Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
San Simeon in January
Little changes in San Simeon from December: highs stay near 54°F (12°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), and about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain falls.
Its comfort score of 69/100 is still Good, though it ranks 10th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 54°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 46°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 2.9 in (73 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 50 min
- Comfort score
- 69/100 · Good
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 54°F (12°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 46°F (8°C).
Some rain is likely, about 2.9 in (73 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are August – November.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort holds steady from December (68 → 69/100).
- Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 54°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.9 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in San Simeon in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
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.
Robin's Restaurant
Garden-patio restaurant in Cambria with global, seasonal plates.
Why now January scores 69/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Moonstone Beach Boardwalk
Mile-long boardwalk above a rocky shore with tidepools and otter sightings.
Why now Highs near 54°F and 2.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Hearst Ranch Winery
Tasting room in the historic Sebastian's building across from the beach.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
Guided tours of an 1875 lighthouse and its restored grounds.
Nearby in January
- Big Sur in January~54 mi · highs 58°F, 3.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Monterey & Carmel in January~75 mi · highs 58°F, 3.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Solvang in January~95 mi · highs 62°F, 3.5 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Santa Barbara in January~121 mi · highs 64°F, 3.5 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, wetter
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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit San Simeon?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 69/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are August – November. Expect highs of 54°F (12°C) and 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is San Simeon in January?
Average highs are 54°F (12°C) and average lows 46°F (8°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in San Simeon in January?
Some: about 2.9 in (73 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 15.2 in (387 mm).
What should I pack for San Simeon in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 54°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.9 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on San Simeon
Planning San Simeon in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.