San Diego’s trademark sunshine is coming with a side of tissues this summer. Residents across the county are finding that what used to be a short burst of grass-pollen misery has dragged into a weeks-long slog of runny noses, itchy eyes and mid-day pharmacy runs as pollen hangs around deeper into the season.
San Diego Climbs To No. 2
San Diego’s metro area now ranks No. 2 in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2026 Allergy Capitals® report, which scores cities on pollen exposure, use of over-the-counter allergy medications and access to specialists, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. That spot represents a sharp jump from a much lower ranking last year, as Axios reported.
Why Your Summer Feels So Sneezy
Local allergists say the story is less about one huge spike and more about a season that refuses to quit. Scripps Clinic allergist Ronald Simon points to wetter winters and warmer spring temperatures that stretch out plant growth and spread grass pollen over more months, and he notes that coastal wind patterns that once reliably swept pollen away are less consistent, according to Scripps Health. On top of that, Santa Ana events can blow inland allergens into the county on dry, dusty winds.
What Local Allergists And The Foundation Recommend
To keep symptoms in check, experts push a blend of prevention and medication. Simon told Axios, “It is getting worse, but not that dramatically,” and recommends steps like keeping windows closed during high-pollen hours, using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers, running HEPA air purifiers and changing or cleaning air conditioning filters regularly. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also advises checking pollen forecasts, showering after you have been outside and starting allergy medicines before symptoms peak; the group’s guidance lays out timing and treatment details.
Climate, Clouds And The Marine Layer
Scientists watching coastal low-cloud patterns say those same ocean and atmospheric shifts can alter how often onshore breezes clear pollen out of the air. Research published in Geophysical Research Letters, along with reporting on warming coastal waters in the San Francisco Chronicle, suggests that changes in the marine layer’s behavior can stretch pollen seasons or make them more erratic. Those broader climate trends help explain why several West Coast cities climbed the latest allergy rankings.
Plan Around Pollen
If you are trying to squeeze in a run, a hike or yard work, it pays to plan around the daily numbers. Free trackers such as Pollen.com and other data aggregators show grass pollen sticking around through the summer in San Diego this year, and local reporting has highlighted higher counts than in recent seasons. When over-the-counter medications are not cutting it, allergists say it may be time for testing and possibly immunotherapy, which can offer longer-term relief beyond pills and nasal sprays.
