What May feels like in San Diego
Late spring arrives in San Diego with May. The middle of the day is pleasantly mild. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights stay mild and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moist air is typical, yet it seldom feels heavy at this time of year.
Rain in San Diego in May
Rain is rare in May — most weeks pass without a wet day. Each rainy day adds about 5.4 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 8.3 mm per rainy day.
Daylight and sunshine in May
Mid-month, San Diego gets 13 h 49 min of daylight, from sunrise near 5:50 am to sunset near 7:39 pm. The days are stretching out — 52 min more daylight than mid-April. About 86% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In San Diego's temperature order, May sits as the 6th coolest month. Against April, the average high is 0.7°C (1.3°F) higher, with 9 mm less rain. Temperatures keep climbing into June. By June, typical highs are 22.1°C (71.8°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- 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 May
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is San Diego in May?
Afternoons average 20.1°C (68.2°F) and nights about 13.7°C (56.7°F) — mild by most people's standards. It is the 6th coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in San Diego in May?
Hardly — only about 2 rainy days and 11 mm for the whole month.
What should I wear in San Diego in May?
Pack sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is May or June better for visiting San Diego?
On our 12-month climate ranking, June comes out ahead (#1 of 12 vs #5). June is warmer and has fewer rainy days.