San Diego in April

In April, San Diego averages 20°C (68°F) during the day and 13°C (55°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (22 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

April is a great month to visit San Diego: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

20°C
Avg high
13°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
22 mm
Rainfall

How April compares to the rest of the year in San Diego

8th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in April
12 h 59 min
daylight on the 15th

April is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Diego (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (21°C). April runs 2°C warmer than March (19°C) and stays flat into May.

April sunrise & sunset in San Diego

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:18 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:18 PM
Day length
12 h 59 min

Times shown for San Diego local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of April. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in San Diego — April

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of April, in San Diego's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:18 AM – 5:58 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:58 AM – 6:58 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:38 PM – 7:38 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:38 PM – 8:18 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near San Diego.

📅 When to book — San Diego in April

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on April's tier (High season) and San Diego's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — April in San Diego

High season

This is a busy month in San Diego — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — April in San Diego

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.7
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in San Diego — April

16.2°C (61°F)
cold
wetsuit territory for most people

Across the year San Diego's sea swings from 14.7°C (February) to 21.5°C (August) — April sits at 16.2°C.

San Diego in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 62 mm 8
February 18°C / 65°F 9°C / 48°F 48 mm 8
March 19°C / 65°F 11°C / 51°F 44 mm 11
April 20°C / 68°F 13°C / 55°F 22 mm 8
May 20°C / 68°F 14°C / 58°F 16 mm 9
June 22°C / 72°F 16°C / 61°F 2 mm 4
July 25°C / 76°F 18°C / 65°F 5 mm 2
August 26°C / 78°F 19°C / 66°F 9 mm 3
September 26°C / 78°F 18°C / 65°F 11 mm 5
October 24°C / 76°F 16°C / 60°F 10 mm 5
November 21°C / 70°F 12°C / 53°F 28 mm 6
December 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 63 mm 8

Other cities with similar April weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Diego in April →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Diego in April?

In April, San Diego averages a high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in San Diego in April?

April sees occasional rain in San Diego, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is April a good time to visit San Diego?

April is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for San Diego in April?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full April packing list for San Diego for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open San Diego on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.