Spring Break swings into San Diego In March
The winter has wrapped up and the spring sunshine is coming in hot. Along with the time change, travelers are making their way out to San Diego for Spring Break. March is a great month to visit San Diego, because it’s not that crowded. The earlier you visit in March, the fewer crowds there will be to contend with for a spot on the beach. Soon you will start to see the springtime flowers and green foliage blossom, and San Diego will spring into action.
What to expect for weather in San Diego in March
The average temperature in San Diego for March is 66 degrees Fahrenheit and the water is still a cool 58 degrees Fahrenheit so plan on still using a wetsuit.
- Average High Temperature: 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius)
- Average Low Temperature: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius)
- Water Temperature: 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius)
- Rain: 1.81 inches (4.6 centimeters)
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Top March Events in San Diego:
CRSSD MUSIC FESTIVAL
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Spring Wild Flowers
Anza Borrego Desert
San Diego County is huge and includes mountains, deserts, and the sea. March in San Diego is the best month to head to the desert to experience the wildflower blooms. In addition to the wildflowers, Anza Borrego has an amazing assortment of metal sculptures coming out of the sand!
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Carlsbad
Open to the public from early March through Mother’s Day, the Carlsbad Flower Fields feature 55 acres of vibrant Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers. These blooms have integrated themselves into local traditions and mark the beginning of Spring here in Southern California. Visitors are only allowed to book tickets online, which you can do here.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
MARCH 16, 2022
Hosting the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade west of the Mississippi, San Diego welcomes floats, bands, clowns, and dancing groups to grace 5th ave on Laurel Street. Rain or shine, the parade begins at 10:30 on March 16th. Balboa Park is also set to host the Irish Festival from 9am to 6pm that same day. Enjoy entertainment, food vendors, crafts, and a beer garden in a free, family friendly environment.
Have fun exploring
San Diego Attractions
San Diego is home to some of the best entertainment attractions in the country. The weather in March in San Diego makes for the perfect climate to head out and have fun. Seaworld offers a marine waterpark and has been building more and more roller coasters to heighten your adrenaline. The San Diego Zoo is our largest attraction and is an awesome way to spend a day and help support the animals. In Downtown, the USS Midway Museum is an awesome experience bringing you on an actual aircraft carrier with fighter jets. If sports are your thing, the San Diego Padres baseball team typically hosts home games.
Go Hiking
All Winter
Torrey Pines State Park or East County Trailheads
The spring is a great time to take on San Diego numerous hiking trails. The cooler conditions and recent rainfall make it the perfect time of year to get outdoors and hike on the nature trails. Some of my favorite hikes in San Diego are Three Sisters Waterfall, Cedar Creek Waterfall, Iron Mountain, and Torrey Pines State Park.
The Torrey Pines Gliderport is the ultimate basecamp on the coast if you are looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure. Choose between hang gliding or paragliding and let your feet dangle over the cliffs!
Explore Local Art at Chicano Park
Barrio Logan
San Diego has an amazing art scene with a heavy Latin influence from our neighbors in Mexico. Barrio Logan is a neighborhood just south of Downtown that captures the culture at its best. You can cruise the streets and take photos of huge murals and wall art by local artists. If you get hungry, stop in a Quatros Milpas for some of San Diego’s best Mexican food.
GRAY WHALE WATCHING
Whales appear in San Diego from December until April, making it the perfect time to experience, disconnect and photograph these enormous creatures. Wildlife photographers will appreciate this beautiful scene of the Pacific Grey wales at La Jolla beach.
It’s nearing the end of the season, but you can still go gray whale watching in San Diego on tours running with enhanced health and safety measures in place.
Need a monthly rental in San Diego?
You may find that your time in beautiful San Diego may be too brief. In that case, subleasing is a great option for those in a search of a monthly rental; Facebook groups like this one are a great place to start, and you might be able to find a more negotiable deal here too. Even sites like Airbnb are good resources to use when house hunting.
Your best options for San Diego monthly car rentals
It’s no secret that navigating San Diego is much easier with a car. Luckily, finding a mode of transportation can be relatively cheap. You can rent a car for around $25 per day on sites like Turo or Kayak. If you plan on staying in the area for a longer period of time, monthly rates go from $375 at Express,
Trolley Tours LOCAL RESIDENTS RIDE FREE
Old Town Trolley Tours are a great way to to see the city. The tour is designed for visitors to hop and hop off wherever they so please. On a nonstop 25 mi loop, riders can get off at any of the 12 stops. So, come and enjoy the many attractions San Diego has to offer with all your friends!
San Diego County residents can take advantage of some of our tours and attractions for FREE when accompanied by a full fare adult paid guest with Hometown Pass!
Go to Hometown Pass for more information.
Weekly Local Events in San Diego:
Tuesdays: Pacific Beach Farmers Market
Wednesdays: Ocean Beach Farmers Market and Drum Circles
Saturdays: Little Italy Farmers Market
Sundays: Hillcrest Farmers Market
Everyday – Locals Ride Free – San Diego Trolley Tours
San Diego is a great destination year-round. Many other extraordinary events are happening and listed on the San Diego Events website.
If you have any questions about other events happening in San Diego, please contact our receptionist at any of our local hostels.
Can You Go to the Beach in March?
You will see more people on the beaches in San Diego in March (especially later in the month) than in February. People will actually be enjoying the ocean.
Spring break for some schools starts in mid-March, so this is part of the reason. Tourists are in the water swimming, taking surfing lessons, kayaking the La Jolla sea caves, and enjoying beach weather. Locals are beginning to join them, too.
Once the time changes and the days are longer, I really enjoy going to the beach in the late afternoons. It’s a nice way for the kids to unwind after school and to watch the sunset. Bring a picnic or a pizza. Highly recommend.
What to Wear in San Diego in March
Your San Diego packing list for March includes sweaters, long-sleeved T-shirts, jeans, and jackets among other things.
Here’s what to put in your suitcase:
- Face coverings — required everywhere you’re not 6′ away from someone and in many attractions no matter the distance between you and other guests
- Medium weight jacket for the afternoons and evenings (I wear a Patagonia or Lululemon puffer jacket)
- Athleisure (a San Diego wardrobe staple)
- Hiking shoes for trails
- Portable umbrella (optional)
- Bathing suit and warmer cover-up
- Rashguard or UV shirt for sun protection and warmth
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat for sun protection
- Flip flops for the beach and pool
- Shorts for beachgoing
- T-Shirts (mix of long- and short-sleeved)
- Pants or jeans
- Sweaters or sweatshirts
- Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing
- Casual wool/warm dress or collared shirt, sweater, and nice jeans (if you plan to dine in one of our nicer restaurants )
- Sweaters and sweatshirts
- Wetsuit (you can rent one)
Even though I said it may rain here in March, you don’t need to pack a raincoat. Many San Diegans don’t even own them.
March Travel Tips
- Daylight Saving Time takes place in mid-March. On this day, many local attractions change their hours to accommodate the time change and the longer evenings.
- Due to spring break, hotel occupancy is high in March. Reserve your lodging months prior to travel to avoid sellout and high rates, but make sure you won’t be penalized for canceling
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