You’ve probably seen the postcards. Perfection. That’s what everyone expects from Southern California, but honestly, San Diego weather November is a bit of a local secret that most tourists completely overlook because they’re too busy worrying about the holidays or heading to the mountains for snow.
It’s weirdly pleasant.
While the rest of the country is digging out shovels and layering up in wool, we’re usually sitting on a patio in North Park or Little Italy, maybe wearing a light hoodie at most. But it’s not just "sunny." There’s a specific crispness to the air that you don't get in July. The light changes, too. It gets gold and heavy, making the sunsets over Sunset Cliffs look almost fake. If you’re planning a trip, or if you just moved here and are wondering when the "real" winter starts, you need to understand that November isn't a transition into cold—it's a transition into the most comfortable version of the coast.
What the Numbers Actually Say (And Why They Lie)
If you look at a climate chart from the National Weather Service, you'll see an average high of about 69°F and a low of 54°F. That sounds fine, right? But averages are kind of a scam in San Diego.
On a "normal" November day, you can easily hit 75°F by 1:00 PM. Then the sun dips behind the Pacific, and the temperature craters. You'll feel that 15-degree drop in about twenty minutes. It catches people off guard every single year. You see them at the Gaslamp Quarter in shorts and flip-flops at 8:00 PM, shivering because they trusted the daytime sun. Don't be that person.
The water temperature is where things get interesting. According to data from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Pacific is usually hovering around 62°F to 64°F this time of year. It’s cooling down from the summer peaks, but it’s actually warmer than the air in the early morning. Surfers love this. The swells start picking up, particularly those long-period winter swells from the North Pacific, hitting spots like Black’s Beach or Windansea. If you're going in the water, you're definitely going to want a 3/2mm wetsuit. Don't try to be a hero in trunks; you won't last ten minutes.
The Santa Ana Winds: The Wildcard
Every once in a while, the San Diego weather November vibe gets flipped on its head by a Santa Ana event. This isn't your standard sea breeze. Instead of air coming off the cool ocean, high pressure over the Great Basin pushes hot, bone-dry air from the deserts out toward the coast.
It’s intense.
Suddenly, it’s 85 degrees in mid-November. The humidity drops to single digits. Your skin feels like parchment paper, and the fire danger skyrockets. Locals get a little "edgy" during Santa Anas—it’s a known phenomenon called "earthquake weather," though there’s no actual scientific link between the wind and seismic activity. It just feels... tense. These winds also blow the smoke from any regional fires toward the coast, which can occasionally ruin the air quality. But on the flip side, a Santa Ana clears out all the haze, giving you the clearest views of the year. You can stand on top of Mount Soledad and see all the way to the Coronado Islands in Mexico with startling clarity.
Rain? Maybe.
Statistically, November is the start of our "wet" season, but keep in mind that "wet" in San Diego is a relative term. We’re talking maybe an inch or two of rain for the whole month. It usually comes in one or two quick storms rather than a week of drizzle.
When it does rain, the city loses its mind. Traffic on the I-5 or the 805 becomes a nightmare because the oil on the roads hasn't been washed away in months, making things slicker than ice. If the forecast calls for rain during your visit, honestly, just stay off the roads for the first hour of the storm. Grab a coffee at a Bird Rock Roasters and wait it out.
Why the "May Gray" Hangover Matters
A lot of people visit in the summer and get disappointed by "June Gloom"—that thick marine layer that keeps the coast grey until 2:00 PM. In November, that’s mostly gone. You get blue skies from sunrise to sunset.
This is actually the best time for photography. The sun is lower in the southern sky, which means you don't get those harsh, overhead shadows that ruin midday photos in August. Whether you're hitting the San Diego Zoo or wandering through the botanical building in Balboa Park, the light is just... better. It’s softer.
Microclimates: The 10-Mile Rule
San Diego weather November is highly dependent on exactly where you are standing. This is a city of microclimates.
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- The Coast (La Jolla, Mission Beach, Del Mar): Most stable temperatures. Rarely gets too hot, rarely gets too cold.
