San Diego in August
In August, San Diego averages 26°C (78°F) during the day and 19°C (66°F) at night, with only about 3 rainy days.
Peak seasonConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Skies are generally dry and clear.
It's peak hurricane season in San Diego during August. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.
How August compares to the rest of the year in San Diego
August is one of the warmest months in San Diego (2nd of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C above the annual average (21°C). August runs 1°C warmer than July (25°C) and stays flat into September.
August sunrise & sunset in San Diego
Times shown for San Diego local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of August. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San Diego — August
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of August, in San Diego's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San Diego in August
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 August's tier (Peak season) and San Diego's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — August in San Diego
San Diego is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather Northern Hemisphere summer holidays beach-season conditions peak hazard season (1 active)
Sun & mosquito risk — August in San Diego
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 — August
Across the year San Diego's sea swings from 14.7°C (February) to 21.5°C (August) — August sits at 21.5°C.
San Diego in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow 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 August weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Diego in August →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San Diego in August?
In August, San Diego averages a high of 26°C (78°F) and a low of 19°C (66°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in San Diego in August?
August is generally dry in San Diego, with about 3 rainy days on average.
Is August a good time to visit San Diego?
August is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for San Diego in August?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full August packing list for San Diego for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.