Season guide · San Diego · United States
San Diego in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:Nauticashades ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Mild days, spring break crowds in March, the Carlsbad flower fields and desert blooms after wet winters; morning marine layer grows by May. Expect highs up to 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 13 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 12°C (54°F) to 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 13
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 19°C (66°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 7 | 11.9 h | 3/5 |
| April | 21°C (70°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 4 | 12.9 h | 3/5 |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 2 | 13.8 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 20°C (68°F) against a yearly 22°C (72°F), and 13 of the year's roughly 41 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch bloom season (usually March to early May)
- March: 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)
Good choices for spring
Museum · Embarcadero
USS Midway Museum
The aircraft carrier USS Midway served from 1945 to 1992 and is now moored on the downtown waterfront.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
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
Aquarium · La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Run by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the aquarium has a three-storey kelp forest tank, seahorses, a shark reef and exhibits on ocean science.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Views
Day trips in spring
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park (About 45 minutes by car) — The zoo's sister park in the San Pasqual Valley lets giraffes, rhinos and antelope roam large open enclosures, viewed from the Africa Tram, walking trails and optional caravan safaris.
- Carlsbad and LEGOLAND California (About 45 minutes by car or 1 hour by Coaster) — Carlsbad combines LEGOLAND California, aimed at children aged about 2 to 12, with the Flower Fields' spring ranunculus blooms and a walkable seaside village with a long beach promenade.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit San Diego?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Mild days, spring break crowds in March, the Carlsbad flower fields and desert blooms after wet winters; morning marine layer grows by May.
+What is the weather like in San Diego in spring?
Highs of up to 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 13 rainy days over the season.