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Month-by-month packing lists, real temperature ranges, beach + hike essentials, and what to leave home. Written by locals who've seen every packing mistake.
Last updated
What should you pack for San Diego? Pack layers: San Diego days run 65-78°F but evenings near the water drop 10-15 degrees, so bring a light jacket or hoodie year-round. Add sunscreen, walking shoes, a swimsuit, and a light rain layer only if you're visiting December through March.
Source: Sandi Spots — Last updated
San Diego is casual and layered — always pack a light jacket, even in August, because coastal evenings drop into the 60s. Summer: shorts, tees, 2 swimsuits, SPF 30+. Winter: jeans, sweater, warm jacket, rain shell. No formal wear needed anywhere. Skip the umbrella May–October.
Cool, occasional rain, whales offshore
Pack:
Skip: Shorts-only wardrobe. Locals wear jeans and hoodies through winter.
Similar to January, gray mornings
Pack:
Skip: Assuming it's beach weather — water is 58°F, most people won't swim.
Spring break, unpredictable weather
Pack:
Skip: Overpacking heavy coats. Days can hit 75°F.
Peak wildflower / Anza-Borrego season
Pack:
Skip: Nothing warm — May Gray starts and mornings stay cool.
May Gray — cloudy AM, sunny PM
Pack:
Skip: Assuming May = summer. Marine layer keeps mornings gray.
June Gloom — persistent AM overcast
Pack:
Skip: Expecting all-day sun. Fog often burns off by noon — plan beach for PM.
Peak summer, warm and sunny
Pack:
Skip: Heavy jackets. Formal wear (most restaurants are casual).
Warmest month, warmest water
Pack:
Skip: Wool anything. Even coastal evenings stay warm.
Locals' favorite month — warm, clear, less crowded
Pack:
Skip: Underestimating heat — inland can hit 90°F+.
Warm days, cool nights, wildfire risk inland
Pack:
Skip: Assuming cold — days are often 78°F.
Cool and crisp, holiday lights start
Pack:
Skip: Shorts as your only option — nights hit the 50s.
Coolest month, holiday events, gray whales arrive
Pack:
Skip: Beach-only mindset. Winter is for hikes, whales, and holiday events.
The UV index in San Diego is 8–10 May through September. Regular sunscreen is banned on some reefs — Blue Lizard, Sun Bum Mineral, and Alba Botanica are locally approved.
Even in August, beach evenings drop to 65°F. The marine layer chills off Sunset Cliffs and Coronado by 7pm year-round.
Glare off the ocean is intense. Polarized lenses cut it dramatically.
You'll walk 15,000+ steps a day between Balboa Park, the Zoo, Gaslamp, and any beach town. Skip the brand-new sandals.
Shorts, t-shirts, 2+ swimsuits, reef-safe SPF 30+ sunscreen, a light hoodie for beach evenings (temps drop to 65°F after sunset), a sun hat, walking sandals, and one nicer casual outfit for dinner. Skip heavy jackets and umbrellas — June through September is essentially rain-free.
Yes, always — even in August. Coastal evenings drop into the mid-60s, and the marine layer chills off Sunset Cliffs, Coronado, and Pacific Beach by 7pm. A light hoodie or windbreaker is enough May through October; upgrade to a proper jacket November through March.
Cool, not cold. December–February averages 66°F daytime highs and 50°F nighttime lows. You'll want long pants, long sleeves, a warm jacket, and a rain shell — but no snow gear, no gloves, no beanies for most travelers.
A persistent marine layer of low clouds that hangs over coastal San Diego from May through mid-July. It burns off by late morning or early afternoon most days. Plan beach time for 1pm+ during these months and pack a light layer for the fog.
November through April: yes, a light rain shell. May through October: no. San Diego averages 10 inches of rain per year, almost all falling between December and March.
One comfortable walking shoe (sneakers or trail runners), one pair of sandals, and one slightly nicer casual option for dinner. If you plan on hiking (Torrey Pines, Cowles, Iron Mountain), bring proper hiking shoes — the trails are rocky.
In summer (July–September), no — water is 68–72°F. In winter and spring, most people wear a 3/2mm wetsuit. Water temps drop to 58°F January–March. Rent wetsuits at any surf shop for $10–$15/day.
Casual to smart casual everywhere. Even the Michelin-starred spots (Addison, Sushi Ota) accept nice jeans and a button-down. No jacket-and-tie requirements anywhere in the county.
Locals don't. Daytime highs of 66°F feel cool with any coastal wind, and evenings drop to 50°F. Long pants and a sweater are more comfortable and let you blend in.
Bring some for day one, then buy locally if you need more. Hawaii and California reef regulations mean most local shops stock reef-safe mineral sunscreen (Blue Lizard, Sun Bum Mineral) that's harder to find back home.
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .