Best time to visit San Diego
The best time to visit San Diego is April–October, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
San Diego, California, United States
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17 °C / 63 °F | 11.2 °C / 52 °F | 41 mm / 1.6 in | good month |
| February | 16.8 °C / 62 °F | 11.3 °C / 52 °F | 46 mm / 1.8 in | good month |
| March | 17.1 °C / 63 °F | 12.2 °C / 54 °F | 37 mm / 1.5 in | good month |
| April | 18.1 °C / 65 °F | 13.4 °C / 56 °F | 14 mm / 0.6 in | best month |
| May | 18.7 °C / 66 °F | 14.8 °C / 59 °F | 8 mm / 0.3 in | best month |
| June | 20.3 °C / 69 °F | 16.2 °C / 61 °F | 1 mm / 0 in | best month |
| July | 22.6 °C / 73 °F | 18.3 °C / 65 °F | 1 mm / 0.1 in | best month |
| August | 23.5 °C / 74 °F | 19.1 °C / 66 °F | 3 mm / 0.1 in | best month |
| September | 23.6 °C / 74 °F | 18.9 °C / 66 °F | 4 mm / 0.2 in | best month |
| October | 22.1 °C / 72 °F | 16.9 °C / 62 °F | 9 mm / 0.4 in | best month |
| November | 19.8 °C / 68 °F | 14.1 °C / 57 °F | 27 mm / 1 in | good month |
| December | 17.1 °C / 63 °F | 11.7 °C / 53 °F | 46 mm / 1.8 in | good month |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: good
- FFebruary: good
- MMarch: good
- AApril: best
- MMay: best
- JJune: best
- JJuly: best
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: best
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: good
- Best
- April–October
- Good
- November–March
San Diego is excellent for exploring outdoors April through October: mild, dry and sunny with only light coastal humidity. Winter months (Nov-Mar) stay mild too but bring more frequent rain and shorter days, keeping them good rather than best.
Why these months
January · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 15.2 °C / 59 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 89%, average daily high 17 °C / 63 °F, average daily low 11.2 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 72%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.6 days, precipitation 41 mm / 1.6 in, wet days 4.9 days.
Also on: Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines), Gray whale migration.
Watch out for: Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures, New Year's Day closures.
February · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 15.2 °C / 59 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 88%, average daily high 16.8 °C / 62 °F, average daily low 11.3 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 73%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, wet days 5.5 days.
Also on: Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines), Gray whale migration, San Diego Museum Month.
Watch out for: Presidents' Day closures, Valentine's Day.
March · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 16.3 °C / 61 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, average daily high 17.1 °C / 63 °F, average daily low 12.2 °C / 54 °F, relative humidity 75%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 37 mm / 1.5 in, wet days 5.6 days.
Also on: Gray whale migration, Spring break, St Patrick's Day festival and parade, Wildflower viewing.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
April · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 17.7 °C / 64 °F, average daily high 18.1 °C / 65 °F, precipitation 14 mm / 0.6 in, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, average daily low 13.4 °C / 56 °F, relative humidity 74%.
Against: wet days 2.7 days.
Also on: Beach and Bay Half Marathon, Concours d'Elegance (La Jolla), Spring break.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
May · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 18.9 °C / 66 °F, average daily high 18.7 °C / 66 °F, precipitation 8 mm / 0.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, wet days 1.7 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 14.8 °C / 59 °F.
Against: relative humidity 76%.
Also on: Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Rock'n'Roll Running Series, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival.
Watch out for: Memorial Day weekend crowds.
June · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 21.6 °C / 71 °F, average daily high 20.3 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 1 mm / 0 in, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, wet days 0.2 days, days with heavy rain 0 days, average daily low 16.2 °C / 61 °F.
Against: relative humidity 79%.
Also on: San Diego County Fair.
Watch out for: Juneteenth closures.
July · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 24.6 °C / 76 °F, average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 1 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 97%, wet days 0.3 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 18.3 °C / 65 °F.
Against: relative humidity 80%.
Also on: Comic-Con, Fourth of July parties, Pride celebrations.
