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San Diego, United States · Temperate oceanic

San Diego in January: go or not?

Good time. San Diego in January gets 7.5/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 32.72°N · 117.16°W
⚡ This month's verdict
Go for it
San Diego · January
7.5
8–17°
Temperature
20%
Rain
8h
Sun
🌊 Seaside☀️ Bright🍴 Gastronomy
Photo : MontyLov via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in January

In January, San Diego sees 17.0°F during the day with 7.7h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (20.0% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if July (9.2/10) remains theoretically better.

January ranks 10 out of 12 months in San Diego. Compared to December: −2°F daytime.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index
4 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
8°
Sea
16°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
10.1h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 31
Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in San Diego is July (9.2/10), 1.7 pt higher than January.

See July →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

San Diego is the most stable Californian climate of the south: morning clouds (May Gray, June Gloom) then afternoon sunshine , never extreme heat thanks to the cold California Current. July-August are my favorite months (9.3/10): 64-77°F, 0-2% rain, sea at 66-70°F (cool for Europeans).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Hotels & rentals · San Diego
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Tours, tickets, experiences
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Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · United States

🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 77°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 63°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘMarch · 28%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
Santa BarbaraUnited StatesLos AngelesUnited StatesEssaouiraMoroccoCasablancaMoroccoOranAlgeria
Nearby
Palm SpringsUnited States136 kmLas VegasUSA426 kmPhoenixUnited States481 kmSedonaUnited States553 km
Other top picks
AlicanteSpain7.4CasablancaMorocco7.4BujumburaBurundi7.6La PalmaSpain7.6TofoMozambique7.6
← DecemberFebruary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is San Diego ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
United States
Temperate oceanic climate with a 9.2 → 7.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
32.72°N · 117.16°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit San Diego?
August is the best month with 77°F highs, 66°F lows, 9.5h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of August & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does San Diego get in August?
San Diego averages 9.5 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in San Diego?
March is the most unfavourable month with March has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in San Diego in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 66°F, while afternoon highs average 77°F.
Is San Diego good in winter?
In winter (December-February), San Diego scores 7.1/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 8.9/10.
When should you avoid San Diego?
March is the most difficult month to visit San Diego, with March has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in San Diego in January?
In January, the sea averages 60°F in San Diego: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in San Diego in January?
The average UV index reaches 4 in January in San Diego (moderate), with about 10.1h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.