Best time to visit · San Diego · United States
The best time to visit San Diego
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Nauticashades ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
San Diego works all year, but September and October are the sweet spot: the sea is still warm, the coast is often at its sunniest, and summer crowds and prices have dropped. April and May are mild and comfortable, though mornings are often grey, while July and August bring the warmest weather together with the highest prices.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, June and November
- Warmest month
- August (avg high 25°C (77°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 19°C (66°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~7 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Seasons
San Diego has a mild semi-arid Mediterranean climate: warm, dry summers, mild winters with occasional rain, and a coastal marine layer that brings grey skies on many May and June mornings ('May Gray' and 'June Gloom'). Inland areas are noticeably hotter in summer.
March–May
Spring
Mild days, spring break crowds in March, the Carlsbad flower fields and desert blooms after wet winters; morning marine layer grows by May.
June–August
Summer
Grey mornings in June, then reliable sun, warm water and peak crowds; Comic-Con and the Del Mar fair and races drive up prices.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea, clear skies and fewer visitors; occasional Santa Ana heat waves in October.
December–February
Winter
Mild, sometimes rainy, with cool evenings, whale-watching and the lowest hotel rates outside the holidays.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 9°C | 7 | 15°C | 10.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 19°C | 10°C | 7 | 15°C | 11 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 19°C | 12°C | 7 | 15°C | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 21°C | 13°C | 4 | 16°C | 12.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 21°C | 16°C | 2 | 17°C | 13.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 22°C | 17°C | 1 | 19°C | 14.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 24°C | 19°C | 0 | 21°C | 14.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 25°C | 20°C | 0 | 22°C | 13.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 25°C | 19°C | 1 | 21°C | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 23°C | 16°C | 2 | 19°C | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 21°C | 12°C | 4 | 17°C | 10.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 19°C | 9°C | 6 | 16°C | 10 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Grey whale migration season (usually mid-December to April) |
| February | Lunar New Year celebrations in the Convoy District and downtown (late January or February) |
| March | Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloom season (usually March to early May); St Patrick's Day parade in Balboa Park (March) |
| April | Easter school holidays (March or April) |
| May | Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Old Town (around 5 May) |
| June | San Diego County Fair at Del Mar (usually June to early July) |
| July | San Diego Comic-Con (usually July); Big Bay Boom fireworks on the bay (4 July); San Diego Pride (usually mid-July); Del Mar racing season opens (usually July) |
| August | Del Mar thoroughbred racing (usually through early September) |
| October | Fleet Week events (usually autumn) |
| December | December Nights in Balboa Park (usually early December); San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (usually December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February and November, and the sights are quietest in January–February and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit San Diego?
San Diego works all year, but September and October are the sweet spot: the sea is still warm, the coast is often at its sunniest, and summer crowds and prices have dropped. April and May are mild and comfortable, though mornings are often grey, while July and August bring the warmest weather together with the highest prices.
+When are hotel prices lowest in San Diego?
Usually in January–February and November. Mild, sunny days with some winter rain; good for whale-watching as grey whales migrate south past Point Loma.
+What is the rainiest month in San Diego?
January, with about 7 days of rain on average.
+How hot does San Diego get?
The warmest month, August, averages highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 20°C (68°F).