattle, Washington, coolcation score: 9.89/10

Seattle places second in the US ranking, with July named as its ideal month for a coolcation.

Although it’s often associated with grey skies and rain, our research has found that Seattle’s conditions in July are ideal for coolcationers. With a daytime average temperature just less than 1°C below the ideal benchmark.

Daytime rainfall is also very low, at just 1.5mm, while daytime humidity sits at a touch over 50% – making July the ideal month for exploring the waterfront, Pike Place Market, nearby islands, parks and views across Puget Sound.

The Emerald City’s second-place shows the importance of properly researching daytime conditions when holiday planning. While Seattle may not always be seen as an obvious warm weather choice, its 9.89 coolcation score proves the city can offer a comfortable balance for travellers who want active days without extreme heat.

Orlando, Florida, coolcation score: 9.84/10

With a daytime temperature less than 1°C away from the 23°C ideal and just 2.8mm of rainfall, Orlando places third on our list, with November the best time to visit. 

Rather than travelling during the hottest and busiest periods, visitors may find the 11th month to be more manageable for experiencing Orlando. 

One of the best ways to do this is on a road trip, which gives you the opportunity to take in the stunning and varied Florida landscape. Exploring the Everglades, snorkelling around coral reefs in Florida Keys, relaxing on white sandy beaches, discovering Miami’s art deco architecture, and experiencing the buzz of Orlando – there’s so much to do and see in Florida.

Daytime humidity is just over 57%, suggesting that O-Town could be a more comfortable option outside the peak summer months, particularly if you’re planning outdoor activities and longer days on foot, like visiting Wekiwa Springs State Park, Rock Springs or the 50-acre botanical oasis of Harry P Leu Gardens.

The best Canadian destinations for a coolcation

*based on proximity to the average 23°C temperature

Victoria, British Columbia, coolcation score: 9.90/10

Victoria is Canada’s top coolcation destination, scoring 9.90 out of 10. July is the ideal month for coolcationers, with a daytime average temperature three-quarters of a degree lower than the ideal benchmark.

The city’s standout factor is its low daytime precipitation. Victoria records just 0.2mm in July, the lowest of any Canadian destination analysed. Daytime humidity is also low by Canadian standards, just less than 49%.

Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is ideal for travellers looking for harbour views, gardens, coastal walks, whale watching and a slower-paced city experience. Its dry, mild July conditions make it particularly appealing for exploring on foot or spending time by the water.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, coolcation score: 9.70/10

Halifax ranks second in Canada, with August named as an ideal month for a coolcation. The city’s daytime average temperature is slightly over one degree below the ideal 23°C benchmark. Daytime humidity is a little over 56%, while daytime precipitation is 11.8mm.

For travellers drawn to Atlantic Canada, Halifax offers a strong balance of coastal character, maritime history, harbourfront walks and easy access to scenic day trips. August’s comfortable daytime conditions make it well-suited to exploring the city, heading out along the coast, or building a wider Nova Scotia itinerary.

Halifax also shows that coolcations do not have to be limited to mountain or inland destinations. Coastal cities can offer a strong balance of fresh air, manageable warmth and plenty to do outdoors.

Vancouver, British Columbia, coolcation score: 9.69/10

With an average daytime temperature of just over 1.5°C below the ideal benchmark, daytime humidity levels around 55% and rainfall at 7.8mm, Vancouver in July finishes third in our coolcation ranking.

Vancouver gives travellers the opportunity to immerse themselves in its vibrant city life or escape to its stunning scenery, with attractions like Stanley Park and Granville Public Market.

And, if you’re heading to Vancouver as part of a larger Canadian tour, Vancouver has first-rate travel links to the rest of British Columbia and the Rockies.

When is the best time to take a North American coolcation?

The best time to visit North America is not always the traditional peak summer period. By looking into the highest-scoring coolcation month for each destination, our data reveals when British travellers are most likely to find comfortable temperatures, lower rainfall, and more manageable humidity.

July is officially the best month to visit the US if you want to avoid extreme heat

July emerged as the strongest month across our US ranking, with San Diego (1st), Seattle (2nd) and Portland (5th) all recording their best coolcation conditions in the seventh month.

If you’re planning a summer holiday or bespoke USA tour, it helps to know where the weather is most likely to suit you. For British travellers, July is the ideal month to visit San Diego, Seattle and Portland, with average temperatures closest to the comfortable conditions many of us look for on holiday.

With three very different West Coast cities all at their best in the same month, you could build a memorable USA trip around beaches, food, culture and city breaks, without spending the whole time escaping the heat.

Elsewhere, the best time for a coolcation falls outside the traditional summer holiday period. April is the ideal month for Las Vegas, May works best for Los Angeles, while Denver and Salt Lake City are at their most comfortable in September. For Orlando, November offers temperatures closest to the ideal range for Brits.

It is a reminder of just how varied the US climate can be, and how much scope there is to plan a brilliant trip beyond the peak summer months.

August is the ideal month to visit Canada for a coolcation

Meanwhile, in Canada, August appears most often as the best coolcation month, with Halifax, Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary and Banff all recording their strongest scores then.

While August is Canada’s strongest month overall for a coolcation, the country’s top-ranked city (Victoria) is at its most comfortable in July. Third-place Vancouver also records its best coolcation conditions that month, giving travellers two great options for a Canadian summer tour without the risk of feeling too hot or sticky.

Ottawa (9.68) and Montreal (9.60) also share an ideal coolcation month: June. These results show how a Canadian itinerary could stretch across the summer, with comfortable city breaks available from June through to August.