Watch out for: Comic-Con crowds and lodging, Independence Day closures.
August · best
In its favour: average daily high 23.5 °C / 74 °F, precipitation 3 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, wet days 0.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 19.1 °C / 66 °F.
Against: relative humidity 80%, feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F.
Also on: La Jolla Music Society SummerFest.
September · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F, precipitation 4 mm / 0.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 0.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F.
Against: relative humidity 78%, average daily high 23.6 °C / 74 °F.
Also on: Miramar Air Show, San Diego Restaurant Week.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures, Labor Day weekend crowds.
October · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 22.4 °C / 72 °F, average daily high 22.1 °C / 72 °F, precipitation 9 mm / 0.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 1.6 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, average daily low 16.9 °C / 62 °F, relative humidity 74%.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween closures.
November · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 18.6 °C / 65 °F, average daily high 19.8 °C / 68 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, days with heavy rain 0.8 days, average daily low 14.1 °C / 57 °F, relative humidity 72%.
Against: precipitation 27 mm / 1 in, wet days 3.5 days.
Also on: Día de los Muertos celebrations, San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival.
Watch out for: End-of-year holiday travel rush, Thanksgiving crowds, Thanksgiving travel and closures, Veterans Day closures.
December · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 15.3 °C / 60 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 86%, average daily high 17.1 °C / 63 °F, average daily low 11.7 °C / 53 °F, relative humidity 73%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, wet days 5.3 days, sunshine per day 8.6 h.
Also on: Gray whale migration, Holiday Bowl, Palm-tree holiday light displays.
Watch out for: Christmas and New Year's Eve travel crowds, Christmas closures, End-of-year holiday travel rush.
Beach and swimming
Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: neither
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: good
- AAugust: good
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: neither
- Good
- July–September
San Diego's beaches are pleasant but rarely warm: air stays mild year-round and the sea is cool even at its peak. July-September, when air and sea both reach their annual highs, are good for swimming; the rest of the year the sea is too cold and the air too mild for a proper beach day.
Why these months
July · good
In its favour: precipitation 1 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 97%, wet days 0.3 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, feels like (high) 24.6 °C / 76 °F, average daily low 18.3 °C / 65 °F, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: sea temperature 20.9 °C / 70 °F, average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F.
Also on: Comic-Con, Fourth of July parties, Pride celebrations.
Watch out for: Comic-Con crowds and lodging, Independence Day closures.
August · good
In its favour: precipitation 3 mm / 0.1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, wet days 0.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F, average daily high 23.5 °C / 74 °F, average daily low 19.1 °C / 66 °F, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: sea temperature 21.5 °C / 71 °F.
Also on: La Jolla Music Society SummerFest.
September · good
In its favour: precipitation 4 mm / 0.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 0.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, average daily high 23.6 °C / 74 °F, feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F, average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: sea temperature 20.9 °C / 70 °F.
Also on: Miramar Air Show, San Diego Restaurant Week.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures, Labor Day weekend crowds.
Hiking and trekking
Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.
- JJanuary: good
- FFebruary: good
- MMarch: good
- AApril: best
- MMay: best
- JJune: best
- JJuly: best
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: best
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: good
- Best
- April–October
- Good
- November–March
April through October are excellent for hiking, with dry trails, comfortable temperatures and long days. November through March remain good - mild and hikeable, just wetter and with shorter daylight.
Why these months
January · good
In its favour: average daily high 17 °C / 63 °F, feels like (high) 15.2 °C / 59 °F, average daily low 11.2 °C / 52 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 89%, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph, daylight per day 10.3 h.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.6 days, precipitation 41 mm / 1.6 in, wet days 4.9 days, sunshine per day 9.2 h.
Also on: Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines), Gray whale migration.
Watch out for: Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures, New Year's Day closures.
February · good
In its favour: average daily high 16.8 °C / 62 °F, feels like (high) 15.2 °C / 59 °F, average daily low 11.3 °C / 52 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 88%, daylight per day 11 h, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, wet days 5.5 days, sunshine per day 9.7 h.
Also on: Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines), Gray whale migration, San Diego Museum Month.
