Best months
April, May, and June
Warmest month
September, 26°C
Wettest month
December, 50 mm
San Diego weather by month
Average daily high and low, total rainfall and days with at least 2.5 mm of rain.
| Month | High / low | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C / 10°C | 41 mm · 3 days | Good |
| February | 19°C / 10°C | 38 mm · 3 days | Good |
| March | 19°C / 12°C | 33 mm · 3 days | Good |
| April | 20°C / 14°C | 13 mm · 1 day | Great |
| May | 21°C / 16°C | 9 mm · 1 day | Great |
| June | 22°C / 17°C | 0 mm · 0 days | Great |
| July | 24°C / 19°C | 2 mm · 0 days | Great |
| August | 25°C / 20°C | 3 mm · 0 days | Great |
| September | 26°C / 19°C | 5 mm · 0 days | Great |
| October | 24°C / 16°C | 10 mm · 1 day | Great |
| November | 22°C / 13°C | 26 mm · 2 days | Great |
| December | 19°C / 10°C | 50 mm · 4 days | Good |
San Diego by season
Spring
Spring (March-May) is arguably the best time to visit. Wildflowers bloom inland, temperatures are ideal in the low 20s°C, and the infamous 'May Gray' cloud cover usually holds off until late in the season.
- + Perfect hiking and beach weather
- + Fewer crowds than summer
- + Whale watching season (gray whales) is still active
- − Can be surprisingly busy during Spring Break (March)
- − Ocean water is still quite cool for swimming
Summer
Summer (June-August) brings warm, sunny days with consistent temperatures around 24°C, but also the persistent coastal marine layer known as 'June Gloom' that can linger into July.
- + Warmest ocean temperatures for swimming and surfing
- + Long days with extended evening sunlight
- + Vibrant calendar of outdoor festivals and events
- − Peak tourist crowds and higher prices
- − Morning and evening cloud cover/fog near the coast
Autumn
Autumn (September-November) is a local secret. The marine layer dissipates, yielding clear, sunny skies and warm water (often the year's warmest), with temperatures very similar to spring.
- + 'Indian Summer' with minimal fog
- + Ocean is at its warmest
- + Summer crowds have dissipated, better deals available
- − Can be very hot and dry inland, increasing fire risk
- − Busy with conventions in downtown San Diego
Winter
Winter (December-February) is mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures around 16-18°C. It's the rainy season, but showers are typically brief, and snow is unheard of at sea level.
- + Lowest hotel rates and fewest crowds
- + Excellent whale watching (gray whale migration)
- + Perfect weather for hiking and exploring without overheating
- − Days are shorter
- − Ocean is too cold for most swimmers without a wetsuit
San Diego month by month
San Diego in January
GoodIn January, San Diego averages highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C, with about 3 rainy days and 41 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.
San Diego in February
GoodIn February, San Diego averages highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C, with about 3 rainy days and 38 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.
San Diego in March
GoodIn March, San Diego averages highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C, with about 3 rainy days and 33 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.
San Diego in April
GreatIn April, San Diego averages highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C, with about 1 rainy day and 13 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in May
GreatIn May, San Diego averages highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C, with about 1 rainy day and 9 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in June
GreatIn June, San Diego averages highs of 22°C and lows of 17°C, with about 0 rainy days and 0 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in July
GreatIn July, San Diego averages highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C, with about 0 rainy days and 2 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in August
GreatIn August, San Diego averages highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C, with about 0 rainy days and 3 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in September
GreatIn September, San Diego averages highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C, with about 0 rainy days and 5 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in October
GreatIn October, San Diego averages highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C, with about 1 rainy day and 10 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in November
GreatIn November, San Diego averages highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C, with about 2 rainy days and 26 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.
San Diego in December
GoodIn December, San Diego averages highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C, with about 4 rainy days and 50 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.
Top tours and experiences in San Diego
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
All things to do in San Diego →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your San Diego trip
Best time to visit San Diego: FAQ
What is the best month to visit San Diego?+
April is the most comfortable month on average, with highs of 20°C. May and June are close behind.
What is the rainiest month in San Diego?+
December is the wettest month, with about 50 mm of rain.
How hot does San Diego get?+
September is the warmest month, with average highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 10°C.
Averages for 2006–2025 from the SAN DIEGO INTL AP weather station (3 km from the centre), NOAA Global Historical Climatology Network. Verdicts rate sightseeing comfort from daytime highs and rainy days.