San Diego Weather in March 2026

March in San Diego feels like the tail end of a mild wet season stretching into a slow bloom. Daytime highs sit at 18.9C (66F) with overnight lows of 10.9C (52F), rainfall totals 55mm across roughly 7.6 wet days, and the sun logs about 10.3 hours daily. Anza-Borrego's superbloom peaks late in the month if winter rains cooperated, and gray whales are still passing Point Loma on their northbound leg with calves in tow.

On the ground the marine layer holds through most mornings and burns off by noon, so beach walks at Torrey Pines and Sunset Cliffs start cool and finish warm. The San Diego River still runs muddy from February atmospheric rivers that dump inches overnight, and the trolley tracks near Fashion Valley can flood for days when the current storm cycle hits. La Jolla harbor seals are mid-pupping season and the Children's Pool stays closed to swimmers. Padres exhibition games fill Petco Park's peripheral hotels, and taco shops in Barrio Logan run whale-watching charter packages on weekends.

Ten-year climate records show March highs climbing about 0.6C since the mid-2010s, with rainfall variance widening — some years deliver 120mm, others under 10mm. The 2026 outlook leans neutral ENSO with typical late-season storms possible through the third week, then a dry patch heading into April. Ocean temperature holds around 15C, cool for surfing without a full wetsuit.

For 2026 travelers, March hits a shoulder-season sweet zone before spring break crowds arrive Easter week. Book Anza-Borrego lodging early if the bloom forecast turns favorable — Borrego Springs rooms sell out within days of the wildflower alerts going live. Whale watch operators in Point Loma still run daily trips through late March 2026, and rates drop about 20% versus February peak migration pricing.