Watch out for: Presidents' Day closures, Valentine's Day.
March · good
In its favour: average daily high 17.1 °C / 63 °F, feels like (high) 16.3 °C / 61 °F, average daily low 12.2 °C / 54 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 12 h, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 37 mm / 1.5 in, wet days 5.6 days.
Also on: Gray whale migration, Spring break, St Patrick's Day festival and parade, Wildflower viewing.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
April · best
In its favour: average daily high 18.1 °C / 65 °F, precipitation 14 mm / 0.6 in, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, feels like (high) 17.7 °C / 64 °F, average daily low 13.4 °C / 56 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 13 h, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.
Against: wet days 2.7 days.
Also on: Beach and Bay Half Marathon, Concours d'Elegance (La Jolla), Spring break.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
May · best
In its favour: average daily high 18.7 °C / 66 °F, precipitation 8 mm / 0.3 in, wet days 1.7 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, feels like (high) 18.9 °C / 66 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 13.9 h, average daily low 14.8 °C / 59 °F, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: relative humidity 76%.
Also on: Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Rock'n'Roll Running Series, Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival.
Watch out for: Memorial Day weekend crowds.
June · best
In its favour: average daily high 20.3 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 1 mm / 0 in, wet days 0.2 days, days with heavy rain 0 days, feels like (high) 21.6 °C / 71 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, daylight per day 14.3 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 11 mph, average daily low 16.2 °C / 61 °F.
Against: relative humidity 79%.
Also on: San Diego County Fair.
Watch out for: Juneteenth closures.
July · best
In its favour: average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 1 mm / 0.1 in, wet days 0.3 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, share of daylight that is sunny 97%, daylight per day 14.1 h, feels like (high) 24.6 °C / 76 °F, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 11 mph.
Against: relative humidity 80%, average daily low 18.3 °C / 65 °F.
Also on: Comic-Con, Fourth of July parties, Pride celebrations.
Watch out for: Comic-Con crowds and lodging, Independence Day closures.
August · best
In its favour: precipitation 3 mm / 0.1 in, wet days 0.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, daylight per day 13.3 h, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph, feels like (high) 25.7 °C / 78 °F.
Against: average daily high 23.5 °C / 74 °F, relative humidity 80%, average daily low 19.1 °C / 66 °F.
Also on: La Jolla Music Society SummerFest.
September · best
In its favour: precipitation 4 mm / 0.2 in, wet days 0.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 12.4 h, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph, feels like (high) 25.2 °C / 77 °F.
Against: average daily high 23.6 °C / 74 °F, relative humidity 78%, average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F.
Also on: Miramar Air Show, San Diego Restaurant Week.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures, Labor Day weekend crowds.
October · best
In its favour: average daily high 22.1 °C / 72 °F, precipitation 9 mm / 0.4 in, wet days 1.6 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, feels like (high) 22.4 °C / 72 °F, daylight per day 11.3 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 11 mph, average daily low 16.9 °C / 62 °F.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween closures.
November · good
In its favour: average daily high 19.8 °C / 68 °F, days with heavy rain 0.8 days, feels like (high) 18.6 °C / 65 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, average daily low 14.1 °C / 57 °F, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph, daylight per day 10.5 h.
Against: precipitation 27 mm / 1 in, wet days 3.5 days, sunshine per day 9.7 h.
Also on: Día de los Muertos celebrations, San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival.
Watch out for: End-of-year holiday travel rush, Thanksgiving crowds, Thanksgiving travel and closures, Veterans Day closures.
December · good
In its favour: average daily high 17.1 °C / 63 °F, feels like (high) 15.3 °C / 60 °F, average daily low 11.7 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 86%, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph, daylight per day 10 h.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, wet days 5.3 days, sunshine per day 8.6 h.
Also on: Gray whale migration, Holiday Bowl, Palm-tree holiday light displays.
