Last Updated on August 4, 2025 by Tami
Winter in San Diego is quite nice! In fact, residents of San Diego often say “There are only two seasons in San Diego: Summer and Spring.” If you happen to live where winter is icy and cold, you might really enjoy visiting San Diego during the winter months. I know this is true because I lived in San Diego for 35 years, then moved to Utah. Here’s a picture of Utah County in the winter…
Now you might understand why my husband and I have planned a “snowbird” trip to San Diego every winter! For contrast, here’s San Diego in the “winter”…
While I love the mountains in Utah, I have yet to fall in love with the cold temperatures during the winter months. Let me share with you just what you might enjoy during the winter in San Diego!
A Seven-Day ‘Winter in San Diego’ Itinerary
There’s plenty to do and see in San Diego, regardless of the time of year. But I’m going to focus on seven days of activities you might especially enjoy if you’ve just left frigid temperatures! I suggest focusing on visiting several beaches, gardens, parks, and of course viewing some gorgeous sunsets. I’ve included suggested activities as well as recommendations for restaurants. Just keep reading for a week’s worth of sightseeing you can easily customize to your own interests.
This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.
Day One in San Diego – Torrey Pines
Depending on how you arrive in San Diego, you mostly likely won’t have the entire day to explore. We drove in just in time to head to the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset before joining friends for dinner.
- Beach visit: Torrey Pines Beach. Park in paid parking lot close to the beach for $12 or be patient and snag a parking spot along the beach for free. Plenty of beach to stroll unless the tide is in!
- Head south to Torrey Pines Glider Port to watch the hang gliders and para gliders take off from the cliffs along the beach. If you’re adventurous, you can even take lessons!
- Restaurant recommendation: For an inexpensive meal, enjoy Mexican fare at Roberto’s. Sit outside and enjoy views of the lagoon across the street or picnic at the beach.
Day Two in San Diego – La Jolla
Beach Visits:
- Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Here you can often see sea lions basking on the beach. There’s a walkway you can stand on as the waves come crashing in – watch out, you may get wet! This is also a great place to watch the setting sun — or you can venture further south to explore the La Jolla tide pools.
- La Jolla Shores Beach is a great place to hang out with the family. With grassy lawns, a parklike setting, and a playground with restrooms, there’s something for everyone at this beach. Stroll north on the beach to see the Scipps Pier. More than just viewing the pier (which is not open to the public), you get to see all the other people who come to the pier for photo sessions!
More La Jolla attractions:
- Museum of Contemporary Art — fascinating art installations and incredible views of the beach below. Free on the third Thursday and second Sunday each month.
- Time for a treat: Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla for the best artisan gelato — or authentic French macarons at Le Macaron.
- Browse downtown La Jolla and enjoy lots of art galleries and designer stores. Don’t miss Warwick’s, the country’s oldest family-owned and operated bookstore.
Day Three of ‘Winter in San Diego’ – Del Mar
- Beach Visits: Del Mar Beach is a beautiful clean beach. Parking is at paid meters or further out in neighborhoods, if you want free spots. If you want easy beach views, drive to the end of 4th St, find a neighborhood parking spot, and walk along a path atop the seaside cliffs called the Sea Cliff Coastal Bluff Trail.
- Visit Freeflight, an exotic bird sanctuary, where you can get up close and personal with some gorgeous birds!
- If you enjoy cheese tasting, you’ll love a visit to Venissimo Cheese in Del Mar.
- Restaurant Recommendations: Poseidon’s or Jake’s Del Mar are wonderful restaurants with beachside views. Another favorite is Sibicca on 15th Ave.
- For more Del Mar activities, see ‘Dine & Do in Del Mar‘.
Day Four in San Diego – Downtown Waterfront
- Beach Visit: San Diego Waterfront — not exactly a beach location, but you won’t want to miss seeing all the sights and activity along this stretch of the San Diego harbor.
- The Star of India and Maritime Museum – Children especially love exploring the restored ships at the Maritime Museum, but adults will also enjoy learning about the history of these beautiful ships.
- Portside Pier – viewpoint and several restaurants built right over the water in the center of town
- Tuna Harbor Park – Here you will see the Kissing Sailor statue, the bronze statues of Bob Hope and the soldiers he’s entertaining, all with the USS Midway aircraft carrier in the background.
