Water temp. in May (San Diego, Escondido: appointed, to rent, hotel) - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

asitshouldbe · 03-07-2009, 06:33 PM

We are planning a trip to the San Diego area the second week of May. Does anyone know if it will be warm enough to swim then, either in the ocean or a hotel pool? Last year we were in San Diego mid June for 2 weeks and there was heat wave. Is the weather predictable in May or is it warmer some years?

ranzchic · 03-07-2009, 07:21 PM

May Gray, June Gloom as we say it. The water is generally still cold around these parts while it is warmer on land, thus, creating the aforementioned May Gray/June Gloom.

esmith143 · 03-07-2009, 10:15 PM

"warm enough to swim" is subjective. The water is typically in the low 60's. The coast is typically covered with marine layer aka May Gray in the morning, it burns away by 2-3 pm. Heat waves do happen, but normally the air along the coast is under 70.

jeena · 03-08-2009, 07:16 AM

Don't stay anyplace without a heated outdoor pool, you will be disappointed if the weather doesn't cooperate and the water is cold. I was in San Diego from March to June last year, and the only time the water was warm enough for me to go in the ocean was during the heat wave when the air temp. was over 90 degrees. I saw swimmers and surfers with wet suits on to keep warm. San Diego does not have Florida type weather consistently, and there are too many windy days to enjoy the beach properly. I found my self driving into warmer areas inland toward the desert like Pala (Indian casino), Temecula, Escondido, to be in warmer weather, but sometimes it was cold in those areas too. The weather is great for sightseeing and walking (I lost 10 pounds during my visit), but unfortunately the nice beach days are few and far between, at least during the months I was there.

PeterHSd · 03-08-2009, 07:41 PM

As mentioned, the weather is streaky around then... you might get lucky, might not as far as air temp... the water is probably going to be too cold for you in the ocean, unless you get a wet suit (they're really cheap to rent, so it's not a big deal, and I go out in the water in the dead of winter w/ one and it's perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned) if I had to bet on whether the air temp will be nice enough to at least go swimming in a pool though, I'd bet on it... I'd definitely pack your bathing suits anyway

Encinitan · 05-07-2009, 08:29 PM

The water will be about 60 degrees next week. Too chilly to swim without a wetsuit, but warm enough to dip your feet in for a walk on the sand. As for the air temp, who knows. It might be 58 and cloudy or it might be sunny and darn near 80 like it was today. Enjoy your stay regardless of the weather!

Encinitan · 05-07-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeena

Don't stay anyplace without a heated outdoor pool, you will be disappointed if the weather doesn't cooperate and the water is cold. I was in San Diego from March to June last year, and the only time the water was warm enough for me to go in the ocean was during the heat wave when the air temp. was over 90 degrees. I saw swimmers and surfers with wet suits on to keep warm. San Diego does not have Florida type weather consistently, and there are too many windy days to enjoy the beach properly. I found my self driving into warmer areas inland toward the desert like Pala (Indian casino), Temecula, Escondido, to be in warmer weather, but sometimes it was cold in those areas too. The weather is great for sightseeing and walking (I lost 10 pounds during my visit), but unfortunately the nice beach days are few and far between, at least during the months I was there.

In all fairness, you were in town during what is the notoriously gloomy and cloudy time of year (March to June). By July, it's sunny and warm at the beach most of the time. It's not very often that we get knocked for bad weather in San Diego, for sure.

tstieber · 05-10-2009, 11:24 AM

Yeah, May just happens to be the coolest, cloudiest month of the year, so it's a crapshoot. Our version of winter down here is right now (case in point: it's overcast and cool at the moment). By July, it will be great through December!

nmnita · 05-10-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asitshouldbe

We are planning a trip to the San Diego area the second week of May. Does anyone know if it will be warm enough to swim then, either in the ocean or a hotel pool? Last year we were in San Diego mid June for 2 weeks and there was heat wave. Is the weather predictable in May or is it warmer some years?

Depending on what you consider warm enough. Certainly the hotel pools should be fine, the ocean, well? When we were in our teens we did it all the time in April and May, by our 20s we were a little more reluctant and by the time we reached our 30s and older, we left the ocean swimming to the young and daring...

OrangeSunset · 05-10-2009, 04:09 PM

My opinion of warm probably differs from a lot of people. I think of warm when the water temp hits mid 70's. In San Diego the average water temp in the summer is in the 60's, which is always too cold for me. I suggest wearing a wetsuit to be comfortable.