What to do in San Diego when it rains
Rainy days suit San Diego: trade the streets for its galleries and museums, a sheltered market, and a café where you can watch the weather go by.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Balboa Park San Diego, CA, USA
- USS Midway Museum 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- San Diego Air & Space Museum 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- San Diego Natural History Museum 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- The New Children’s Museum 200 W Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Botanical Building 1550 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Spanish Village Art Center 1770 Village Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Cafe Bassam 3088 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Centro Cultural de la Raza 2004 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Bread & Salt 1955 Julian Ave, San Diego, CA 92113, USA
- Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Guru Tattoo 2504 State St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum 2215 Pan American E Rd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- San Diego Air & Space Museum 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Balboa Theatre 868 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Maritime Museum of San Diego 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Spruce Street Suspension Bridge Spruce St, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Museum of Us 1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Whole Foods Market 711 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Ralphs 101 G St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Trader Joe's 1090 University Ave Ste G100-107, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market 600 W Date St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Sprouts Farmers Market 4175 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- The Fish Market 750 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Morning Glory 550 W Date St Suite #C, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- McDonald's 1280 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Coffee by Malibu Farm 831 W Harbor Dr Suite A, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- HINAR Dessert Bar & Café 454 13th St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- ASA Bakery 634 14th St #110, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- The Henry 1031 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Seaport Village 849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Village Hillcrest 3955 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Seaport Village | Lighthouse District 809 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- Vida 925 Waterfront Pl, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
- The Hub Hillcrest Market 940-1092 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Coronado Plaza 1330 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.