What March feels like in San Diego
March is early spring in San Diego. Daytime temperatures are mild — neither cold nor hot for walking around. Little changes after sunset — nights are cool, only slightly below the daytime level. The air is fairly humid, though at these temperatures it rarely feels oppressive.
Rain in San Diego in March
Most days stay dry; rain arrives about one day in 5. A rainy day brings about 7.8 mm (0.3 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. Across the year San Diego averages about 8.3 mm per rainy day, so March is typical.
Daylight and sunshine in March
In mid-March, sunrise is at about 7:01 am and sunset at about 6:56 pm (local time) — 11 h 55 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 55 min more daylight than mid-February. The sun is out for roughly 89% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How March compares to the rest of the year
In San Diego's temperature order, March sits as the 4th coolest month. Compared with February, afternoons are 0.4°C (0.7°F) warmer, with 6 mm less rain. April continues the upward trend. By April, typical highs are 19.4°C (66.9°F).
Who March suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Beach: a good fit — warm and mostly dry on the coast.
Tips for visiting San Diego in March
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is San Diego in March?
Expect around 18°C (64.4°F) in the afternoon and 10.3°C (50.5°F) at night, which most visitors would call mild.
Does it rain a lot in San Diego in March?
Not especially. There are about 6 rainy days (47 mm), mostly moderate rain.
What should I wear in San Diego in March?
The numbers point to sunglasses. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is March or April better for visiting San Diego?
On our 12-month climate ranking, April comes out ahead (#7 of 12 vs #10). April is warmer and has fewer rainy days.