The driest American cities for a coolcation

Rainfall can make a big difference to how enjoyable a holiday feels, especially for travellers planning walking tours, road trips, national parks, or outdoor sightseeing.

San Diego recorded the lowest average daytime rainfall of any US destination in its best-performing coolcation month, with 0.0mm in July. Portland was close behind at 0.1mm, while Las Vegas and San Francisco both recorded 0.4mm.

This helps explain why West Coast and western US destinations perform so strongly in the overall ranking. For travellers planning coastal walks, city sightseeing, scenic drives or national park routes, lower daytime precipitation means more freedom to spend the holiday outdoors.

Victoria is the driest coolcation destination in Canada

Victoria is Canada’s standout destination for low daytime precipitation, recording just 0.2mm in July, making it the driest Canadian coolcation destination in the study.

Vancouver also performs well, with 7.8mm of daytime precipitation in July. This gives British Columbia the top two Canadian spots for dry coolcation conditions, making the province a strong option for travellers planning coastal walks, city exploring, island visits and scenic routes.

The least humid American cities for a coolcation

Due to the British Isles’ location and proximity to the sea, our climate is relatively humid, making hot weather feel different from that in other countries.

And, as we all know from British heatwaves, increased humidity can make any outdoor activity feel more tiring even when temperatures seem manageable.

Across the US cities in this study, average daytime humidity in each destination’s best-performing coolcation month was 51.6%. The driest-feeling destinations were concentrated in the western US.

Las Vegas recorded the lowest daytime humidity of any US destination, with an average of less than 13% in April – that’s more than three times higher than our US data’s average.

Salt Lake City followed with less than 28% in September, while Denver recorded slightly over 34% in the same month.

These lower humidity levels are particularly useful for active trips, where travellers may be walking, hiking, sightseeing, or spending full days outside. It also helps explain why destinations such as Las Vegas, Denver and Salt Lake City rank so highly overall – combining drier-feeling conditions with strong temperature scores.

Banff is Canada’s least humid coolcation destination

In Canada, the average daytime humidity in each destination’s closest-matching coolcation month was 55.2%.

Banff recorded the lowest daytime humidity of any Canadian destination in the study, with slightly over 48% in August. Victoria followed closely at nearly 49%, while Montreal recorded just under 53% in June.

Although Banff’s daytime average temperature is farther from the 23°C ideal than in some Canadian cities, its lower humidity makes it feel fresher and more comfortable for outdoor activities.

Why coolcations are changing how Brits travel

As well as being a Journeyscape Travel Expert, Rob Holmes has been visiting Canada and the US for more than 20 years. Here, Rob explains the coolcation trend and why Brits are moving away from hotter holidays.

“The rise of the coolcation reflects a wider shift in how people think about holidays, with comfort becoming just as important as sunshine.

“Rather than choosing the hottest destination available, holidaymakers are increasingly asking where they can properly enjoy their time away. This is particularly relevant for North American holidays, where many of the most memorable experiences involve being active.

“City sightseeing, hiking, coastal drives, national parks, lake visits and long days on the road are all easier to enjoy when temperatures are warm but manageable.

“The appeal of a coolcation is not necessarily about avoiding warmth altogether. Instead, it’s about finding the right kind of warmth. A destination close to the 21–25°C range can still feel bright, summery and energising, but without the exhaustion that can come with very high temperatures.

“It also encourages travellers to think differently about timing. Visiting San Diego, Seattle or Portland in July, Los Angeles in May, Las Vegas in April, or Orlando in November may offer a more comfortable experience than travelling during the hottest or busiest periods.”

Methodology

Journeyscape is a specialist in North American holidays, curating inspiring, authentic, and extraordinary journeys, all delivered with exceptional customer service. We offer unforgettable tours and experiences across Canada and North America, including rail holidays.

To identify the best North American destinations for a “coolcation”, Journeyscape analysed daytime weather conditions across a seed list of popular travel destinations in the United States and Canada.

Hourly weather data was sourced using Open-Meteo’s historical weather API. For each destination, we analysed hourly weather data for every month of 2025 and filtered this to daytime hours only, defined as 9am to 6pm local time.

For each destination and month, we calculated:

• Average daytime temperature between 9am and 6pm
• Average daytime humidity between 9am and 6pm
• Total daytime precipitation between 9am and 6pm

Each city-month combination was then scored across three factors:

1.Temperature suitability

The average daytime temperature was compared against an ideal holiday temperature midpoint of 23°C, based on an ideal temperature range of 21°C to 25°C. Destinations closest to 23°C received the highest scores.

2.Daytime rainfall

Total daytime precipitation was scored, with destinations receiving less rainfall during daytime hours scoring higher.

3.Daytime humidity

Average daytime humidity was scored using bands, with lower humidity receiving higher scores:

• Under 65% = 10/10
• 65% to 69.9% = 8/10
• 70% to 74.9% = 6/10
• 75% to 79.9% = 4/10
• 80% or above = 2/10

The final coolcation score was calculated using the following weighting:

• Temperature suitability: 50%
• Daytime rainfall: 25%
• Daytime humidity: 25%

All destination-month combinations were scored first. The highest-scoring month for each destination was then selected as that destination’s best month for coolcation conditions.

Destinations were finally ranked based on this best-month score. This means the ranking shows the destinations with the most suitable daytime weather for a coolcation during their best-performing month, rather than ranking destinations based on year-round weather.

Additional sources

1. YouGov: Three in ten Britons would cancel a 40°C holiday