San Diego events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, San Diego Zoo, plus Coronado and Hotel del Coronado. December in San Diego averages 19°C / 67°F highs, 9°C / 49°F nights, and about 6 rainy days.
Expect 19°C/67°F days and about 6 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve★ 4.8 · 15.5k reviewsThe reserve protects rare Torrey pines, sandstone cliffs, coastal trails, and Pacific views north of La Jolla.
- San Diego Zoo★ 4.7 · 66.0k reviewsThe zoo began after the 1915 exposition and opened in Balboa Park in 1916, growing into one of the world's best-known zoological institutions.
- Babe Haven with SpacedDec 2Voodoo Room at the House of Blues - San Diego · Source: SeatGeek
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
San Diego in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
67°F / 49°F
19.4°C / 9.2°C
RainPrecipitation
6d
1.6in · 40mm
LightDaylight
9.8h
Sea
63.3°F
17.4°C
December is mild but can be rainy, so pair waterfront time with indoor ship and park museums.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
San Diego Zoo Jungle Bells
A month-long holiday event at the San Diego Zoo with festive lights, themed animal exhibits, and seasonal entertainment.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 31
San Diego Botanic Garden Garden of Lights
A dazzling holiday light display throughout the San Diego Botanic Garden with themed areas and seasonal activities.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 2
Show all 39 events for December
- Dec 2
Formidable! Aznavour - A Spectacular Musical Celebration Of Charles Az
Music · Chanson Francaise.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Dec 3
Mariachi Sol de Mexico: Mariachi Sol De Mexico Presents: Jose Hernandez Merry-Achi Christmas!
concert.
Source: SeatGeek
- Dec 3
- Dec 3
- Dec 4
- Dec 4 – Dec 5
- Dec 4
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox - The Future Is Vintage World Tour
Music · Jazz.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Dec 5 – Dec 31
Old Town San Diego Holiday in the Park
Holiday-themed events and decorations in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, including live music, traditional crafts, and festive food.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 7
- Dec 7
- Dec 10
- Dec 10
- Dec 11 – Dec 12
December Nights at Balboa Park
A two-day holiday festival in Balboa Park featuring music, dance, food, and cultural performances celebrating the season.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 11
- Dec 12 – Dec 20
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
An annual holiday boat parade featuring decorated vessels sailing around San Diego Bay, celebrating the festive season with lights and music.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
La Jolla Christmas Parade
Annual community parade in La Jolla featuring floats, marching bands, and holiday characters celebrating the season.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 13
- Dec 14
- Dec 15
- Dec 15
- Dec 17 – Dec 23
- Dec 17
- Dec 18 – Dec 19
- Dec 18
- Dec 19
- Dec 19
- Dec 20
- Dec 20
- Dec 22
- Dec 23
- Dec 26
- Dec 29
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About San Diego
City overview
San Diego is the Southern California border city where San Diego Bay, Balboa Park mesas, Pacific beaches, and the Tijuana crossing make a compact but varied visitor map. Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, La Jolla, Coronado, Old Town, North Park, and Little Italy cover the range from museums and tacos to surf breaks and harbor walks.
Food & drink
San Diego food is coastal and border-influenced: fish tacos fold fried or grilled fish into tortillas with cabbage and sauce, California burritos add fries to carne asada, carne asada fries pile steak and toppings over fries, and ceviche and uni show the seafood side. Little Italy Mercato, Liberty Public Market, Convoy District, Barrio Logan, North Park breweries, and La Jolla seafood spots add craft beer, wood-fired pizza, and Baja-style counters.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Coronado and Hotel del Coronado
- 2La Jolla Cove and Sea Caves
- 3Balboa Park
- 4USS Midway Museum
- 5Cabrillo National Monument and Old Point Loma Lighthouse
- 6Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- 7Maritime Museum of San Diego
- 8Gaslamp Quarter
1Coronado and Hotel del Coronado
4.5★ · 20,842outdoorThe Hotel del Coronado opened in 1888 as a wooden seaside resort and still anchors Coronado Beach. The bridge, ferry landing, Orange Avenue, and broad sand make Coronado one of the easiest bay-and-beach days.
2La Jolla Cove and Sea Caves
4.3★ · 85outdoorLa Jolla Cove is a small protected cove known for sea lions, clear water, kayaking, snorkeling, and cliff walks. Cave tours and Coast Boulevard viewpoints sit near the village shops and restaurants.
3Balboa Park
4.8★ · 78,703mixedOpen dailyThe city set aside the parkland in 1868 and the 1915 Panama-California Exposition gave it Spanish Colonial Revival buildings, gardens, plazas, and museum corridors. It sits just north of Downtown and holds the zoo, theaters, gardens, and major museums.
Show 3 more sights
- 4USS Midway Museum
- 5Cabrillo National Monument and Old Point Loma Lighthouse
- 6Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Neighborhoods
1Gaslamp and Downtown waterfront
Downtown is event-heavy and walkable, with Gaslamp bars, Petco Park, convention crowds, Seaport Village, USS Midway, ferries, and harbor hotels.
2Balboa Park, Hillcrest, and Bankers Hill
This central ridge is museum-rich and leafy, with Balboa Park, the zoo, gardens, canyon bridges, Hillcrest restaurants, and historic houses.
3La Jolla
La Jolla is coastal and upscale, with the Cove, sea caves, beaches, galleries, UC San Diego nearby, cliff walks, and sunset restaurants.
Day trips
25km / 35-60min by Blue Line trolley and San Ysidro border crossing from Downtown San Diego
Tijuana
The border city adds Avenida Revolucion, food halls, craft beer, galleries, and a very different urban day; allow time for the northbound crossing.
140km / 2h by car from Downtown San Diego
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Badlands, palm canyons, desert wildflowers in season, metal sculptures near Borrego Springs, and dark skies make this the inland contrast.
100km / 1.25-1.5h by car from San Diego
Julian
The mountain town is known for apple pie, gold-rush history, cooler air, and access to Cuyamaca trails.
Getting around
MTS buses, the Trolley, COASTER trains, ferries, and PRONTO cards cover core routes, with the Blue Line especially useful for Old Town, UC San Diego, and San Ysidro. A car is still fastest for La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Coronado loops, beach hopping, and desert day trips.
Planning a San Diego trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about San Diego in December
- What to pack for San Diego in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic San Diego checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 19°C / 67°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 9°C / 49°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 6 days.
- How many days do you need in San Diego
- 4 days covers the main San Diego highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is San Diego worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in San Diego averages 19°C / 67°F highs, 9°C / 49°F nights, and about 6 rainy days.
Ready to plan San Diego?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day San Diego plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.