San Diego in October
In October, San Diego averages 24°C (76°F) during the day and 16°C (60°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (10 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
It's peak hurricane season in San Diego during October. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.
How October compares to the rest of the year in San Diego
October is in the middle of the year for warmth in San Diego (4th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (21°C). October runs 1°C cooler than September (26°C) and cools 3°C in November (21°C).
October sunrise & sunset in San Diego
Times shown for San Diego local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San Diego — October
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in San Diego's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San Diego in October
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 October's tier (Shoulder) and San Diego's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — October in San Diego
San Diego is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather peak hazard season (1 active)
Sun & mosquito risk — October 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 — October
Across the year San Diego's sea swings from 14.7°C (February) to 21.5°C (August) — October sits at 18.9°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 October weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Diego in October →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San Diego in October?
In October, San Diego averages a high of 24°C (76°F) and a low of 16°C (60°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in San Diego in October?
October sees occasional rain in San Diego, with about 5 rainy days on average.
Is October a good time to visit San Diego?
October 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 October?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full October packing list for San Diego for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.