- USS Midway – This is a must-see while you are in San Diego. In fact, it is rated the #1 tourist attraction in the city, for good reason. Explore the aircraft carrier, watch educational movies, and thrill at the topside views of aircraft and the city skyline.
- Seaport Village – a fun assortment of shops and eateries along the water, with striking views of the Coronado Bridge.
- Restaurant Recommendations: Ketch Grill at Portside Pier for reasonably priced entrees or gelato, The Fish Market in Tuna Harbor Park for the freshest seafood, or Garibaldi rooftop restaurant for limited hours on weekends.
- After dinner, if you’re feeling adventurous, take in a San Diego ghost tour.
Day Five in San Diego – Encinitas
- Beach Visit: Moonlight Beach is one of the cleanest and easiest for parking in San Diego. With a playground, volleyball and tennis courts, snack bar, and equipment rentals, there’s something for everyone!
- Dave’s Rock Garden – visit the rock garden close to Moonlight Beach on the corner of B Street and 2nd Street. Hundreds of painted rocks along a winding path and an invitation to add one of your own!
- Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens – Beautifully landscaped gardens with koi ponds, benches, hidden enclaves and fantastic views of the ocean below. Free to visit.
- San Diego Botanic Garden – 37 acres of meandering trails, a waterfall, bamboo forest, views of the ocean, themed gardens and a tropical greenhouse make it easy to spend several hours taking in all the beauty.
- Time for a treat: Calicream for delicious homemade ice cream in LOTS of flavors!
- Restaurant recommendation: Head to Leucadia Pizza, where you can people watch and eat the best pizzas and pasta entrees. Only a few blocks from Moonlight Beach, too.
Day Six in San Diego – Point Loma
- Beach visit: The tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument are fun to visit. At low tide, there are lots of opportunities to find anemone, sea slugs, tiny fish, and more. At high tide, watch the waves slam into the rocks up and down the coastline and send sea sprays high into the air!
- Cabrillo National Monument– Visit the historic lighthouse and learn about being a lighthouse keeper in the 19th century. View movies and an exhibit about Cabrillo and his explorations — or walk along a paved path that takes you to whale-watching viewpoints. Admission includes access to the tide pools.
- Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery – Yes, it’s a cemetery, but in one of the most beautiful spots in San Diego. Enjoy a peaceful view of the ocean amidst perfect rows of white headstones.
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park – Head here to see what San Diego’s coastline once looked like when there was no development – wild and sculpted by the waves and the wind.
- Restaurant recommendation: Mitch’s Seafood in America’s Cup Harbor with fresh seafood entrees and outdoor dining. This is a favorite of mine because it’s so interesting watching the fishing boats come in while you eat. Another great place to get lunch or dinner is the
Day Seven in San Diego – Carlsbad/Oceanside
- Beach Visits: Carlsbad State Beach and Oceanside Pier
- Beach cottage from ‘Top Gun’ — You’ll find this cottage from the Top Gun movie in the midst of the Mission Pacific Beach Resort by Marriott.
- Oceanside activities: riding the Amtrak Coaster train to downtown San Diego, visiting the California Surf Museum (definitely worth a visit!), or the Oceanside Museum of Art.
- Restaurant recommendation: Sounds of the Sea – we just discovered this listening bar with Mediterannean tapas and artisan sodas on the menu. It’s an unmatched audio experience, and the food is good too!
Winter in San Diego is a pure delight!
This seven-day itinerary of things to see and do in San Diego is really just the tip of the iceberg. You can certainly enjoy adding other major attractions to your list, like the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, or the San Diego Safari Park. Balboa Park is another must-see if you have the time. If you’re visiting from a much cooler environment, you’re going to love how comfortable winter weather is in San Diego. The average daytime temperature is 66 degrees F. On most days, you’ll be comfortable in short sleeves, or at the most a light windbreaker. You probably won’t want to go swimming in the ocean, but you will love strolling on the uncrowded beaches. Winter in San Diego is pretty amazing! I hope you can visit soon.
I love this! Such a great reminder of all the fun we had on many winter trips down to San Diego for the holidays. 🙂
Our San Diego snowbird trip was relaxing & rejuvenating!