Month guide · San Diego · United States
San Diego in December
What December is really like in San Diego: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Armandoartist, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Mild winter with some rain; Balboa Park and the harbour hold holiday events, and grey whales begin passing the coast.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in San Diego: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with November (21°C (70°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:44
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:44
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Winter (December–February). Mild, sometimes rainy, with cool evenings, whale-watching and the lowest hotel rates outside the holidays.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- December Nights in Balboa Park (usually early December)
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (usually December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Viewpoint · Point Loma
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Eroded sandstone cliffs, arches and sea caves line about 2 km of Point Loma's ocean side, south of Ocean Beach.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Aquarium · La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Pair it with a calm-water swim or tide-pooling at La Jolla Shores just below.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Views
Waterfront · Mission Beach
Mission Bay and Belmont Park
Mission Bay is a large man-made aquatic park with calm water, grassy shores and paths for cycling and paddleboarding.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Museum · Embarcadero
USS Midway Museum
Go up to the flight deck first while it is cool, then work through the lower decks; the self-guided audio tour is included.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 9°C and 6 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit San Diego?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events 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 December a good time to visit San Diego?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Mild winter with some rain; Balboa Park and the harbour hold holiday events, and grey whales begin passing the coast.
+How warm is San Diego in December?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Diego in December?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.