Month guide · San Diego · United States
San Diego in March
What March is really like in San Diego: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
March is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 11.9 hours of daylight. Spring break brings crowds to the beaches; the Flower Fields in Carlsbad usually open for the season.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 11th-warmest 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 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with February (19°C (66°F)), March is about as warm; by April highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:59
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:57
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Spring (March–May). Mild days, spring break crowds in March, the Carlsbad flower fields and desert blooms after wet winters; morning marine layer grows by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March 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 March
- Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloom season (usually March to early May)
- St Patrick's Day parade in Balboa Park (March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Historic site · Old Town
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Combine it with a walk up to Presidio Park above Old Town, site of the original 1769 Spanish fort and mission.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Food
Neighbourhood · Gaslamp Quarter
Gaslamp Quarter
Downtown's historic district has around 90 Victorian and early-20th-century buildings along Fifth Avenue, many now restaurants and rooftop bars.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Museum · Embarcadero
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Ask about short bay cruises on the museum's historic boats, which leave from the same dock.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Little Italy
Little Italy
India Street and its cross streets hold delis, gelato shops and restaurant patios, and the Saturday Little Italy Mercato is one of the city's largest farmers' markets, with local produce, flowers and food stalls stretching along Date Street.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 12°C and 7 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit San Diego?
A shoulder-season month, 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 March a good time to visit San Diego?
It is a shoulder-season month. Spring break brings crowds to the beaches; the Flower Fields in Carlsbad usually open for the season.
+How warm is San Diego in March?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Diego in March?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.