Los Angeles Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in America's entertainment capital and West Coast powerhouse
Whether you're coordinating with Hollywood studios, timing a call with Silicon Beach startups, or catching the stock market open from the West Coast — understanding Los Angeles time is essential for anyone doing business with America's entertainment and tech capital.
Los Angeles operates on Pacific Time (PT), 3 hours behind New York. This means PST (UTC-8) in winter and PDT (UTC-7) in summer. As the heart of the entertainment industry, home to major tech companies, and a gateway to Asia-Pacific trade, LA time drives West Coast business rhythms.
The challenge? When New York's markets open at 9:30 AM EST, it's only 6:30 AM in LA. When London ends their business day at 5:00 PM GMT, LA is just starting lunch. This guide helps you navigate these overlaps and find the perfect windows for international collaboration.
⚡ Quick Facts: Los Angeles Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: PST/PDT (UTC-8)
- • Full Name: Pacific Time
- • Daylight Saving: Observed
- • DST Period: Mar → Nov
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 34.1°N, 118.2°W
- • Region: Americas
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Bank, shop, and restaurant hours in LA
Best Time to Visit
Weather, crowds, and events by season
Remote Work
Working with LA teams across time zones
24 Hours in LA
How Angelenos live around the clock
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling windows from any country
Market Hours
West Coast perspective on trading times
Public Holidays
California holidays and what closes
Digital Nomad
Coworking, beach cafés, and costs
Time Difference
LA time compared to major cities
Travel Planning
Flights, airports, and jet lag tips
Understanding Los Angeles Time
PST vs PDT: The California Clock Change
Los Angeles follows US federal daylight saving rules — "spring forward" on the second Sunday of March, "fall back" on the first Sunday of November. During PST (November-March), LA is UTC-8. During PDT (March-November), LA is UTC-7. This one-hour shift can briefly change international time differences.
The West Coast Challenge: Market Hours
One of the biggest challenges for LA-based professionals is the stock market schedule. With NYSE and NASDAQ opening at 6:30 AM Pacific Time, finance workers often start their days before sunrise. This "early bird" culture shapes LA's business rhythms differently from the East Coast.
Entertainment Industry Hours
Hollywood operates on its own schedule. Studios and agencies often work 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM or later, with call times that can start at 5:00 AM for film shoots. The famous "LA lunch" meeting culture means midday (12-2 PM) is prime networking time. Friday afternoons are notoriously quiet as the industry winds down for the weekend.
Los Angeles Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 🎡 London | +8 hours | 8:00 PM |
| 🗼 Paris | +9 hours | 9:00 PM |
| 🍣 Tokyo | +17 hours | 5:00 AM (+1) |
| 🦁 Singapore | +16 hours | 4:00 AM (+1) |
| 🦘 Sydney | +18 hours | 6:00 AM (+1) |
| 🏙️ Dubai | +12 hours | 12:00 AM (+1) |
| 🌃 Hong Kong | +16 hours | 4:00 AM (+1) |
| 🐻 Berlin | +9 hours | 9:00 PM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
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🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with LA Time
🏢 For International Business
The London-LA window is tight: only 1-2 PM PT catches London before 10 PM GMT. For Asia-Pacific, evening LA calls (5-8 PM PT) reach Tokyo and Sydney in their morning. Plan European calls in LA's morning (9 AM - 12 PM PT) for best overlap.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from Europe? The 10-11 hour flight to LA means you arrive roughly the same time you departed (westward time gain). From Asia, expect significant jet lag — a 15-hour flight from Tokyo crosses the dateline. Check our Jet Lag Advisor!
💼 For Remote Workers
Working remotely with an LA team? Europeans face the biggest challenge — afternoon/evening work becomes necessary to catch LA's business hours. For East Coast remote workers, the 3-hour difference is manageable but means late starts (9 AM PT = 12 PM ET). LA's thriving remote work culture (Silicon Beach, streaming companies) means flexible scheduling is common.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and New York right now?
Los Angeles is always 3 hours behind New York. When it's 12:00 PM in New York, it's 9:00 AM in LA. Both cities follow the same daylight saving schedule, so this 3-hour difference remains constant year-round. This makes East Coast-West Coast business coordination predictable.
Is Los Angeles on PST or PDT right now?
Los Angeles uses PST (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-8) from the first Sunday of November to the second Sunday of March. During summer months, LA switches to PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7). Check the current date — if it's between March and November, LA is likely on PDT. California follows US federal daylight saving rules.
What time does the US stock market open in Los Angeles?
For LA residents, the NYSE and NASDAQ open at 6:30 AM Pacific Time and close at 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Pre-market trading starts at 1:00 AM PT. This means West Coast traders and investors need early mornings to catch market open — a key consideration for finance professionals living in LA.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and London?
Los Angeles is typically 8 hours behind London. When it's 5:00 PM in London, it's 9:00 AM in LA. However, for 2-3 weeks in March and November, this difference shifts to 7 or 9 hours because the US and UK change clocks on different dates. LA switches on the second Sunday of March; UK switches on the last Sunday.
What is the best time to call Los Angeles from Europe?
The best time to call LA from Europe is between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM European time, which reaches LA during their morning business hours (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM PT). For UK callers specifically, 5:00-8:00 PM GMT catches LA professionals at their desks. Avoid calling after 11:00 PM European time.
What time zone is Los Angeles in?
Los Angeles is in the Pacific Time Zone, the same as San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego. This includes PST (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-8) in winter and PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7) in summer. All of California uses Pacific Time, making it the westernmost continental US time zone.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Tokyo?
Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Tokyo during standard time (PST) and 16 hours behind during daylight time (PDT). When it's Monday 9:00 AM in Tokyo, it's Sunday 4:00 PM in LA (PST) or Sunday 5:00 PM (PDT). Japan doesn't observe DST, so the difference changes when LA switches clocks.
What are typical business hours in Los Angeles?
Standard LA business hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. However, entertainment industry hours are famously irregular — studios and agencies often work 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM or later. Tech companies tend toward flexible hours. Banks typically open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: