A couple takes a stroll at low tide at sunset at Ocean Beach Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
A couple takes a stroll at low tide at sunset at the Ocean Beach Pier. Photo by Chris Stone

The San Diego coast is definitely the place to be through the weekend, as a high-pressure system drives up temperatures across the region, particularly in the deserts.

An excessive heat warning will be in effect through 9 p.m. next Wednesday in the San Diego County deserts, with temperatures potentially topping 120 degrees.

The valleys and mountains will be under an excessive heat warning from 11 a.m. Friday through 9 p.m. Saturday, with triple-digit heat possible.

“Hot weather will continue through the weekend into much of next week as high pressure remains anchored over the region,” the National Weather Service said. “The heat will peak today and Saturday with highs 5 to 15 degrees above average. Areas near the coast will stay cooler due to the shallower marine layer.”

Highs Friday are expected to be 75 to 80 near the coast, 83 to 86 inland, 85 to 90 in the western valleys, 100 to 105 near the foothills, 99 to 107 in the mountains and around 117 in the deserts.

A the beaches, a long-period south swell will bring elevated surf, peaking late Friday through Saturday, before subsiding on Sunday. Sets of 6-7 feet can be expected on south and southwest-facing beaches,

Updated at 7:30 a.m., July 5, 2024

City News Service contributed to this article.

Chris Jennewein is founder and senior editor of Times of San Diego.