What October feels like in San Diego
October is mid-autumn in San Diego. Days are warm enough for short sleeves, and time outdoors is easy. Evenings bring a clear drop in temperature, and nights stay mild. The air carries some moisture, so hot spells feel a little sticky.
Rain in San Diego in October
October is a dry month in San Diego; rain falls about one day in 16. Each rainy day adds about 6.4 mm (0.3 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 October
Mid-month, San Diego gets 11 h 25 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:52 am to sunset near 6:17 pm. Compared with mid-September, the day has lost 1 h. Measured sunshine covers about 89% of the daylight — skies are mostly clear.
How October compares to the rest of the year
In San Diego's temperature order, October sits as the 4th warmest month. Compared with September, afternoons are 1.7°C (3.1°F) cooler, with 4 mm more rain. November is cooler again. By November, typical highs are 20.9°C (69.6°F).
Who October suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- 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 October
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is San Diego in October?
Expect around 23.6°C (74.5°F) in the afternoon and 15.2°C (59.4°F) at night, which most visitors would call warm.
Does it rain a lot in San Diego in October?
No — October is one of the drier times, with about 2 rainy days and 13 mm in total.
What should I wear in San Diego in October?
The numbers point to versatile layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is October or November better for visiting San Diego?
On our 12-month climate ranking, October comes out ahead (#6 of 12 vs #8). November is cooler and has more rainy days.