San Diego Weather in May

Temperatures in May in San Diego reach pleasant highs of 70°F (21°C) and lows hardly ever drop below 57°F (14°C). On average there are only 2 rainy days to be expected for the whole month. The Pacific Ocean water temperature still only measures a pretty chilly 63°F (17°C). On the real downside though, May is famous for being pretty overcast and is therefore referred to as ‘May Gray’. With an average daily sunshine of 8 hours, the sun is out less than in the preceding months.

If you don’t mind the ‘May Gray’, May is still a great time to visit San Diego. Actually, the conditions are ideal if you are planning to explore this great place. Check out this great guide on the best things to explore (with kids) in the area. And don’t miss some of the best Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

Best Time to Visit San Diego

San Diego is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year. The temperature chart is well balanced all year round.

During summer, average daytime temperatures hover in the low 70s F (low 20s C) and winters also remain pleasantly warm with temperatures in the low 60s F (high 10s C). Temperatures never drop below the freezing point. May and June tend to be a little more overcast and less sunny.

The Pacific Ocean, however, remains relatively cool all year round and also in summer its water temperature rarely gets warmer than 72°F (22°C). If you are looking to swim, you should try to visit San Diego either in July or August.

Things to know about San Diego

San Diego is probably one of the least typical US cities one would imagine. Even though there is a downtown with skyscrapers and everything else any larger US city has to offer, the city is mostly characterized by its Hispanic influence. Even though only a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles, the city directly borders Mexico and that’s what gives San Diego this unique feel and a lot of history and sights. Below you can find a summary of the best attractions and everything you should know before travelling to San Diego.

• First of all, the most beautiful place in San Diego is its huge Balboa Park. It is located right in the city center and hosts all sorts of museums and gardens. Given its size you could easily spend a whole day there and best of all, most of the entrances are free and there is also plenty of parking.

• Most US cities don’t tend to have that European style city centre which invites you to shop, stroll or enjoy al fresco dining. However, San Diego Downtown in its historic ‘Gaslamp Quarter’ does.
• If you are looking to find a real ‘Old Town’ in the United States, you must head to San Diego. You will find it southeast from the intersection of Interstate 5 and 8, not far from SeaWorld. Within the Historic State Park there is a colorful and interesting mixture of 5 buildings dating back to the beginning of the 19th century as well as further reconstructed houses. These buildings host not only souvenir shops, snack bars and restaurants but also reconstructions of an old museum, a school, a court, a bakery and a few stables to give you a feel of life back then.
• Seaport Village is located southwest of Downtown San Diego right on the bay between the Convention Center and the USS Midway Museum. The huge complex consists of 70 shops and restaurants built in the style of a fisherman’s village. It’s a lovely place to stroll around and enjoy a dinner or ice cream.
• Even if you aren’t into military things the USS Midway is well worth a visit. For more than 10 years the USS Midway was the largest vessel in the world and since 2003 it can be visited as a museum.

• Southeast of San Diego you will find the peninsula of Point Loma. Together with Coronado it forms the bay of the city. On the peninsula are some good cheap motels as well as the Cabrillo National Monument with its light house. The monument has been built to commemorate Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo who was the first European to reach the West Coast in the 16th century. From here you also have great views of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. Especially in summer it can get quite hazy and it’s best to visit in the morning for the optimal view.
• Another must is the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. It is located west of the city and offers fantastic sunset views across the ocean.

• Given San Diego’s mild year-round weather, the stunning beaches are one of the major reasons you would want to visit. Within easy reach of the center of town is Ocean Beach. This beach is reminiscent of a bit of the tackiness of Venice Beach in LA and the better choice might therefore be Mission Beach which invites you for endless strolls along its lovely boardwalk. A little bit further north you will find Pacific Beach which is one of the most authentic beaches in the area and the everyday go-to for locals. Coronado Beach, on the other hand, is the more exclusive destination for the well to do locals. And so is the beautiful La Jolla which is a little out of town but really very special and fantastic for all sorts of watersports.
• The San Diego Zoo, located right next to the Balboa Park, is a must especially if visiting with children. A great way to explore the huge area is the Skyfari, a gondola taking you around. The Zoo is particularly famous for still being home to pandas so don’t miss these.
• The San Diego SeaWorld mustn’t be mistaken for an aquarium. It is much more like a zoo for all sorts of water animals with loads of rollercoasters and entertainment to boot.

Other destinations by month