The Ultimate San Diego Packing List: What to Wear & What to Bring

San Diego Weather: Things to Keep in Mind

San Diego experiences pleasant, generally mild weather, with around 260 days of sunshine every year. It’s a drier climate, so you shouldn’t expect to experience any humidity. 

Despite being known as a warmer destination, it can get chilly in the early mornings and at night all year-round. With that in mind, be sure to pack layers!

This is especially important to remember in the late spring and early summer. While you may expect warmer and sunny weather during this time of year, San Diego experiences “May Gray” and “June Gloom”. These months are prone to being particularly overcast, with cooler (for the area!) weather that typically doesn’t pass 70 degrees. 

If you are visiting in the winter, keep in mind that the season is mild, but you’ll still want some cozier pieces. That said, it’s not uncommon to see warmer days that reach well into the 70s in the winter! 

Of course, be sure to refer to the weather reports a few days before you leave so you can best prepare for your travels! You should also refer to the weather for the exact area(s) in San Diego that you are visiting. The weather can differ fairly drastically throughout the county. 

Take a look at my guide on the best time to visit San Diego to learn more about what you should expect when visiting during each season. 

San Diego Packing List: What to Wear + Pack for Your Trip

Now that you know a bit about San Diego’s weather, here is a look at what you should pack for your San Diego trip. 

Clothing

When deciding what to wear in San Diego, keep in mind that the city has a cool, casual vibe. Opt for chic yet laid-back outfits that are comfortable enough for a day of exploring San Diego (AKA America’s finest city!).  

As mentioned above, you’ll also want versatile, layerable clothing pieces. Even if you are visiting in the middle of the summer, it’ll be cooler in the early mornings and later evenings – layers are a must!

Keeping all that in mind, here is what to pack for San Diego: 

• Jeans and casual tops – these are essential clothing pieces no matter when you’re visiting!
• Dresses and skirts – this is less necessary for those visiting in the winter, but a staple for summer and early fall visitors.  
• Lightweight pants and shorts – again, these are more essential for summer and early fall vacationers. 
• Athletic wear – for those moments when you’re enjoying San Diego’s best outdoor activities…or are just looking to wear something a bit more comfortable! I’m a huge Beyond Yoga fan – if you wear leggings, I love their Caught In The Midi High Waisted Leggings!
• Lightweight layers – to keep yourself comfortable all day, make sure you bring some layerable pieces. Cardigans, denim jackets, leather jackets, and similar lighter outerwear options are all great choices. 
• Outerwear (for winter) – San Diego winters may not be too brutal, but it can still be chilly! If you’re visiting during this time of year, a short lightweight puffer, sherpa, or fleece jacket is a good clothing item to have on hand. 
• Rain jacket (for winter and spring) – San Diego doesn’t see a ton of rain, but check the forecast ahead of time. You may need to pack a rain jacket, as well. 
• Swimsuits – of course, if you’re planning on spending time at the beach (or by your resort’s pool), bring along a few swimsuits. 
• Swimsuit coverups – don’t forget to bring something to wear to and from the beach!
• Dinner and going out outfits – more casual (yet put together) outfits will do for most San Diego restaurants, but you may want to pack a couple elevated looks for going out at night. 

Footwear

Here are some of the footwear items you’ll want to bring along: 

• Supportive walking shoes – think casual sneakers, supportive sandals, or ankle boots. 
• Athletic shoes – particularly if you’re planning on doing easy hikes, or if you just want something more supportive for long days of exploring. I’m a huge fan of my On Cloud sneakers. 
• Flip flops – so that you have something easy to put on and take off at the beach or pool.
• Hiking boots – a must-have if you’re planning on doing more extensive hikes. Don’t forget to bring hiking socks, as well!
• Water shoes – these aren’t necessarily essential, but they are helpful if you’re planning on going kayaking or tidepooling. 
• Dressier shoes – depending on your itinerary, you may want to pack heels or other elevated shoes for going out to dinner or checking out San Diego’s nightlife. 

Sun Protection

As someone with quick-to-burn skin who grew up under the Southern California sun, I am well-versed in the world of sunscreen! 

Keep in mind that it’s important to use sun protection year-round, especially in a place like San Diego. Even in the dead of winter, the sun can damage the skin.

With that said, here are my favorite sunscreen products:

• Body sunscreen – Supergoop Play SPF 50 (water resistant)
• Face sunscreen – EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (not water resistant – my everyday sunscreen) and Sun Bum Original Face Lotion SPF 50 (water resistant)
• Lip sunscreen – COOLA Organic Liplux Lip Balm
• Hair part sunscreen – Supergoop Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder (this has been a game changer for keeping my scalp protected!)
• Scalp sunscreen – Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Scalp Mist (an excellent option for those with less hair)

Of course, you should also bring physical modes of sun protection, as well. This includes:

• Hat(s) – a wide-brimmed hat is best for the ultimate coverage, but a baseball hat will also do. 
• Sunglasses – keep your eyes properly shielded from the sun with polarized sunglasses.

Miscellaneous Necessities

Here are a few final items you may want to throw in your bag as you’re packing for San Diego: 

• Reusable water bottle
• Lightweight beach towels
• Misting fan
• Beach tote
• Backpack or shoulder bag 
• Portable charger