When To Go
There is, quite simply, no bad time to go to San Diego. When it's 30 degrees and snowing at home, San Diego will be 75 and sunny; when it's 100 degrees where you live, it will also be about 75 and sunny in San Diego. The trick is to avoid the crowds – the high season is the summer months – the busiest and most crowded time with everyone from families to cruisers making the most of their vacation time. The low season runs from November through February, and you'll find these days to be the coldest weather (mid-60s) and the lowest hotel prices – the water may also be too cold for swimming. The best bang for your buck comes in the months of March, April, and May, when you can hit the beaches and attractions without throngs of (other) tourists around.
When To Go
High-season
summer
Low-season
November - February
Best bang for your buck
March - May
$104+: Kid- & pet-friendly San Diego stay w/kitchen suites Marriott Hotels
$169+: Stay in Spanish-style San Diego Old Town hotel Marriott Hotels
$119+: Stay nr San Diego zoo, Balboa Park, & SeaWorld Marriott Hotels
$119+: Kid-friendly San Diego stay nr top attractions Marriott Hotels
$129+: San Diego Gaslamp hotel ideal for cruise departures Marriott Hotels
$164+: San Diego hotel nr zoo w/$30 dining card Marriott Hotels
$118+: Stay in San Diego hotel w/gym, pool & restaurant Marriott Hotels
$125+: Stay in San Diego hotel nr aquarium & golf Marriott Hotels
$41+: Budget San Diego hotel near bay w/pool Hotels.com
$144+: San Diego State University tour hotel combo w/brkfst heraton Mission Valley San Diego Hotel
$129+: Low San Diego hotel rates w/free room upgrade Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
$38/nt+: Last-minute getaways to Chicago, San Diego & more Hotels.com
$189/nt+: San Diego Gaslamp Quarter 2-nt stay w/$50 credit Perfect Escapes
$159/nt+: San Diego bed & breakfast w/upgrade & late check-out Perfect Escapes
$42/nt+: Low nightly rates at San Diego hotel near SeaWorld Good Nite Inn SeaWorld
Up to 35% off: Hotels in Cancun, Flordia & Puerto Rico Hotels.com
$179+: Mexico 3-nt cruise from San Diego on Carnival Elation Carnival
$569+: 7-nt Mexico cruise w/up to $100 ship credit Cruise.com
$449+: 5-nt Mexico-Pacific cruise to Cabo w/prepaid tips Cruise.com
$284+: San Diego 4-nt trip w/flight & hotel near golf & zoo Travelocity
$257+: 3-nt San Diego hotel stay w/air near Gaslamp Quarter Victorian Getaway
$493+: Ramada Conference Center Expedia
$49+: Last-minute flights to all major US cities (one-way) Frontier Airlines
$151+: Low round-trip flights to sunny San Diego Major Airlines