San Diego In March: Events & Best Things To Do

March is a lovely time to visit San Diego. The Carlsbad flower fields bloom, Seaport Village hosts the only busker festival in Southern California, and the city throws a St. Patrick’s Day celebration better than the Irish.

Visiting San Diego in March allows you to escape the crowds. Nowhere near the number of people are visiting the city in spring compared to summer, so you’ll have the whole place to yourself.

Read on for insight into what it’s like to visit San Diego in March, plus some exciting events being hosted over the month.

San Diego Weather in March

As March approaches, the weather in San Diego slowly starts to pick up. Temperatures begin to reach highs of 66°F and lows of 53°F, with only a couple of days of rain in between. Rainfall rounds up to about 1 inch in total.

An average day sees 8.7 hours of sunshine in San Diego. So, you can see the days are slowly starting to get longer again.

Unfortunately, the ocean temperatures are at 59.4°F, which is still quite cold for swimmers.

Take a look at the average March temperatures in San Diego plus rainfall for the whole year:

What Should You Wear In March In San Diego?

Although the sun is shining, most people will still wear jeans or long trousers in March. Wear light layers and bring a pair of shorts just in case you find it too warm.

Don’t forget your jacket either, in case it’s raining a day here or there.

Things To Do In San Diego In March

Check Out The Flower Fields

When: March 1st, 2024 – May 14th, 2024
Where: Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Read our Top Tips for Visiting the Carlsbad Flower Fields here

The Carlsbad Flower Fields are a charming display of color and beauty that have been showcased in San Diego for over 60 years. Soak up 50 acres of Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that only blossom for six to eight weeks each year in the coastal city of Carlsbad.

March is the perfect month to see them because once April and May come, the crowds get a lot bigger. Tickets cost $18 and must be purchased online beforehand, so get there fast.

Attend SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Craft Beer and Food Festival

When: March 1st – April 28th, 2024, select dates
Where: SeaWorld San Diego
Website

Food and beer lovers go wild for SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Craft Beer and Food Festival. Sip on some tasty craft beer specially brewed in one of San Diego’s many craft breweries. Then sample delicious bites from an array of international cuisines made with high-quality local ingredients and explosive flavors.

While eating and drinking is the best part, there will also be live music performed by several artists, and you’ll be able to get up close to the theme park’s animals, such as adorable dolphins, sea lions, and more.

There’s no entrance fee for the festival itself, but you’ll have to purchase a ticket to gain admission to SeaWorld. Any food or beverages you’d like, you can buy separately from the festival’s vendors.

Cherry Blossom Festival

When: March 7th – 10th, 2024
Where: Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in Balboa Park
Website

See the beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s Cherry Blossom Festival.

The 4 day event includes a huge lineup of live performances, a vendors market, delicious food, and Beer & Sake Garden. There’s even a Children’s Area for the little ones.

Tickets are $14 per person.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

When: March 17th, 2024
Where: All over the city

San Diego goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the one day in the year that everyone in San Diego becomes Irish. There’s so much going on around the city over the 24 hours, including a pub crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter, leprechaun runs at Mission Bay, and a parade in Balboa Park. Here are some more events and parties happening on St Paddy’s Day:

• St Patrick’s Day Party Hop, Gaslamp Quarter
• San Diego Shamrock Beer and Music Festival, Gaslamp Quarter
• Leprechaun Run, Pacific Beach
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, Balboa Park
• Shamrock Block Party, Gaslamp Museum
• Luck O’Loma Block Party, Point Loma Peninsula

Read our full article on things to do on St Patrick’s Day in San Diego here.

Overindulge During San Diego Restaurant Week

When: March 3rd – 10th, 2024
Where: All corners of the city
Website

Join 100 restaurants as they celebrate San Diego’s culinary scene during Restaurant Week. Dive deep into the city’s food culture and indulge in a three-course prix-fixe menu, starting at only $20, offered by all participating establishments.

No tickets are required, but the organizers recommend you reserve tables in advance to avoid disappointment.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

When: March 14th – 24th, 2024
Where: All over San Diego
Website

Get ready for the 31st annual San Diego Latino Film Festival. Enjoy 11 days of non-stop movies and concerts, like the anticipated Closing Party, where awards are handed out and lots of fun is had. The film festival presents over 150 films from Latin America, Spain, and the United States.

