Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
A hilly, compact city on the water, known for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and a famously mild but changeable microclimate. Its neighbourhoods can each feel like a different city block by block, from Victorian houses to steep, view-filled hills.
Best time to visit: September to November, when fog is less frequent and temperatures are at their warmest — summer here can be surprisingly cool and foggy.
Local tip: Bring layers even in summer — Mark Twain's famous (if apocryphal) line about a cold San Francisco summer is closer to true than visitors expect.
Getting around: The city's steep hills make walking tiring in places, but cable cars, buses, and the Muni Metro cover most routes well.
Good to know: Alcatraz tickets regularly sell out days or weeks ahead in peak season — book as early as your dates are confirmed.
What to plan your trip around
- Golden Gate Bridge
The Art Deco suspension bridge that has defined the city's skyline since 1937.
- Alcatraz Island
A former federal prison on an island in the bay, reachable by ferry and best booked ahead.
- Fisherman's Wharf
A lively waterfront area with seafood, sea lions, and views across the bay.
- Golden Gate Park
A large park stretching from downtown to the ocean, home to gardens, museums, and open lawns.
San Francisco weather by month
San Francisco weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall San Francisco gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 7°C | 96 mm | 83% |
| February | 15°C | 7°C | 90 mm | 80% |
| March | 16°C | 8°C | 98 mm | 82% |
| April | 18°C | 9°C | 35 mm | 79% |
| May | 19°C | 10°C | 15 mm | 77% |
| June | 22°C | 12°C | 9 mm | 73% |
| July | 22°C | 12°C | 1 mm | 74% |
| August | 23°C | 13°C | 1 mm | 75% |
| September | 24°C | 13°C | 4 mm | 71% |
| October | 23°C | 12°C | 22 mm | 67% |
| November | 18°C | 9°C | 59 mm | 75% |
| December | 14°C | 7°C | 95 mm | 79% |
San Francisco through the year
January · 14° / 7°C · 96 mm
- Check the hourly forecast before heading to Fisherman's Wharf — showers are likely.
- Rain is above San Francisco's usual level, by about 119%.
April · 18° / 9°C · 35 mm
- In San Francisco, April is mid-spring.
- Good walking weather for combining Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge in one day.
July · 22° / 12°C · 1 mm
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
- Rain is well below San Francisco's usual level (around 98% less).
October · 23° / 12°C · 22 mm
- It's one of the sunniest months here, with cloud cover around 41%.
- October is San Francisco's third warmest month.
The best time to visit San Francisco is May, June and September, when average highs are 19–24°C and rainfall is around 9 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to San Francisco, season by season
December – February
Good14° / 7°C · 94 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
March – May
Good18° / 9°C · 49 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good23° / 12°C · 4 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to San Francisco in May, June and September. Average highs are then 19–24°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit San Francisco?
- In May, San Francisco averages 19°C by day and 10°C at night, with about 15 mm of rain and 54% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in San Francisco?
- September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with average highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C.
- What is the coldest month in San Francisco?
- January is the coldest month in San Francisco: average highs of 14°C, dropping to 7°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in San Francisco?
- March is the wettest month in San Francisco with about 98 mm of rain. The driest is July, with around 1 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit San Francisco?
- January is the least pleasant month in San Francisco, with average highs of just 14°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit San Francisco?
- Yes. April, July and October sit just outside the best months for San Francisco, with average highs of 18–23°C and about 19 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in San Francisco before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for San Francisco from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit San Francisco. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/san-francisco
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/usa/san-francisco">Best time to visit San Francisco</a> (WeatherCompare)
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