Best time to visit San Diego

January is the second coldest and rainiest month in San Diego. However, it’s neither cold nor rainy. The weather is actually quite mild, dry and sunny. Temperatures drop to about 10°C (50°F) at worst, which means that you can still feel comfortable during long walks. Humidity is the lowest at this time. With over seven hours of daily sunshine, January is a good time for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor sports. Water temperature is about 14°C (57°F), too cold to swim, but you can still try surfing in a wetsuit. There will be about six-seven rainy days in San Diego in January, which means that rain is not a big problem for your plans. However, packing a waterproof jacket is a good idea.

Winter is on the calendar, but it already feels like spring in San Diego! Temperatures are rising and it’s possible to sit in an outdoor cafe enjoying eight hours of daily sun. Wildflowers start to bloom here and there. Even the nights are quite pleasant and warm. There can still be one or two cold waves, but generally, the weather is very moderate. Thanks to sunny days, moderate temperatures and low humidity, the weather is suitable for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling. February is one of the wettest months in San Diego, however, it rarely rains for more than seven days per month. Still, pack an umbrella, just in case.

Moderate and sunny spring weather dominates in March. Temperatures are getting warmer and stay within a comfortable range. With over eight hours of daily sunshine, it’s perfect weather to go hiking or cycling, look for wildflowers and enjoy the sight of awakening nature in the deserts. It’s still too early for swimming and sunbathing as the water stays cool at about 14°C (57°F), however, surfing in a wetsuit is possible. March is considered to be a wet month in San Diego with about seven rainy days on average. However, rains are usually short and not too heavy.

April is another month of moderate spring weather in San Diego. There are many sunny days, and temperatures often reach mellow 20°C (68°F). There are about eight hours of daily sunshine, which is perfect for outdoor activities like cycling, hiking or running. The nights are also warm so it’s nice to sit in an outdoor restaurant patio enjoying your meal. It’s still too cold for a dip into the ocean as the water temperature is just 16°C (65°F). The rainy season is almost over by April. There are just four wet days this month, which means that your chances to get wet are rather low.

May brings cloudy and dryer weather to San Diego. The temperature remains in the moderate and comfortable range close to the 20s°C (70s°F), but it’s not too hot. The days are long so you can plan plenty of outdoor sports activities. However, the skies are often cloudy in May. to 69°F (20.6°C) range. Fog is typical for mornings so it’s not a good time to enjoy the views. The water in the ocean is still too cold for comfortable swimming. May is also the windiest month in San Diego, which provides an opportunity for windsurfers and kitesurfers. May is a quite dry month with about three rainy days, which means that you have little chance to get wet.

Temperatures rise in June, and you can experience some hot weather in San Diego. The sky, however, is quite cloudy, and morning fogs continue to happen. The locals call it June Gloom. Despite that, the weather is quite pleasant with plenty of daylight hours for outdoor activities. The rain can only happen during a couple of days this month. Nights are pleasant and warm for going out. The ocean breeze is blowing in the coastal areas. However, the water in the ocean is still under 20s°C (70s°F), so you might need a wetsuit if you decide to go surfing.

July brings summer-like weather to San Diego. Days get hotter and humidity is the highest throughout the year. At midday, temperatures are soaring, reaching high 20s°C (or 80s °F). It’s a great time to go to the beach even though ocean water is still a bit chilly, under 20°C (68°F). Still, July weather is suitable for hiking in the mountains, swimming, and fishing. There is just one rainy day this month, the weather stays dry. Skiers are clouded more often than sunny. Overall, July is a great month to explore San Diego and vicinity.

August is usually the hottest month in San Diego. It also has high humidity and around 10 hours of sunshine. The seawater near the San Diego coast finally warms up to 20°C (68°F), which might seem not that much, but it’s the best you can get! Mornings are usually cloudy, and there can also be more clouds during the day. However, it’s not that bad if you plan to go hiking or cycling. Nights are also pleasantly warm at this time, so you can stay out late enjoying the dinner at a patio. No wonder August is such a popular time to visit San Diego!

September is a warm, sunny and dry month in San Diego. At midday, you can still experience temperatures above 27°C (80°F). It’s a good time to go to the beach and enjoy over eight hours of daily sunshine. The days are usually warm enough for shorts and t-shirts. In the evening, an ocean breeze might make you put on a sweater. There are about two wet days this month. Dry and sunny weather is perfect for exploring canyons, cycling, sightseeing, and water sports. September overall is a great time to spend in Southern California.

October is still a wonderful warm month in San Diego. Even though temperatures drop, it’s very sunny and dry. Most days have up to eight hours of sunshine. The sky may be clouded in the morning, but clouds clear out by midday. You can visit the beach since some days may be warm enough for sunbathing. Water might be chilly, around 18°C (67°F), however, it’s never really warm in Southern California. The end of the summer brings great weather for hiking, sightseeing, cycling, and other outdoor activities. There are just three rainy days in October. However, there is a chance that you will witness a thunderstorm.

The fall season brings warm and mild weather in San Diego. Even though it might be too cold for sunbathing and swimming, there are still plenty of things that you can do with eight hours of sun and moderate temperatures reaching 20s°C (high 60s°F). You can go hiking or cycling in the mountains, explore canyons, walk by the ocean and even try watersports in a wetsuit. Chilly waters have a temperature of about 16°C (65°F). November brings the rains back to San Diego. However, there are just about five rainy days, so there are not many chances to get wet. November is very sunny and crisp with beautiful foliage colors all around San Diego. It’s a very pleasant time to visit the city and enjoy wonderful nature all around it.

Even though December is the coldest month of the year, it doesn’t feel like winter in San Diego. The temperatures drop but stay rather moderate. Due to warm ocean currents and low elevation it never gets colder than 9°C (48°F). On good days you can get sit in an outdoor cafe enjoying about seven hours of sunshine and mild 18°C (65°F). It won’t snow, but you can count on some rainfall. As December is one of the wetter months, there are about six rainy days. It is a good time for hiking and sightseeing. December is too cold for the beach. The water temperature is just about 14°C (63°F).