Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Blog

Where To Go if You Want To Avoid Crowds in San Diego

a sunset over a body of water

San Diego, also known as America’s finest city, offers tourists fabulous weather and lots more. Like any good tourist destination, we have excellent restaurants, lodgings, attractions, shopping and more. Like any great tourist destination, San Diego also has an appealing quiet side, an alternative for our guests who eschew the crowds in favor of a more muted experience.

When Is it Off-season in San Diego?

San Diego boasts some of the finest weather in the world. August is the warmest month, with an average temperature of about 73 degrees fahrenheit, while January is the coolest, with an average temperature of about 57 degrees fahrenheit.

Beginning in October and extending into the winter months is San Diego’s quieter season. The number of tourists drops off as September passes by and by October the hotels and other lodging establishments are reducing their rates. This is good news for ocean lovers because the beaches – arguably San Diego’s most notable tourist attraction – are much quieter. That said, the peak water temperature of August, which is about 68 degrees, trends down to a cooler 57 degrees by February.

Unique Places To Stay in San Diego

There are lots of great lodging establishments in town. You can find a little solitude in some unexpected places. The Bahia Resort Hotel is right on Mission Bay, but is tucked away on a 14-acre peninsula. Though right in the middle of everything, Bahia offers all the serenity you want, whether you’re enjoying the adjacent beaches or the lush tropical gardens.

The Sofia Hotel offers guests graciousness and charm and is a proud member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America. From quiet, relaxed ambiance to exquisite dining and spa options, one of the best things about the Sofia is the unsurpassed attention to detail and consistent service with alacrity from the staff.

Eating Like a Local

Are you as epicurean as we are? San Diego has tons of happening restaurants. Some of the quieter ones are the most renowned for excellent food and service. Starlite is one of our hidden gems in the Mission Hills area that’s great for grabbing cocktails and local cuisine described by staff as elevated American. The atmosphere is chill and cool and this is where friends come to meet up and relax together over a drink and a bite.

The Red Door is an Italian restaurant that offers Italian fare inspired by local sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients. The dinner menu includes freshly caught seared scallops and the fresh catch of the day from Catalina Offshore. Salads are culled from local gardens and The Red Door’s wine list is robust.

Quiet Parks & Trails to Visit

San Diego has lots of parks and trails, and some are off the beaten path. Miramar Overlook Park is a small, hidden gem in the Scripps Ranch part of town. Besides boasting a great view of Lake Miramar, it has a playground, tables and benches and lots of green space.

Mountain View Mini Park is another secluded spot with beautiful views and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reputation. If there’s a downside to Mt. Helix Park, it’s that there’s limited parking. However, that might be the very thing that keeps this beautiful spot so serene and peaceful.

San Diego is a gorgeous destination city that boasts fine temperate weather, tourist attractions and lots of awesomely quiet, off-the-beaten-path places to check out. If you’re looking to head to our fair city, there’s loads of information out there to peruse. For instance, you can visit one of our local sailing company websites to learn more about sailing, whale watching and private charter options.