San Diego
Go for beaches, Balboa Park and mild weather, with Tijuana just across the border and a bayfront with a long Navy history.
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San Diego faces the Pacific in the southern part of California, and the Mexican border runs right alongside it. Tijuana lies just across the line. The city is the county seat of San Diego County and the second-most populous in California, with a long tie to the US Navy that still shapes the downtown waterfront.
The main draws are the beaches, the parks and the mild climate, which brings about 201 days above 70°F a year. Balboa Park holds Spanish and Baroque-style buildings from its 1915 and 1935 fairs, plus the San Diego Zoo and several museums. Old Town marks where the first Spanish-era settlement began, and Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769. Rain mostly falls from December to March, while May through September is nearly dry. Late spring often brings a cool marine layer to the coast, so bring a layer for the beaches.
San Diego in five
- Skip the Torrey Pines trails until spring 2027California State Parks closed Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to all visitors from September 22, 2026 for a utility project, with reopening scheduled around March 1, 2027. Torrey Pines State Beach and its beach lots stay open.State Parks project page
- Ride the trolley and let PRONTO cap the fareMTS lists an adult one-way fare of $3.00 and a $7.00 day pass earned through PRONTO fare capping. The trolley links downtown with UC San Diego, the South Bay and the Mexico border.Getting around the USA
- Cross to Coronado by ferryFlagship lists the Convention Center to Coronado crossing at 15 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes and $9 one way. The Broadway Pier crossing runs hourly.San Diego in 3 days
- Enter Balboa Park free, pay for the museumsThe park is open to everyone, and each museum charges its own admission. Visitors Center walking tours run Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am with a suggested $5 donation.Where to stay in San Diego
- Reach Cabrillo National Monument before 4:30 pmThe main park is open 9 am to 5 pm, the tidepools close at 4:30 pm and the main gate closes at 5 pm. An entrance pass is required, so check the current price on the park's fee page.
Things to do in San Diego
See all attractions in San Diego
Need to know
- Airport
- San Diego (SAN); ground transport from the plazas outside Terminals 1 and 2
- Getting there
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles and Orange County; flights to SAN
- Getting around
- MTS trolley and bus, Coronado ferry; a car helps for beaches and day trips
- Best base
- Downtown or Little Italy for transit; La Jolla or Pacific Beach for sand
- Time needed
- 3 days; 4 with Coronado and La Jolla
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, cool seaJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cool sea
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, quietFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, clearMarchClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Sunny, easyAprilClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sunny, easy
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°May GrayMayClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
May Gray
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°June GloomJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
June Gloom
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low20°Warm, beachAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beach
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low19°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, clearOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Mild, quieterNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, lightsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in San Diego, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in San Diego
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
San Diego
12:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°12°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue24°12°9%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Wed23°20°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu23°19°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri26°20°0%Friday: Clear. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat28°21°0%Saturday: Clear. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:26 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Los AngelesPacific Surfliner or a long driveA rail day is possible, but the city rewards a night or two on its own.Read the guide
- Greater Palm Springsa full day by carDesert pools and mid-century architecture, best with a car and an early start.Read the guide
- Joshua Tree National Parka long day by car or a nightBoulders and dark skies; check heat and fuel before you enter.Read the guide
Before you go to San Diego
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for San Diego, checked
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is closed to all visitors from Sept. 22, 2026, reopening scheduled around March 1, 2027; the beach lots stay open.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Cabrillo National Monument: open daily 9 am to 5 pm, tidepools close 4:30 pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; an entrance pass is required.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- USS Midway Museum: open daily 10 am to 5 pm, last admission 4 pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around San Diego
The Pacific Surfliner links the two cities
Read the guideSanta Barbara travel guideFurther up the Pacific Surfliner line from Los Angeles
Read the guideESTA before you fly into SANVisa waiver visitors apply before boarding
Read the guideAll of the USACities, parks and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideSan Diego FAQ
How many days do you need in San Diego?
Three days cover Balboa Park, the harbor with Coronado, and a coastal day at La Jolla or the beaches. Two is enough for Balboa Park and the waterfront if you skip the zoo and the coast.
Is Torrey Pines open right now?
The trails and park road are closed to all visitors from September 22, 2026, with reopening scheduled around March 1, 2027. Torrey Pines State Beach and the North and South Beach lots remain open, so a beach walk is still possible.
Do you need a car in San Diego?
Not downtown. The trolley, buses and the Coronado ferry reach most city sights. A car or ride share helps for La Jolla, the beach towns and any trip to the desert.
Where should you stay in San Diego for a first visit?
Downtown or Little Italy if you want trolley access and no car. Choose Coronado or La Jolla for a scenic, quieter stay, and Pacific Beach or Mission Beach for sand and a casual evening scene.
What is the best time to visit San Diego?
April, September, October and November are the clearest months, with mild days and thinner crowds. Late spring and early summer often bring a morning marine layer, so build in a flexible beach day.