Early winter · Weather & things to do
San Simeon in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 3.1 in (80 mm) falling in San Simeon, alongside highs near 54°F (12°C) and lows of 47°F (8°C).
Its comfort score of 68/100 is still Good, though it ranks 12th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 54°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 47°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 3.1 in (80 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 58%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 68/100 · Good
What December feels like
It's cool, with highs near 54°F (12°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 47°F (8°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.1 in (80 mm).
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are August – November.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 8.9 in (225 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 36 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 83/100 in November to 68/100.
- Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 54°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in San Simeon in December
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Free boardwalk viewpoints over thousands of elephant seals on the beach.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Dec–Feb.
William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach
Calm cove beach and pier below Hearst Castle, good for picnics and kayaking.
Why now December scores 68/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Linn's Restaurant
Cambria institution known for its olallieberry pie.
Robin's Restaurant
Garden-patio restaurant in Cambria with global, seasonal plates.
Why now Highs near 54°F and 3.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst's hilltop estate with the Neptune Pool and Roman Pool.
Nearby in December
- Big Sur in December~54 mi · highs 58°F, 4.2 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Monterey & Carmel in December~75 mi · highs 58°F, 4.2 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Solvang in December~95 mi · highs 62°F, 2.8 in rain · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Santa Barbara in December~121 mi · highs 63°F, 2.8 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~84 m to San Simeon's ~452 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
San Simeon in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit San Simeon?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 68/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are August – November. Expect highs of 54°F (12°C) and 3.1 in (80 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is San Simeon in December?
Average highs are 54°F (12°C) and average lows 47°F (8°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in San Simeon in December?
Some: about 3.1 in (80 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.2 in (387 mm).
What should I pack for San Simeon in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 54°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on San Simeon
Planning San Simeon in December?
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