What's the weather like mid may in San Diego
 

I'm planning a trip the week of May 10th through 17th, what is the weather typically like? I heard the weather can be gloomy and cool. Is this a good time to plan or should I reconsider.

Almost any time to visit San Diego is great and May should be fine but I'm sure other locals can give more details. I've heard of the June Gloom but it didn't bother us much when we were there that month one year!

Hearing about June gloom made me nervous. Some things I heard we're saying it can be the same way in May.

May is generally pretty good but it's hard to say. Usually we do have the June gloom and every few years it may start early and we call that "May Gray". I don't remember it being too bad for the last few years and most of the time it burns off anyway. If you are coming for strictly being at the beach all day vacation, then it might be a problem but if you are out seeing the sights all day, you'll appreciate that the weather is moderate.

Looking at the weather link, it shows average in the city of San Diego is 68 degrees for your time period. Not what I would call beach weather but nice for sightseeing. We have had an exceptionally warm winter so not sure if that trend will continue until May. I was in Coronado last Sunday and it was in the high 80's. Crazy.

The weather in May is fine for going to the beach. 7-ish and sunny - but if there is any "June gloom" - aka coastal marine layer/fog - it usually burns off before noon - or if it's an unusually "gloomy" day at the beach - head inland to visit the Zoo or Safari Park (Wild Animal Park) which will be warm. :)

The advantage of visiting in May is that it is less crowed than in the summer and there are more deals on lodging, etc.

The weather will be fine in May. Happy Travels.

Thanks for all the info!!

I agree the weather in May is fine and generally the gray isn't a problem. Just wanted to point out that 68 is not the warmest temp for laying on the beach, at least for me. :) For doing anything else, it's perfect.

I've read all the responses to your post. There is obviously some variance of opinion on the likelihood of overcast days in May and June, particularly May, since that is when you are planning your trip.

Here are a couple of links to some apparently factual data in that regard. The first is just a general non-quantitative discussion of the May gray-June gloom phenomenon, and the second gets into numbers. It's easy to conclude that May and June are pretty close when it comes to the probability of an overcast day.

I've been to San Diego many times over the years and I cannot identify any activity or place to visit that you could not do just because it's cloudy, and that includes the beach.


http://www.ourcitysd.com/features/brrrr-1

http://meteora.ucsd.edu/cap/gloom.html

If you plan to lay on the beach as other's have said, it likely won't be warm enough. If you plan to see the sights the weather will be perfect for that...not too hot. If this is strictly a beach visit then wait until July - August for the hottest weather. Enjoy!

Who says lying on the beach in 70 degree weather is not warm enuff? See people doing it all the time.

I still say 68 is too cold to lay on the beach in a skimpy bathing suit. Not a problem for other beach activities and who knows, you could get a real warm spell and it would be perfect. Weather this year has been very strange.

The OP said nothing about the beach, one way or the other.

It's not just a beach visit. We will be visiting family that live in Encinitas as well. If the weather is only in low 70's I will be so happy with that. I'm still dealing with snow and possibly next week freezing rain. I would love to just visit for the experience, I've so many amazing things about San Diego.

The weather as you can tell from most weather reports for May will generally be in the high 60's low 70's. It should be clear sky and sunny.

I think it's generally perfect weather. On occasion there can be an early morning marine layer which burns off mid morning.

<what is the weather typically like?>

In San Diego, it's usually really nice. Hot for SD is in the mid-80s and that's July/August. Cold is what? - needing a sweater?

The weather in May will be fine. June is generally overcast and cool. July iffy - somedays it's too hot, some days overcast. August/Sept/Oct are our summer months. Last year it was way TOO HOT during those months! It was in the 80's and 90's which is outrageous for San Diego!