Month guide · San Diego · United States
San Diego in August
What August is really like in San Diego: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 25°C (77°F), lows of 20°C (68°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.3 hours of daylight. Warmest sea of the year and reliably sunny; book hotels and popular restaurants early.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 25°C (77°F) / 20°C (68°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 22°C (72°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the warmest month in San Diego: days average 25°C (77°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 20°C (68°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with July (24°C (75°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:12
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 19:34
- Daylight
- About 13.3 hours
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F)
Summer (June–August). Grey mornings in June, then reliable sun, warm water and peak crowds; Comic-Con and the Del Mar fair and races drive up prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Del Mar thoroughbred racing (usually through early September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Zoo · Balboa Park
San Diego Zoo
One of the best-known zoos in the world occupies about 40 hectares of canyons on the north side of Balboa Park, with habitats for koalas, polar bears, elephants and great apes.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Torrey Pines
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Park at the beach lot and walk up the road for the full climb, or pay to park at the top for shorter walks.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Views
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
Historic site · Point Loma
Cabrillo National Monument
At the tip of Point Loma, this National Park Service site commemorates Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo's 1542 landing, the first European expedition on the US West Coast.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Nature
Viewpoint · Point Loma
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Stay back from the cliff edges, which are unstable and unfenced in places.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
The sea averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near San Diego.
What to pack
For highs near 25°C, lows near 20°C and 0 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit San Diego?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
San Diego in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit San Diego?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Warmest sea of the year and reliably sunny; book hotels and popular restaurants early.
+How warm is San Diego in August?
Average highs are around 25°C (77°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Diego in August?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.