Ticket prices range from $50 to $300, depending on how many days you’d like to attend.

Gray Whale Watching

When: December – March

The season for gray whale watching in San Diego is from mid-December to mid-March. During this period, many gray whales move down from Alaska to Mexico, passing San Diego on their journey.

Since gray whales are bottom feeders, they prefer shallow waters, so you may be able to see some of them without having to go too far.

If you want to get really close, plan to take a kayak or boat with a professional guide who knows the waters. This way they can show you the best spotting locations and ensure you maintain a safe distance.

For information on whale watching check out the Best Whale Watching Tours In San Diego.

San Diego Zoo

When: All Month
Where: San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo spans over 100 acres and houses over 1,200 endangered animals. Situated in Balboa Park, San Diego’s Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions and by far the most visited Amusement Park in San Diego. 

See a range of the park’s wild cat species close up going about their daily lives by joining the Crazy About Cats Tour. Join a family-friendly Inside Look Tour to get a better look at the animals from private off-view areas. The options are endless at the San Diego Zoo.

If you purchase tickets online, you get access to a number of extras that you won’t get if you buy tickets at the entrance.

Be sure to check out the San Diego Zoo Tips before heading out.

Grab Yourself Some Tickets for Padres Opening Day

When: March 28th, 2024
Where: Petco Park
Website

This year the Padres take on the San Francisco Giants for Padres Opening Day at Petco Park. You don’t want to miss this fixture!

Throughout the weekend, there will be several fun events in addition to the game, like BeerFest, hosted by Southwest Airlines. You’ll also find $5 deals on your favorite local craft beers from local breweries. On Sunday, the stadium hosts KidsFest, where your little ones can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, and plenty of other games to keep them occupied.

Tickets start at $275 and are expected to go up as the event date approaches.

Watch The San Diego Crew Classic Regatta

When: April 5th – 7th, 2024
Where: Mission Bay
Website

If you find yourself in San Diego in spring, you don’t want to miss the San Diego Crew Classic Regatta. Watch thousands of athletes from across the country compete in a grueling rowing competition where they’ll aim to showcase their skills for the upcoming season.

Besides the sports aspect of the event, it’s also a social gathering for many. Taste local beers in one of the beer gardens, try a couple of new dishes, and check out the shopping opportunities.

Tickets can be purchased online beforehand. There is a range of options, but standard tickets start at $30.

Dance The Night Away at CRSSD Festival

Where: San Diego Waterfront Park
When: March 2nd – 3rd, 2024
Website

Are you a fan of electronic music? If so, you’ll love the CRSSD Festival. It’s a two-day concert held at the 12-acre Waterfront Park, featuring 36+ of the best electronic music artists. Past performances have included the likes of Becky Hill, Odesza, Mall Grab, Deborah De Luca, and more, all on three stages.

2-day tickets can be purchased in advance online for $239.

Run In One Of The Many Races Held in San Diego In March

March is a notorious time of year for running events in San Diego, thanks to great weather. If you’re into racing, check out these events you can enter. 

• Coast to Crest Trail Race, 10K, 5K trail run – March 2nd, 2024
• Ruff Run, 5k run – March 9th, 2024
• Screen Your Gut, Save Your Butt, 5k, kids run – March 9th, 2024
• Admiral Baker, 5k run – March 9th, 2023
• San Diego Leprechaun Run 5k – March 16th, 2024
• Hot Chocolate, 5k, 10k, 15k run – March 10th, 2024
• San Diego Half Marathon – March 24th, 2024
• Ironkids Oceanside Fun Run, kids run – April 5th, 2024

For more, head on over to the following guides: Complete List of San Diego Marathons & Complete List of San Diego Half Marathons & San Diego 5K Races.

Between the nice weather and abundance of events to go to, plus exciting activities available, March is lining up to be a great time in San Diego.

You could spend the whole month here and still not even scratch the surface. Don’t rush around and try to get everything done over a couple of days. You’ll be exhausted and won’t enjoy yourself. Instead, pace yourself, enjoy the city, and most importantly, have fun during March in San Diego!

Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by Maria Haase

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