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Home » San Diego Attractions » San Diego in January: Weather & Events Schedule

San Diego in January: Weather & Events Schedule

January 2, 2021 By: Maria Haase This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy through our links.

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San Diego in January is great. The hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season is over and prices lower than any other time of the year. The San Diego weather in January is not the best compared to the rest of the year, but still pleasant. But unpleasant weather is relative when it comes to San Diego. There is still plenty of sunshine to go around here in Southern California.

There are also lots of fun things to do in San Diego in January, including New Years Day brunches, participate in the Polar Plunge (if you dare), join the Martin Luther King Jr Parade, indulge in Restaurant Week, and it is by far the best time to go whale watching in San Diego. And if you want to see snow in San Diego, this is your best bet to experience it up in the mountains surrounding San Diego.

Happ New Year written in the sand, decorated with starfish - New Years Eve San Diego
Happy New Year! San Diego in January

San Diego in January: Weather

Like I mentioned before, the weather in January in San Diego is not that great, but with an average high temperature of 66 F during the day, 50 F low during the night, and 6.7 average days of rain, “bad weather” is relative when it comes to San Diego.

The average day in San Diego still gets 7.7 hours of sunshine in January, despite it being the wettest month of the year. You can enjoy a total of 10.3 daylight hours, enough to explore the beautiful city.

A surfer walks on Ocean Beach near the pier in San Diego, California.
Ocean Beach Pier

Water temperatures in San Diego in January average 59.4 F, so it is too cold (for most people anyway) to go swimming.

Take a look at the average temperatures and rainfall for San Diego for the whole year:

Average Rainfall & Temperatures in San Diego

San Diego Weather Average temperature graph
Average monthly Rainfall in San Diego

So what should you wear in January in San Diego?

On most days, you should be fine with long pants and a thin sweater and a (rain) jacket for the evenings. While it is mostly sunny, plan to bring a rain jacket of some sort or research some indoor activities for your itinerary in case it rains.

View of San Diego Skyline during sunset with wood pier
Coronado Island San Diego Bay

Things to do in San Diego in January

Check out this list of events in San Diego in January. There is a lot of fun stuff to do and cool January events that will start the new year off with a bang. Whether you are visiting from out of town or are a local San Diegan, make sure to add some of these highlights to your calendar.

Keep in mind that with current health guidelines and restrictions, that there may be changes to schedules and openings. Your best bet is always checking each of these websites for the most recent updated information. 

New Years Day Brunch

When: January 1, 2021

Brunch is always a good idea and what better way is there to start into the new year than a brunch with friends? San Diegans love their brunch and has endless options. Take a look here:

New Years Day Brunch Cruise: Both Hornblower and Flagship offer New Years Day Brunch Cruises and they are a fun way to start the new year in style.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, check out our recommendations for the best brunch spots in San Diego and the best brunch in La Jolla.

View of San Diego Skyline from Flagship Cruise San Diego ship
Flagship Cruise San Diego

La Jolla Polar Bear Plunge

When: January 1, 2021 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: La Jolla Shores, Kellogg Park

If you want to start the new year with something crazy, you could join the La Jolla Polar Bear Plunge. Join several hundred people who brave the cold water and jump into the Pacific Ocean at La Jolla Shores. What a way to sober up.

San Diego Resolution Run

When: 2021 yet to be announced
Website

A perfect way to strengthen your New Years resolution. Join the 5k, 10k, or Half Marathon and enjoy this beautiful running route along the San Diego Waterfront.

group of runners running along the waterfront
San Diego in January-Resolution Run

San Diego Brew Fest

When: January 9, 2021 12 PM – 4 PM
Where: Liberty Station
Website

Currently postponed

SoundON Festival of Modern Music

When: January 7-10, 2021
Where: Online

The San Diego SoundON festival features up and coming local composers and masters of Modern Music side by side. The 2021 event will be conducted online.

Poway Winter Festival

When: 2021 has been canceled
Where: Poway Community Park

Martin Luther King Jr Parade

When: January 19, 2021 (dates not yet confirmed)
Where: San Diego Waterfront

This annual event honors Martin Luther King Jr with a beautiful parade along the San Diego Waterfront. The parade is organized by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity of which Martin Luther King was also a member.

Whale Watching

January is one of the best times to go whale watching in San Diego and it is peak season for grey whales to pass by on their way to Mexico. Read our guide on the best whale watching tours here>>

Tail of a humpback whale breaching out of the water
Humpback Whale

Restaurant Week San Diego

When: January 17-24, 2021
Where: 180+ restaurants in San Diego
Website

UPDATE: San Diego Restaurant week has been postponed and will now be held April 11-18, 2021!

After a year of shutdowns and restaurant closures, this is a great way to support your favorite local eateries and try out some fun new places.

Farmers Insurance Open

When: January 28-31, 2021
Where: Torrey Pines Golf Course
Website

While the tournament will still take place, the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open will not allow spectators on the course.

San Diego International Auto Show

When: December 30, 2021 – January 2, 2022 (2021 event is canceled!)

San Diego California in January was written by Maria Haase for San Diego Explorer.

San Diego in January: Weather, Events & Things to Do – Pin for Later

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Last Updated on January 2, 2021 by Maria Haase

Filed Under: San Diego Attractions Tagged With: San Diego Attractions, San Diego Events Schedule, San Diego for Locals, Winter

About Maria Haase

Maria Haase has been a travel writer since 2007, stumbling into this profession during an internship in China. She grew up in Germany, but has lived in San Diego since 2006. Maria is a globetrotter, but also adores to explore her own back yard whenever she is home. She loves to share her favorite spots, help visitors plan their trips and share helpful tips about her chosen hometown San Diego.

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Comments

  1. Jacob Diaz

    February 12, 2021 at 5:14 am

    Beautiful San Diego, California. I gotta leave Houston,Texas and go to San Diego California after this remarkable informative report. San Diego here i come.

    Reply

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