Month guide · San Diego · United States
San Diego in May
What May is really like in San Diego: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit San Diego. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 13.8 hours of daylight. Morning cloud from the marine layer ('May Gray') often burns off by early afternoon; the ocean is still cool.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 7th-warmest month in San Diego: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 22°C (72°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with April (21°C (70°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:50
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:40
- Daylight
- About 13.8 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°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, May 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 May
- Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Old Town (around 5 May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Historic site · Point Loma
Cabrillo National Monument
Check the tide tables and visit the tide pools at low tide, usually best in winter afternoons.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Nature
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
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 16°C and 2 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit San Diego?
One of the best months to visit San Diego, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April and September–October. Compare every month.
San Diego in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit San Diego?
It is one of the best months to visit San Diego. Morning cloud from the marine layer ('May Gray') often burns off by early afternoon; the ocean is still cool.
+How warm is San Diego in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Diego in May?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.