- Inland Valleys (Escondido, El Cajon, Poway): These areas are much more extreme. It might be 80 degrees in El Cajon while it's 68 in La Jolla. At night, these valleys trap cold air, and you might actually see frost on the grass, which never happens at the beach.
- The Mountains (Julian): If you drive an hour east, you’re in a different world. November in Julian feels like "real" autumn. The leaves actually change color—mostly the black oaks—and it can get genuinely cold.
If you’re staying downtown but planning to hike in Mission Trails Regional Park, check the forecast for the specific zip code. Don't just look at "San Diego" on your iPhone app; that usually pulls from the airport, which is right on the water and doesn't represent the heat you'll feel five miles inland.
What to Wear (The Local Uniform)
You’ll see a very specific look in San Diego during November. It’s the "Layered Californian."
Basically, you start with a t-shirt or a light dress. You add a flannel or a denim jacket. You might have a beanie in your bag for later. Since the humidity is low, the shade feels 10 degrees cooler than the sun. You’ll be constantly taking your jacket on and off as you move between the sunny side of the street and the shady side.
Footwear is a toss-up. You'll see UGG boots and flip-flops on the same sidewalk. It’s a lawless land. But for a visitor, comfortable walking shoes are better than sandals, mostly because the pavement cools down fast once the sun sets.
The Crowds (Or Lack Thereof)
Outside of the Thanksgiving weekend, November is quiet. The summer families are gone. The "Zonies" (tourists from Arizona) have headed home. You can actually get a table at the popular spots in Convoy for ramen without a two-hour wait.
The hotel rates usually drop, too. If you’re looking at a place in Coronado or overlooking the cove in La Jolla, you’ll find some of the best deals of the year before the December holiday rush kicks in. It’s the sweet spot.
Realities of the Season
It’s not all perfect. The days are short. By 4:45 PM, the sun is starting to dip, and by 5:15 PM, it’s dark. This changes the rhythm of the city. Happy hours start earlier, and the beach bonfires at Fiesta Island start glowing long before dinner time.
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Also, keep an eye on the "King Tides." Occasionally in November, we get exceptionally high tides that can cause minor flooding in low-lying spots like Imperial Beach or parts of La Jolla Shores. It’s cool to watch from a safe distance, but don't park your car in a spot that looks like it's below sea level if there’s a high tide warning.
Actionable Advice for Your November Trip
If you're coming to experience San Diego weather November for yourself, here is how you should actually play it.
- Book outdoor dining for lunch, not dinner. You want to soak up that 72-degree midday sun. Dinner is great, but you’ll be sitting under a heat lamp, which kind of defeats the purpose of being in Southern California.
- Hike early. Trails like Potato Chip Rock or Cowles Mountain are brutal in the summer heat. In November, they are perfect. Start at 8:00 AM, and you’ll have a cool, breeze-filled trek.
- Visit Balboa Park on a Tuesday. It’s less crowded, and the November light hitting the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is a dream for your Instagram feed.
- Pack a "real" jacket. Not a parka, but something wind-resistant. If you take a harbor cruise or go whale watching (the gray whale migration starts late in the month/early December), that ocean breeze is biting.
- Check the desert. If you have a rental car, November is the start of prime season for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It’s finally cool enough to hike the slot canyons without risking heatstroke. It’s a two-hour drive that takes you from the ocean to the pines to the cacti.
San Diego in November is basically a mood. It’s relaxed, it’s clear, and it’s arguably the most "honest" weather the city has. You aren't fighting the heat, and you aren't hiding from the rain. You're just living in that perfect middle ground.
Essential Packing List
- Polarized sunglasses: The autumn sun angle can be blinding while driving.
- Sunscreen: You’ll still burn in 70-degree weather; the UV index stays surprisingly high.
- Lip balm: Those dry Santa Ana winds will wreck your lips in 24 hours.
- Versatile layers: Think light sweaters, hoodies, or a "shacket."
- A reusable water bottle: Staying hydrated is key when the humidity drops.
Don't overthink it. Just get here, find a spot with a view of the water, and enjoy the fact that you aren't wearing a heavy coat. That's the real San Diego experience.