The best time to visit San Francisco for weather is September and October. Those are the warmest months downtown, with average highs near 70°F, little rain and less fog than summer. Spring is a close second for mild days and smaller crowds. Summer is the busiest season, but fog and wind often keep it cool.
In this guide
This guide is part of our San Francisco weather by month hub. Temperatures below are NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals for the San Francisco Downtown station.
Best time to visit at a glance
- Best weather September and October
- Fewest crowds January and February, outside holiday weekends
- Wettest months December to February
- Foggiest months June to August, especially near the ocean
- Busiest weekends Pride in June, Outside Lands in August, Fleet Week in October
- Any month Bring layers and a windproof jacket
Month by month
| Month | Average high / low | Rain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F / 47°F | 4.4 in | Quiet, green, rainy spells |
| February | 60°F / 48°F | 4.4 in | Chinese New Year Parade |
| March | 62°F / 49°F | 3.2 in | Showers tapering off |
| April | 63°F / 50°F | 1.6 in | Cherry Blossom Festival, wildflowers |
| May | 64°F / 51°F | 0.7 in | Bay to Breakers, Carnaval |
| June | 67°F / 53°F | 0.2 in | Fog season starts, Pride |
| July | 66°F / 54°F | Trace | Cool, foggy mornings, busy |
| August | 68°F / 56°F | 0.1 in | Outside Lands, still foggy |
| September | 70°F / 56°F | 0.1 in | Warmest month |
| October | 70°F / 54°F | 0.9 in | Clear days, Fleet Week |
| November | 64°F / 51°F | 2.6 in | Rain returns, holiday lights |
| December | 58°F / 47°F | 4.8 in | Wettest month, holiday events |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.
September and October
Locals call this the real summer. The marine layer that blankets the coast in July usually weakens, so the bridge is more likely to be clear and evenings outside are pleasant. School is back in session in most of the country, which takes some pressure off the big sights. Fall weekends are busy with events, though. Fleet Week and the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival fill the waterfront and Golden Gate Park in early October, and hotel rates rise on those weekends.
Spring: March to May
Rain tapers off through March, and by April and May most days are dry and mild, in the low to mid 60s. The hills are green, wildflowers come up in the parks and Japantown holds the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Afternoon wind near the water can be strong, so keep a jacket handy.
Summer: June to August
Summer is the most popular time to visit, and it is often the coolest part of the year near the ocean. Fog rolls in through the Golden Gate on many mornings and evenings, and the western neighborhoods can stay gray all day while the Mission is sunny. If summer is your only option, plan bridge photos for midday, book Alcatraz well ahead and pack a warm layer.
Winter: November to February
Most of the year’s rain falls between November and March, but storms come and go, with clear days in between. Crowds are smaller, and outside the holidays it is often easier to find good hotel rates. The holiday season brings the Union Square tree and ice rink, and February has the Chinese New Year Parade.
Cheapest time to visit
Hotel prices follow demand more than weather. Rates are usually lowest from January to early March, outside holiday weekends and big conventions. Large conferences at Moscone Center can push downtown prices up any time of year, so check dates before you book. Our where to stay in San Francisco guide compares areas and prices.
Times to avoid, or plan around
- Pride weekend in late June, Outside Lands in August and Fleet Week in October, unless you are coming for them.
- Holiday weekends in summer, when Alcatraz and Muir Woods reservations sell out early.
- The wettest weeks of December to February, if you want long outdoor days.
See the San Francisco events guide for dates, and what to pack for San Francisco for a season-by-season list.
Official resources: NOAA climate normals, National Weather Service Bay Area forecast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit San Francisco?
September, closely followed by October. Both have the warmest average highs of the year and less fog than summer.
Is summer a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is fine if you pack for cool, foggy weather. Highs near the coast are often in the 60s, and fog can hide the bridge for hours.
When is the rainy season in San Francisco?
November to March. December, January and February are the wettest months.
Photo credits
Featured image: Frank Schulenburg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; September and October: Christoph Strässler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Winter: November to February: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.