Quick answer
Homes in Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice, and the South Bay beach cities often feel damp because the marine layer brings moist air, and mild temperatures mean the AC rarely runs long enough to dry the air. Keeping indoor humidity around 30–50% helps limit mold and dust mites.
Why AC alone may not fix it
An air conditioner removes moisture only while its coil is cold. On mild days it may barely run. Oversized systems make it worse by cycling off quickly. Variable-speed equipment with a dehumidify setting, or a dedicated whole-home dehumidifier, can help.
Simple steps
Run bath fans during and 20 minutes after showers. Use the range hood when cooking. Set the thermostat fan to Auto, not On, so moisture on the coil isn't blown back into the room. Use an inexpensive hygrometer to track humidity.
