Places to Cool Down
During periods of extreme heat, the City designates certain recreation centers, libraries and other public buildings as places for San Diegans to seek relief from warmer weather.
Designated locations will be available during site open hours, and additional locations may be added. Dates may also be extended depending on the severity and duration of the heatwave. Service animals will be allowed entry.
All San Diego Public Library locations are designated locations for people to seek relief during branch open hours. Please check your library's hours before traveling.
The following Parks and Recreation facilities are also available to use to stay cool when the weather becomes unseasonably warm. Please note, regularly scheduled programs and recreational activities may be taking place in these locations.
Libraries
| Location | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Gardens/Benjamin Library | 5188 Zion Ave. | 619-533-3970 |
| Balboa Library | 4255 Mt. Abernathy Ave. | 858-573-1390 |
| Carmel Mountain Ranch Library | 12095 World Trade Drive | 858-538-8181 |
| Carmel Valley Library | 3919 Townsgate Drive | 858-552-1668 |
| Central Library | 330 Park Blvd. | 619-236-5800 |
| City Heights/Weingart Library | 3795 Fairmount Ave. | 619-641-6100 |
| Clairemont Library (temporarily closed as of July 22, 2026) | 2920 Burgener Blvd. | 858-581-9935 |
| College-Rolando Library | 6600 Montezuma Road | 619-533-3902 |
| Kensington-Normal Heights Library | 4121 Adams Ave. | 619-533-3974 |
| La Jolla/Riford Library | 7555 Draper Ave. | 858-552-1657 |
| Linda Vista Library | 2160 Ulric Street | 858-573-1399 |
| Logan Heights Library | 567 S. 28th Street | 619-533-3968 |
| Mira Mesa Library | 8405 New Salem Street | 858-538-8165 |
| Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library | 215 W. Washington Street | 619-692-4910 |
| Mission Valley Library | 2123 Fenton Parkway | 858-573-5007 |
| Mountain View/Beckwourth Library | 721 San Pasqual Street | 619-527-3404 |
| North Clairemont Library | 4616 Clairemont Drive | 858-581-9931 |
| North Park Library | 3795 31st Street | 619-533-3972 |
| North University Community Library | 8820 Judicial Drive | 858-581-9637 |
| Oak Park Library | 2802 54th Street | 619-527-3406 |
| Ocean Beach Library (will close beginning August 29, 2026 for building renovations) | 4801 Santa Monica Ave. | 619-531-1532 |
| Otay Mesa-Nestor Library | 3003 Coronado Ave. | 619-424-0474 |
| Pacific Beach/Taylor Library | 4275 Cass Street | 858-581-9934 |
| Pacific Highlands Ranch Library | 12911 Pacific Place | 858-523-7052 |
| Paradise Hills Library | 5922 Rancho Hills Drive | 619-527-3461 |
| Point Loma/Hervey Library | 3701 Voltaire Street | 619-531-1539 |
| Rancho Bernardo Library | 17110 Bernardo Center Drive | 858-538-8163 |
| Rancho Peñasquitos Library (will close beginning September 1, 2026 for building renovations) | 13330 Salmon River Road | 858-538-8159 |
| San Carlos Library | 7265 Jackson Drive | 619-527-3430 |
| San Ysidro Library | 4235 Beyer Blvd. | 619-424-0475 |
| Scripps Miramar Ranch Library | 10301 Scripps Lake Drive | 858-538-8158 |
| Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library | 9005 Aero Drive | 858-573-1396 |
| Skyline Hills Library | 7900 Paradise Valley Road | 619-527-3485 |
| Tierrasanta Library | 4985 La Cuenta Drive | 858-573-1384 |
| University Community Library | 4155 Governor Drive | 858-552-1655 |
| University Heights Library | 4193 Park Blvd. | 619-692-4912 |
| Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library | 5148 Market Street | 619-527-3405 |
Recreation Centers
| Location | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Azalea Recreation Center | 2596 Violet Street | 619-235-1162 |
| Balboa Park Activity Center | 2145 Park Blvd. | 858-581-7100 |
| Canyonside Recreation Center | 12350 Black Mountain Road | 858-538-8131 |
| Kearny Mesa Recreation Center | 3170 Armstrong Street | 858-573-1387 |
| Montgomery Waller Recreation Center | 3020 Coronado Ave. | 619-424-0466 |
| Mountain View Community Center | 641 S. Boundary Street | 619-527-3417 |
| Nobel Recreation Center | 8810 Judicial Drive | 858-552-1626 |
| Pacific Beach Recreation Center | 1405 Diamond Street | 858-581-9927 |
| Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center | 18448 West Bernardo Drive | 858-538-8129 |
| San Carlos Recreation Center | 6445 Lake Badin Ave. | 619-527-3443 |
Steps to Take to Prepare for an Extreme Heat Event
Learn how to recognize the signs of heat illness.
Each spring, check that your household’s fans, air conditioners or other cooling equipment are in good working order.
Cover your window with drapes or shades.
Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool.
How to Stay Safe During an Extreme Heat Event
Avoid beverages with caffeine, sugar or alcohol.
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
Watch for signs of heat illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
Understanding Your Neighborhood's Heat Risk
Heat is not evenly distributed across San Diego, and some neighborhoods experience higher temperatures than others. Explore this interactive story map to see how heat exposure varies across the city and learn more about local heat risks.
How the City is Preparing for Extreme Heat
As extreme heat becomes more frequent, the City is taking steps to better understand heat risks and prepare communities for hotter days. Through Climate Resilient SD and the Extreme Heat Action Plan, the City is identifying areas most vulnerable to extreme heat, developing long-term cooling strategies and expanding resources to help community members stay safe.
Learn more about how the City is preparing to be resilient against Extreme Heat on the City’s Climate Resilient SD Heat webpage.