Watch out for: Christmas and New Year's Eve travel crowds, Christmas closures, End-of-year holiday travel rush.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Snow Valley Mountain Resort, 167 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | 15.2 °C | 15.2 °C | 16.3 °C | 17.7 °C | 18.9 °C | 21.6 °C | 24.6 °C | 25.7 °C | 25.2 °C | 22.4 °C | 18.6 °C | 15.3 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 1.6 days | 1.2 days | 1.2 days | 0.5 days | 0.1 days | 0 days | 0.1 days | 0.1 days | 0.1 days | 0.2 days | 0.8 days | 1.2 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 3 pm | 6 pm | 12 pm | 2 am | 5 am | 4 am | 1 pm | 12 pm | 1 pm | 9 am | 1 pm | 12 pm |
| Sunshine per day | 9.2 h | 9.7 h | 11 h | 11.9 h | 12.7 h | 13.6 h | 13.6 h | 12.7 h | 11.6 h | 10.7 h | 9.7 h | 8.6 h |
| Relative humidity | 72% | 73% | 75% | 74% | 76% | 79% | 80% | 80% | 78% | 74% | 72% | 73% |
Sea temperature
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature 2022–2025 | 14.6 °C | 14.7 °C | 15.5 °C | 16.3 °C | 17.9 °C | 19.2 °C | 20.9 °C | 21.5 °C | 20.9 °C | 18.7 °C | 17 °C | 15.8 °C |
| Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–2025 | 14.8 °C | 14.9 °C | 15.7 °C | 16.6 °C | 18.2 °C | 19.5 °C | 21.2 °C | 21.8 °C | 21.2 °C | 19 °C | 17.2 °C | 15.9 °C |
- Very cold 10 °C or less
- Cold 10 to 15 °C
- Cool 15 to 20 °C
- Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
- Warm 25 to 28 °C
- Very warm over 28 °C
The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 16.8 µg/m³ | 18.6 µg/m³ | 15.8 µg/m³ | 17 µg/m³ | 12.9 µg/m³ | 12.2 µg/m³ | 13.6 µg/m³ | 15.2 µg/m³ | 14.9 µg/m³ | 18.2 µg/m³ | 17.7 µg/m³ | 21.2 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 29.3 µg/m³ | 29.5 µg/m³ | 24.9 µg/m³ | 25.5 µg/m³ | 17.5 µg/m³ | 16.5 µg/m³ | 17.9 µg/m³ | 20.4 µg/m³ | 21.7 µg/m³ | 27.4 µg/m³ | 28.6 µg/m³ | 34.4 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- Gray whale migration
January, February, March and December
- Farmers Insurance Open (Torrey Pines)
January and February, dates vary from year to year
- San Diego Museum Month
February
- St Patrick's Day festival and parade
March
- Wildflower viewing
March
- Spring break
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Beach and Bay Half Marathon
April
- Concours d'Elegance (La Jolla)
24–30 April
- Cinco de Mayo celebrations
May
- Rock'n'Roll Running Series
May
- Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival
May
- San Diego County Fair
15–30 June
- Pride celebrations
July
- Fourth of July parties
4 July
- Comic-Con
24–31 July
- La Jolla Music Society SummerFest
August
- San Diego Restaurant Week
September
- Miramar Air Show
September
- San Diego Bay Food and Wine Festival
1–7 November
- Día de los Muertos celebrations
November
- Palm-tree holiday light displays
December
- Holiday Bowl
December
Worth knowing before you go
- New Year's Day closures
1 January
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures
January, dates vary from year to year
- Valentine's Day
14 February
- Presidents' Day closures
February, dates vary from year to year
- Good Friday closures
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Easter closures
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Memorial Day weekend crowds
May
- Juneteenth closures
19 June
- Comic-Con crowds and lodging
24–31 July
- Independence Day closures
4 July
- Labor Day weekend crowds
September, dates vary from year to year
- Labor Day closures
September, dates vary from year to year
- Columbus Day closures
October, dates vary from year to year
- Halloween closures
31 October
- Thanksgiving crowds
November, dates vary from year to year
- Veterans Day closures
11 November
- Thanksgiving travel and closures
November, dates vary from year to year
- End-of-year holiday travel rush
November and December
- Christmas and New Year's Eve travel crowds
December
- Christmas closures
25 December