The Best Time to Visit San Diego: A Season-by-Season Breakdown

The Best Time to Visit San Diego

Let’s dive into my breakdown of what you can expect when visiting San Diego during each season. 

Visiting in the Summer

Especially great for travelers looking to maximize their time in the sun (and those that are okay paying peak-season prices!). 

It may come as no surprise that San Diego summers are busy. Of course, there’s a good reason: the amazing weather. On average, daytime temperatures typically hit the mid to high 70s near the coast, with August being one of the hottest months in San Diego.

This means travelers flock to the best beach towns in San Diego to spend time by the water and soak up the sun. Consider taking a surf lesson, going snorkeling, or otherwise spending a chill day at the beach!

Naturally, this influx in visitors means more crowds and higher prices for accommodations, particularly around downtown and near popular beach towns like Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, and La Jolla. 

If you’re thinking of visiting in the early summer, keep in mind that you’ll likely run into what’s referred to as June Gloom (and May Gray before it in the spring). This common California weather pattern is characterized by more frequent overcast skies. This usually clears by early July. 

Besides the (mostly) sunny, warm weather, this is also a great time to visit if you’re interested in doing a whale watching cruise. Blue whales can be found off the coast throughout the entire summer. 

A fun event you may want to attend is the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, which runs from early June to early July. You’ll find concerts, carnival rides, petting zoos, and more. I grew up going to the fair every summer – it’s a fun time for kids and adults alike!

One other major summer event to keep in mind is Comic-Con – typically held over four days in late July. This event is hosted in Downtown San Diego at the convention center, and certain streets nearby are shut down for related events. 

As a result, downtown (and the surrounding area) gets incredibly busy around this time, and hotel prices skyrocket. This can affect nearby popular tourist destinations (like La Jolla and Coronado Island) as well. 

If you’re planning a San Diego summer vacation, you’ll want to avoid these areas during this time. That said, this won’t have a major impact on those spending time in North County San Diego (although it will affect flight prices!). 

The Meditation Gardens in Encinitas | Sunset at La Jolla Shores Beach | The Carlsbad Sign

Visiting in the Fall

Especially great for travelers looking to enjoy amazing weather while avoiding the summer crowds. September in particular is the best month to visit San Diego (with October being a close second!).

As mentioned, the best time of year to visit San Diego is the early fall. The weather remains pleasantly sunny and warm, with daytime temperatures hitting the mid to high 70s by the coast. Generally speaking, accommodations are also a touch cheaper during this time compared to the summer.

Despite summer-like weather, with school back in session, crowds start to calm down during this time – particularly after Labor Day. 

This makes it the perfect time to hit up some of San Diego’s best beaches without having to deal with the crowds you see in the summer. It’s also an amazing time to enjoy some of the many outdoor activities in San Diego. Go kayaking through the sea caves in La Jolla, enjoy a local hike (Torrey Pines Reserve is a personal favorite hiking spot), bike around Coronado Island, or even go on an intimate sunset cruise!

The later fall is still an excellent time to visit. While it cools down a bit, daytime temperatures still typically hit the high 60s to low 70s – still great weather for spending time outdoors! You’ll also see better hotel and vacation rental prices. Just keep in mind that it gets busy again during Thanksgiving week. 

For families visiting San Diego in October, one cool promotion to highlight is Kids Free San Diego. During the entire month, numerous attractions, restaurants, and hotels have promotional deals for kids. This includes the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, the Birch Aquarium, and the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, to name a few. The age range varies from business-to-business, but typically applies to kids under 12. 

Kayakers in La Jolla | A Bike Path on Coronado Island | A Boat in the San Diego Harbor

Visiting in the Winter

Especially great for budget-conscious travelers (although there are some exceptions!) and those looking for some respite from their colder weather homes. 

The weather starts to cool down in the winter – but San Diego winters are definitely mild! Daytime temperatures typically sit around the low to mid 60s, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the high 40s to mid 50s. 

Winter is also the rainy season, so you may run into some wetter weather. With all of this in mind, don’t expect to be jumping in the ocean (unless you’re packing a wetsuit!). 

Even with the relatively cooler weather, there are some major perks to planning a San Diego winter trip. 

First and foremost, it’s going to be far less crowded compared to other seasons. You are also generally going to see more budget-friendly rates for hotels and accommodations – the winter is the cheapest time to visit San Diego! Of course, the exception will be around the holidays and during Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents’ Day weekends. 

The winter is also an especially perfect time to visit if you want to get up close to marine life. Whale watching is a year-round activity in the area, but you have a particularly great chance of spotting gray whales in the winter. With that in mind, consider booking a whale watching cruise! 

In addition to whale watching, the winter is the ideal time to go tide pooling, as there are more daytime low tides. Check the tide charts to plan a fun tide pool excursion!

If you’re planning a holiday visit, there are some fun and festive ways to celebrate the season. Go ice skating by the sea at the famous Hotel del Coronado (which also has great Christmas decorations!), see a performance of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe in Balboa Park, or visit the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas to experience Lightscape, an immersive light and art experience.

Those visiting San Diego in February can take advantage of San Diego Museum Month. You can get reduced admission to more than 70 participating museums, gardens, aquariums, and more. 

Visiting in the Spring

Especially great for anyone wanting to spend time outdoors and visit the area before the summer crowds start!

Spring is another amazing time to visit San Diego. The rain calms down and the weather starts to warm up, with average daytime temperatures typically hitting the high 60s and low 70s. The days also start to get longer and the sun sets later – which means more time in the sun!

While it’s generally sunny in the spring, May Gray (the same thing as June Gloom!) can lead to gloomier days. That said, the temperatures will generally be warm during this time, so you can still spend time at the beach (although it’s typically a bit too cool to jump in the water), out on a hike, or otherwise enjoying the pleasant temperatures.