Christmas or Spring Break for trip to San Diego?

[2MuchOhana]

We are trying to plan a trip to San Diego. So, my question is which time of the year is generally better late December or mid March? Summer is out since DD really wants to go whale watching. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[ScooterL]

What do you want to do besides whale watching? The weather is more likely to be better in March - though it can be 75-80 at the end of December! Either way you're on the periphery of whale watching season - it's generally considered to be late December thru end of March - you'll probably have a better chance of seeing more of them in January or February.

Unless your trip falls during Easter week, you'll probably have less crowds at attractions in March than in December.

 

[honeymom]

We've hit some bad weather in March. It snowed through the pass going into San Diego last year in March. It was horrible and I never thought we'd make it through.

 

[2MuchOhana]

Thanks ScooterL and honeymom for your opinions. I know weather can be unpredictable at best. It's also good to know that the whale watching might be hit or miss at both those times of the year. DD gets two weeks off for her Christmas break this next school year and her spring break will again be the third week in March. This year that happens to be Easter week; and DD wants to just stay home for it.

Aside from possibly whale watching the plan would be to go to the zoo, wild animal park and, of course Sea World. I would also like to spend a day or two at DL. I really miss Mr. Toad's Wild Adventure, the orginal Tiki Room and some of the other attractions I can't find at WDW.

You've both given me things to really think about. I offered DD the chance her the chance to go end of May or in June to celebrate her Kindergarten graduation. What's it like at the end of May or in June there? I know whale watching would be out; but if the weather is nicer and the crowds not horrible this may be the way to go.

Thanks again!
Jodi

 

[ScooterL]

Well...in May and June you get into the whole "May Gray", "June Gloom" weather pattern. Along the coast (and even a few miles inland) it is usually cloudy and overcast in the mornings - sometimes it clears in the afternoons and sometimes it doesn't. Temps are usually around 70-75 on the coast. It doesn't rain, but it's gloomy. Nice for the Zoo, not so nice for Sea World or the beach. Sometimes we'll get a stretch of several days where it's sunny all day, but it's not predictable at all. Should be nice at the Wild Animal Park - if you're going there, then May is better than June since it'll be a little bit cooler - it gets HOT at the Wild Animal Park even when it's cool along the coast.

As far as crowds go, they shouldn't be too bad mid-week in May or early June (before school gets out here).