San Diego in December
Holiday season
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a reasonable month in San Diego — with trade-offs.
December is mild, with holiday events and the start of gray whale season.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 10–19°C
- Mild days and cool nights.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busier over the holidays.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise over the holidays.
+Holiday lights and the first whales.
–Cooler, with some rain.
My tip for December
Go early in the month for lower rates.
- Holidays
- Whale watching
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
4th of 12 overall in San Diego, 10th for weather, 5th for space, 6th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is November.
See all twelve months for San DiegoNot set on December?
Even stronger months in San Diego
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in San Diego in December
In December San Diego averages a high of 19°C (66°F) and a low of 10°C (50°F), with about 42 mm of rain or snow over 6 wet days. The warmest month is August (around 25°C) and the coolest is January (around 19°C); the wettest month is February.
- Average high
- 19°C
- 66°F
- Average low
- 10°C
- 50°F
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Wet days
- 6
Climate data: NOAA (San Diego International Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
San Diego in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit San Diego?
- December is a reasonable month in San Diego — with trade-offs. It ranks 4 of 12 months in San Diego overall (10 for weather, 5 for space, 6 for value). The main upside: Holiday lights and the first whales. The main downside: Cooler, with some rain.
- What is the weather like in San Diego in December?
- Average highs are around 19°C and lows around 10°C. Expect about 42 mm of rain or snow over roughly 6 wet days. Mild days and cool nights. For comparison, the warmest month is August (around 25°C) and the coolest is January (around 19°C).
- Is San Diego crowded in December?
- Crowds are moderate. Busier over the holidays. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is San Diego in December?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Rates rise over the holidays. The best-value month is November.
- When is the best time to visit San Diego?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, October is the best month overall (December ranks 4 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is November.
Ready to book December in San Diego?
Holiday lights and the first whales.
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