San Diego in March

In March, San Diego averages 19°C (65°F) during the day and 11°C (51°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (44 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March offers comfortable temperatures in San Diego, with some rain to plan around.

19°C
Avg high
11°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
44 mm
Rainfall

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

9th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
14%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 57 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Diego (9th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C below the annual average (21°C). March runs roughly the same as February (18°C) and warms a further 2°C into April (20°C).

March sunrise & sunset in San Diego

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:58 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:56 PM
Day length
11 h 57 min

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

Photography light in San Diego — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:58 AM – 6:38 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:38 AM – 7:38 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:16 PM – 7:16 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:16 PM – 7:56 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 March

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 March'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 — March 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 — March in San Diego

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.1
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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 — March

15.4°C (60°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) — March sits at 15.4°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 March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San Diego in March?

In March, San Diego averages a high of 19°C (65°F) and a low of 11°C (51°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in San Diego in March?

March can be fairly wet in San Diego, with about 11 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit San Diego?

March 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 March?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full March 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.