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San Diego in November: Weather, crowds and things to do

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San Diego in fall: How November compares

CategoryOctoberNovemberDecember

Weather

16–24°C (61–75°F), dry, warm afternoons

13–21°C (55–70°F), cooler nights, occasional early rain

10–19°C (50–66°F), cooler, more unsettled

Crowds

Moderate, helped by Kids Free San Diego and Halloween events

Low to moderate, except Thanksgiving week

Moderate, rising for holiday lights and year-end travel

Atmosphere

Beachy by day, Halloween-heavy by night

Relaxed, local, food-event focused

Holiday lights, winter events, earlier nights

Key events

Film festival, Halloween, Fleet Week spillover, beach festivals

Beer Week, Asian Film Festival, Veterans Day Parade, Bay Wine + Food Festival

December Nights, Parade of Lights, holiday markets and lights

Public holidays

Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day season, no major citywide shutdown

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving affect crowds, hours, and traffic

Christmas and New Year’s closures or reduced hours

Budget

Better than summer, but school-break demand lingers in spots

One of the easier value months outside holiday week

Higher near Christmas, lower earlier in the month

Best for

Families, Halloween trips, warm-weather sightseers

First-timers, foodies, museum fans, shoulder-season planners

Holiday travelers, festive city breaks, parade and light seekers

Book early?

Yes for fall festivals and family attractions on weekends

Yes for Nov 6–15 festivals and Nov 25–29 stays

Yes for holiday shows, waterfront hotels, and festive tours

Transport tips

Easy most days; event weekends can slow downtown

Smooth most of the month; Thanksgiving traffic builds on I-5 and around Old Town

More congestion near Balboa Park, downtown, and bayfront holiday events

Top things to do in San Diego in November

Offbeat experiences in November

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Planning your November visit

Lead timeWhat to bookWhy & whenSeasonal price change

2–4 months ahead

San Diego Holiday Sights and Festive Nights

By Sep for Nov 25–29 stays, because holiday travelers and late-Nov event visitors shrink room choice fast

Nov 25–29: +15–30% vs mid-Nov weekdays; Nov 1–19: mostly shoulder-season pricing

3–6 weeks ahead

Coronado Island Film Festival passes

By mid-Oct for Nov 5–15 festival windows, especially Fri–Sat tastings and chef events

Festival weekends: +10–25% vs ordinary November nights downtown

2–3 weeks ahead

San Diego Zoo Tickets

By early Nov for sunny weekends and Thanksgiving week, when family demand stacks up

Weekends: +5–15% vs Tue–Thu; Thanksgiving week busiest

1–2 weeks ahead

SeaWorld San Diego: Entry Tickets with All-Day Dining Add-On

By the week before your visit, once weather and family plans are set

Weekend and holiday slots: +5–10% vs weekday base

2–7 days ahead

San Diego Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

Book after checking the marine forecast; clear days and calm water move first

Weekend midday sailings: +5–10% vs weekday departures; some last-minute weekday deals appear

3–7 days ahead

Little Italy, Convoy, North Park, and waterfront dinner reservations

Book as soon as your evening plan is fixed during Nov 6–15 and Thanksgiving weekend

Festival and holiday dining windows: +10–15% vs standard November tables

November highlights for different travellers

San Diego in November: Your perfect 3-day itinerary

Best day trips from San Diego in November

Go shopping in San Diego in November

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Frequently asked questions about visiting San Diego in November

Expect mild days and cooler nights in San Diego, usually around 13–21°C (55–70°F). You’ll still want sunscreen by day and a jacket after dark.