Absolute Best Time to Visit San Diego
Are you looking for the best time to visit San Diego for your vacation? Our San Diego vacation rentals are available year-round. However, your preference for certain activities and attractions will help you decide when to make your reservations.
As our guest, we’ll help you have a blast any season you decide to visit San Diego. From beach fun to popular festivals to spotting wildlife, here are the highlights to discover in every season.
The Best Time to Visit San Diego
The idyllic San Diego weather makes it a fun year-round destination. It has exciting activities and events for every season. Depending on the types of activities you enjoy during your vacation, you might find one season suits you better than the other.
The best overall time to visit San Diego is the fall. It’s the shoulder season with fewer crowds, and the weather remains exceptional for enjoying the beach and other outdoor fun. Summer is the most popular time to visit and enjoy beach fun, as well as the most popular events and festivals of the year. If you’re looking for sun, avoid visiting during ‘June Gloom,’ which has frequent overcast weather.
Spring is an excellent alternative to visiting San Diego during the fall. It’s also a shoulder season with fewer crowds than the summer. Late spring has favorable weather comparable to the summer if you want a head start on beach season. We know it’s hard to stay indoors when the weather is nice, so we recommend experiencing the museums, aquariums, and other venues during a winter getaway.
Let’s explore more in-depth what makes each season special!
Visiting San Diego in the Spring
- Best for: Exploring the outdoors
- Average temperature range: 55°F-69°F
- Why you should visit San Diego during the spring: Mild weather for exploring outdoors and fewer crowds during the shoulder season.
Spring brings new life to San Diego. The temperatures begin to warm from the winter, and the prior wet season means nature will be in full bloom these months. The shoulder season is perfect for spending time outdoors. The weather isn’t too hot, so you can explore for hours every day before returning to your San Diego vacation rental to unwind.
The Big Bloom
Photo Credit: 1000Photography
Flowers are springing up all across San Diego. Witness the flower blooms in Carlsbad Flower Fields or attend the Coronado Flower Show held annually in April at Spreckels Park. Also, Cherry Blossom Week at the Japanese Friendship Garden blooms every March.
Outdoor Activities
Photo Credit: Sandra Foyt
Pack your hiking shoes and wander the rugged trails in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to coastal views, tide pools, and quiet beaches. Make the trek to the summit of Mt. Soledad for a breathtaking panoramic view of San Diego—considered one of the best viewpoints.
Events
Photo Credit: Brian G. Lewis
Celebrate Mexican heritage with the Cinco de Mayo festivities held throughout Old Town San Diego. It’s a fiesta with all things Mexico—food, live music, dancing, and more. While you’re in the area, grab a bite to eat at one of the recommendations for the best restaurants in Old Town San Diego.
Check out more fun things to do this season in our Ultimate Guide to Spring in San Diego.
Visiting San Diego in the Summer
- Best for: Enjoying water activities
- Average temperature range: 61°F-77°F
- Why you should visit San Diego during the summer: Best weather for water activities and events.
Summer is peak season in San Diego—and for good reason! Temperatures rise to a perfect 70s, an abundance of sunny days, and the water warms up enough for you to have plenty of splashing fun during your vacation. Summer means that schools are out, and everyone comes out to play in Southern California’s favorite beach destination.
Crowds
Photo Credit: Koeppen Photo
Due to its popularity, you can expect larger crowds, especially in June and July. Keep that in mind when planning tours and making restaurant reservations. Higher hotel rates make San Diego vacation rentals a preferred alternative for accommodations.
Hit the Beach
Photo Credit: Karen Dole
The summer months are the best time to visit San Diego when you want to take advantage of our 70 miles of Pacific coastline. There are more than 30 beaches in San Diego County. Walk the beach boardwalk at Mission Beach before enjoying a day of swimming, surfing, and kayaking.
Water Activities
Photo Credit: Benny Marty
Groups staying in our family-friendly vacation rentals will enjoy the wide Coronado Beach, where kids will have tons of space to run around in the sand. Visit La Jolla Cove to see sea lions on the beach and the vibrant marine life below the surface with scuba diving.
Events
Photo Credit: Eudaimonic Traveler
The beaches aren’t the only attractions drawing large crowds. More than 130,000 people attend the famous Comic Con in downtown San Diego, and the San Diego Pride Parade draws more than 300,000 spectators every July. If you think that’s impressive, consider the nearly one million attendees to the recent San Diego County Fair!
Pro Tip: We recommend booking your San Diego vacation rental early if you’re planning summer travel. Accommodations fill up quickly for this season.
Visiting San Diego in the Fall
- Best for: Family visits – something for everyone!
- Average temperature range: 65°F-70°F
- Why you should visit San Diego during the fall: Ideal weather for water sports and other outdoor activities, and fewer crowds during shoulder months.
With summer crowds thinning and temperatures cooling slightly, fall is the perfect all-around season to visit America’s Finest City. Between exciting events and visiting local attractions, you’ll have a packed itinerary for your entire stay. Bring the whole family because there’s even something special for the kids this season.
Events
Photo Credit: Fast Forward Event Productions via Flickr CC2.0
Mark your calendar for a host of fall events that bring you to many of San Diego’s most popular locations. Calling all foodies to the San Diego Restaurant Week in September to explore more than 100 top eateries in the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Oceanside, La Jolla, Harbor Island, and more.
In November, wine and dine at the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival set to the backdrop of the Port of San Diego. Food crawl your way through more than 20 restaurants during the annual Taste of the Gaslamp Quarter, held for nearly three decades, or attend the Miramar Air Show for the biggest military air show in the US.
Between festival fun, the fall season still has great beach weather lingering from the summer. In fact, this is the best season for surfing, thanks to the Santa Ana winds!
Hit the Zoo and Theme Parks
Photo Credit: James Kirkikis
Take advantage of the Kids Free San Diego series. During October, kids age 12 and younger get free admission to the San Diego Zoo, theme parks, and more than 50 attractions other attractions and special offers at several local restaurants.
See a complete list of things to do this season in our Fall in San Diego Guide.
Visiting San Diego in the Winter
- Best for: Museum hopping and holiday events.
- Average temperature range: 50°F-66°F
- Why you should visit San Diego during the winter: Best time for whale watching, specials on indoor attractions, and lots of holiday events.
The beach is a highlight of a visit to San Diego, but there’s so much more to this city than our sunny shores. Winter is the perfect opportunity to explore other popular attractions.
Forget everything you thought you knew about the typical ‘winter’ weather. You won’t get any snow here in Southern California. You’ll still experience warm weather, with highs averaging in the 60s. The downside is that it’s the rainiest time of year, and the ocean water is too cold for most people who are only in town visiting. Ambitious surfers can get away with a wetsuit.
Get Cultured
Photo Credit: Brian G. Lewis
The good news is that there are several other options to check out during the cooler season. On rainy days, spend time exploring the many museums dotting the city. February is San Diego Museum Month, offering half-off admission to more than 60 local museums. Visit Balboa Park, and you can accomplish multiple in one day!
Whale Watching
Photo Credit: The Image Party
Winter months are the best times for whale watching in San Diego. Follow the whale songs towards the coast to spot gray whales migrating from Alaska to Baja California. Top viewing locations include the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Cabrillo National Monument, or even whale-watching boat tours.
Events
Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org
It’s hard not to be in the Christmas spirit when visiting San Diego in winter. Events like the Balboa Park December Nights and the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights keep you in a festival mood all December.
See a complete list of fun things to do in San Diego during the winter with this San Diego winter guide.
Plan Your San Diego Stay Year Round
Every season offers something exciting to do. Find your ideal season based on local events and popular seasonal activities.
