Best time to visit San Diego

September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

September to October

September and October keep summer warmth with thinner crowds, little rain and softer lodging demand after Labor Day.

“September in particular is the best month to visit San Diego (with October being a close second!).” seatosequoia.com
“September and October could easily be the best months all year for a trip.” tripsavvy.com
“September and October are the sweet spot” nomadotravel.app

6 of the 8 travel guides we read name these months.

San Diego month by month

Average high and low in San Diego, and days with rain

January66°F / 50°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Coldest month, with averages around 50F, but popular with people escaping harsh winters.Gray whale migration peaks January through March.San Diego Tet Festival
February66°F / 52°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Gray whale watching continues through winter, with lower rental rates and no restaurant waits.
March67°F / 55°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Rain tapers off; March averages about 6 days of rain and is windy.Spring highs climb from about 66F toward 72F by May.The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch · San Diego Crew Classic
April69°F / 57°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Balboa Park gardens look their best in full bloom.Beach days start around the end of April; March and April are especially windy.
May70°F / 60°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…May Gray: a morning marine layer that burns off by noon.Rainfall in May and June is almost zero.
June72°F / 63°F · 1 rainy daysChecking fares…June Gloom: persistent coastal overcast that usually clears by early July.The San Diego County Fair in Del Mar runs from early June to early July.San Diego County Fair
July75°F / 66°F · 1 rainy daysChecking fares…Comic-Con takes over downtown in late July and hotels sell out.Peak beach season; highs reach 78 to 82F with almost no rainfall.San Diego Comic-Con
August77°F / 68°F · 0 rainy daysChecking fares…Among the hottest months, with highs often in the mid-80s.Leopard sharks migrate to La Jolla Shores from August to October.
Best timeSeptember77°F / 66°F · 1 rainy daysChecking fares…Temperatures still reach the high 70s.Crowds calm down, particularly after Labor Day.Miramar Air Show
Best timeOctober75°F / 62°F · 2 rainy daysChecking fares…Water temperatures drop sharply in October.October is Kids Free Month in San Diego, with free kid admission at many sites.
November71°F / 55°F · 4 rainy daysChecking fares…Cooler, with water about 15F colder than September, and more chance of rain.Busy again in Thanksgiving week; the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival is in November.San Diego Beer Week
December66°F / 50°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Among the three coldest months, with festive decorations downtown and rarely below 50F.San Diego Bay Parade of Lights and holiday markets take place in winter.Balboa Park December Nights

Weather: San Diego averages from NOAA (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to San Diego from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in San Diego

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June through AugustBusiest and most expensive time; book well in advance.
Late June through AugustCoastal hotels raise rates and beach parking gets hard on weekends.
Late JulyComic-Con makes downtown hotels hard to book.

Quietest

December through FebruaryQuieter, cheaper and mild enough for sightseeing, though not ideal for swimming.
Mid-September to NovemberBeaches are less crowded and hotel rates dip.
WinterRental rates are the lowest of the year.

Watch for

May and JuneMay Gray and June Gloom keep coastal mornings overcast.
March, April, September, OctoberDry, windy conditions raise fire risk around the city.
FallSanta Ana winds can push even coastal temperatures into the 90s.
November through MarchRainy season, though only about 10 to 11 inches fall a year.

Questions people ask

What is San Diego like in September?: Often warmer than August, since summer temperatures continue into the fall.
Is San Diego warm in April?: Beach days can start at the end of April.
What is the weather like in San Diego in May?: By mid-May a marine layer settles along the coast and mornings can be gray.

Best time to visit San Diego

September to October

San Diego month by month

Every date to San Diego from your city

What's on in San Diego

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit San Diego

September to October

San Diego month by month

Every date to San Diego from your city

What's on in San Diego

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places