Things to do in San Diego in May

Temperature: 59-70°F • Average Rainfall: 3 days/month • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day

Ask any San Diegan about the city’s May weather and they will apologetically inform you about ‘May Gray’, the meteorological phenomenon that has been known to bring dense fog and overcast skies to the coastline during this otherwise pleasant month. A perfect storm of warm air meeting cold sea, this ‘marine layer’ usually hangs around in the morning before burning off by the afternoon, and tends to sit over the coast, rather than inland and desert areas, which have their own microclimates. It’s important to note, however, that sometimes the May Gray doesn’t show up at all, especially during El Niño years when ocean temperatures are higher.

San Diego’s microclimates (coastal, inland, mountain and desert since you’re asking) mean that – whatever time of year you’re visiting – layers are your friends. But perhaps especially during May Gray (and June Gloom) when temperatures can vary from cool and cloudy to hot and sunny in the blink of an eye. Believe us when we say you’ll be grateful you packed that cardigan, light jacket and rain poncho along with your board shorts and sundresses.

School’s already out for summer by late May, which means rising SoCal temperatures are matched by increasing hotel prices. For that reason, you’ll find most of the May accommodation bargains earlier in the month but, in either case, we’d recommend booking as soon as you possibly can as May hotel prices can rise suddenly and dramatically from one day to the next.

Want to save even more money? Of course you do! Bag a Go City San Diego pass to save up to 50% on entry to San Diego Museum of Art, the zoo and safari park, SeaWorld San Diego and all manner of other city tours, activities and attractions. Click the buttons below to find out more and choose your pass!

Don’t let overcast skies put you off getting out and about in San Diego. Indeed, the cooler temperatures brought by the May Gray can count in your favor, providing less oppressive conditions for strolling the atmospheric streets of the Gaslamp Quarter, admiring the architecture and (many) attractions of Balboa Park, or exploring the street art and microbreweries in North Park. Fancy taking in some culture? There are several museums and galleries in Gaslamp and Balboa in particular, such as the superb San Diego Museum of Art with its impressive collection of Spanish old masters, the historic Gaslamp Museum, and the awesome USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. Entry to all of these attractions (and more!) is included with a San Diego pass from Go City.

Even non-Spanish-speakers can probably surmise that Cinco de Mayo celebrations tend to take place on… 5 May. This annual celebration of Mexican culture and heritage marks the 1862 victory of Mexican forces over French invaders at Puebla, and brings music, dance and margaritas to a number of locations and restaurants across town. But if you want a truly authentic taste of Mexico, make for San Diego Old Town – aka the birthplace of California – where you can expect artisan markets, traditional mariachi music and folkloric dance, and some of the best tacos and tequila in town. Olé!

Going out for a jog doesn’t get much more picturesque than in San Diego, where the Pacific Beach boardwalk, Mission Bay loop and Balboa Park will have even the most dedicated PB-beater stopping for scenic selfies every couple hundred yards. May's annual La Jolla Half Marathon is no exception, following an impossibly beautiful coastal route that includes a challenging-but-rewarding climb to the top of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve before descending to the sun-kissed splendor of La Jolla Shores and Cove. You can also opt to join the final (and mostly downhill) 5k section of the course, a far less punishing option for novice runners to enjoy.

Meanwhile, the annual Navy Bay Bridge Walk/Run event sees participants departing from downtown for Tidelands Park via the Coronado Bridge, complete with sweeping views of the bay, Point Loma and Coronado Island itself. Magical.

Festival season is well underway by May in San Diego, with a glut of fun food, music and arts events popping up like whack-a-moles across the city. SeaWorld’s Viva La Música celebrates Latin culture every weekend through June with a spicy mix of music, food, and children’s activities. Get ready to eat your own body weight in empanadas then work it all off with a tango or salsa. There’s also live music from big-name acts at the Bayside Amphitheater.

Over at the Embarcadero, the charmingly named three-day Wonderfront festival includes yacht parties, art installations, a craft-beer village, and more. Don’t forget to stop for a selfie (or a snog) at the iconic Unconditional Surrender sculpture (pictured)  just by the USS Midway Museum.

Gator by the Bay keeps it waterside with a huge Louisiana-themed festival on stunning San Diego Bay. Surrender to the spirit of Mardi Gras with four days of live music and mouth-watering Creole and Cajun food.

Last but by no means least, the San Diego International Fringe Festival brings cutting-edge comedy, cabaret, theater and improv to dozens of venues across town through May, including the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre in Balboa Park and Wildsong Theatre in Ocean Beach.

If you know anything about San Diego, you’ll know there are no shortage of beaches at which to surf, swim, snorkel, snooze, seal-spot and stuff your face with s’mores. By May, San Diegans will have started returning to the sands. What better time to enjoy those wide sandy bays and picture-perfect sheltered coves, before the summer tourist hordes have arrived? Hit up La Jolla for some of the San Diego coast’s best marine life, including a whole colony of super-cute harbor seals, ride the surf below Sunset Cliffs, take sunset selfies against blazing red and purple skies at Ocean Beach Pier, and keep your eyes peeled for the famous ‘Sandcastle Man’ on Coronado. But, whatever you do, be sure to indulge in that most essential of San Diego beach activities: the sundown BBQ s’more, a chocolatey, gooey, crunchy piece of SoCal heaven. Yum.