Destination
When should you visit San Diego?
San Diego is mild all year, which makes it easy to visit any month. The catch is the coastal cloud: May and June often start gray (locals call it May Gray and June Gloom). The sunniest, warmest beach weather is August to October, and after Labor Day the crowds drop. Here is how all twelve months compare for weather, crowds, prices and events.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September–October
September and October are warm and sunny, with the warmest sea of the year and fewer people once summer holidays end. Hotel rates are also lower than in July and August.
Best beach weather
August–September
Warm, sunny and the warmest water.
Best for whale watching
December–April
Gray whales migrate along the coast.
Best value
November–February
Lower rates outside the holidays.
Least crowded
October–November
Quiet beaches with mild weather.
September scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- May Gray and June Gloom
- Low cloud often covers the coast in the morning. Plan inland sights first.
- Comic-Con
- Downtown hotels sell out and prices jump around Comic-Con weekend.
- Summer peak
- Beaches, the zoo and La Jolla Cove are at their busiest.
May–June
July
July–August
San Diego travel tip
Do not judge a San Diego day by the morning sky. In late spring the coast is often gray until early afternoon, so start inland at Balboa Park and head to La Jolla or the beaches later, when the sun usually breaks through.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 10–19°C
- Mild days and cool nights, with occasional rain.
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Quiet after the holidays.
- Prices
- $$
- Good value.
Book a whale-watching trip from the harbor.
- Whale watching
- City break
- Temperature
- 11–19°C
- Mild, with the most rain of the year.
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Quiet.
- Prices
- $$
- Good value.
Hike Torrey Pines on a clear morning.
- Hiking
- Whale watching
- Temperature
- 13–19°C
- Mild and mostly dry.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busier with spring break.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise for spring break.
Look up Anza-Borrego wildflower reports for a day trip.
- Day trips
- Hiking
- Temperature
- 14–20°C
- Mild and mostly sunny.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$
- Fair rates.
Visit the zoo on a weekday.
- Zoo
- Parks
- Temperature
- 16–21°C
- Mild, often cloudy in the morning.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Mid-range rates.
Start inland and head to the beach after lunch.
- Parks
- Food
- Temperature
- 17–22°C
- Mild, with low cloud most mornings.
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Busier as summer starts.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise for summer.
Pack a light jacket for gray beach mornings.
- Families
- Zoo
- Temperature
- 19–24°C
- Warm and sunny.
- Crowds
- High
- High season.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Peak rates, highest around Comic-Con.
Avoid Comic-Con dates unless you are going to it.
- Beach
- Events
- Temperature
- 20–25°C
- Warm and sunny, with the warmest sea.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy with summer holidays.
- Prices
- $$$$
- Peak rates.
Get to La Jolla Cove early for parking.
- Beach
- Surfing
- Temperature
- 19–25°C
- Warm and sunny.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Calmer after Labor Day.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates ease after Labor Day.
Kayak the La Jolla sea caves on a calm morning.
- Beach
- Kayaking
- Temperature
- 16–24°C
- Warm and sunny, with occasional dry Santa Ana winds.
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Quieter.
- Prices
- $$
- Good value.
On Santa Ana days, stay near the coast where it is cooler.
- Beach
- Food
- Temperature
- 13–22°C
- Mild and mostly dry.
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Quiet before the holidays.
- Prices
- $$
- Good value.
Watch the sunset from Sunset Cliffs.
- City break
- Food
- Temperature
- 10–19°C
- Mild days and cool nights.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busier over the holidays.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise over the holidays.
Go early in the month for lower rates.
- Holidays
- Whale watching
Climate
San Diego weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 50 mm | 7 |
| February | 19°C / 66°F | 11°C / 52°F | 56 mm | 7 |
| March | 19°C / 66°F | 13°C / 55°F | 37 mm | 6 |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 14°C / 57°F | 17 mm | 4 |
| May | 21°C / 70°F | 16°C / 61°F | 7 mm | 2 |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 17°C / 63°F | 1 mm | 1 |
| July | 24°C / 75°F | 19°C / 66°F | 2 mm | 1 |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 20°C / 68°F | 0 mm | 0 |
| September | 25°C / 77°F | 19°C / 66°F | 3 mm | 1 |
| October | 24°C / 75°F | 16°C / 61°F | 13 mm | 2 |
| November | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 20 mm | 4 |
| December | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 42 mm | 6 |
Climate data: NOAA (San Diego International Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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FAQ
Planning a trip to San Diego
What is the best month to visit San Diego?
September and October have the warmest, sunniest weather and fewer crowds after summer.
What is June Gloom in San Diego?
A marine layer of low cloud that often covers the coast in May and June, usually clearing by afternoon.