What to Do, Where to Go, and How to Stay Dry During This Week’s Storm

San Diego isn’t exactly known for its rainy days. In fact, most of us forget where we stored our umbrella, and the idea of an actual storm feels almost mythical. But with a real stretch of rain headed our way, it’s the perfect moment to acknowledge the rarity of it all, prepare for the wetter weather, and—believe it or not—have a little fun with it.

While we usually operate on sunshine and 72-degree days, storms in San Diego have a way of transforming the city. Everything feels calmer, cozier, and strangely exciting. Of course, the downside is that none of us have a built-in rainy-day routine, so when the skies finally open up, families scramble for things to do and people suddenly remember that, yes, roads can actually get slick.

If you’re hoping to get out of the house and stay dry, San Diego has plenty of indoor spots that become perfect little escapes on damp days. Balboa Park alone could fill your whole weekend. The Fleet Science Center is always a hit for families with its hands-on exhibits and IMAX theater, and The Nat is a great place to wander through dinosaurs, gems, fossils, and Southern California’s wild world—all without getting wet. The San Diego Museum of Art is ideal if you’d rather settle into something quiet and inspiring, while the Air & Space Museum is a thrilling option for kids and grown-ups alike. If you’re downtown, the USS Midway has tons of indoor exhibits, and the WNDR Museum becomes even more atmospheric against a rainy backdrop. Up north, you can escape to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad or spend an imaginative afternoon at the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido.

If you’d rather lean into the cozy vibe and stay home, rainy days can be some of the best memory-making days. Build a fort, bake cookies, turn your living room into a movie theater, or set up a hot chocolate bar and let everyone get creative with toppings. Science experiments, board games, letter-writing, art projects—all the classic indoor activities suddenly feel fresh when the weather outside is stormy. Kids love it, and honestly, adults do too.

And if you’re feeling a little adventurous, stepping outside can actually be part of the fun—as long as the weather is safe and there’s no thunder or heavy winds. Put on rain boots and splash in puddles, watch the clouds change shape, rescue worms and snails along the sidewalk, or build paper-cup boats and race them down the curbside “rivers.” For kids especially, rainy days in San Diego are such a novelty that they turn into memory-makers instantly.

Of course, with real rain comes real preparation. San Diego’s landscape doesn’t absorb water well, so even short bursts can lead to flooding in low-lying areas, garages, and driveways. Cities across the county are offering free sandbags, usually up to ten per household, and they’re available while supplies last. It’s smart to grab some early, especially if your home is in a flood-prone spot. Bring a shovel, stack the bags along doorways or vulnerable edges, and clear any leaves or debris from storm drains and gutters so water can flow away from your home rather than toward it.

Rain may be rare in San Diego, but that’s exactly why it feels special. It slows the city down, brings people indoors, and gives us an excuse to press pause on our usual routines. Whether you choose to bundle up at home, explore a museum, or let the kids splash outside until they’re drenched, this week’s storm is an opportunity to see San Diego through a different, cozier lens.