Best time to visit San Francisco
The best time to visit San Francisco is during summer, from June to September, when the weather is pleasantly warm and sunny with little or no rainfall.
However, anytime is good to visit San Francisco. The city receives 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
San Francisco weather
San Francisco experiences a temperate climate with cool summers and mild, relatively rainy winters.
However, the size of the city with its mix of inland and coastal locations creates a variety of microclimates that effect local weather conditions. Inland temperatures are warmer in summer and cooler in winter than coastal locations.
Summer is typically cool due to the cold front that flows along the coast of California, which can also cause fogs and mists in San Francisco Bay.
Summer, from July to September, is usually cool with fog in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon accompanied by a sea breeze. The western sections of San Francisco receive the most fog and wind. Temperatures increase the further east you go in the great San Francisco area.
Autumn, during October and November, the weather is initially mild before becoming wet and cool.
Winter, from December to mid-March, is mild with sunny weather that is often interspersed with rainfall.
Spring, from mid-March to May, is initially cool gradually becoming warmer, with occasional rainfall.
Here are the average temperatures recorded at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located south of downtown San Francisco.
Which is the hottest month in San Francisco?
September is usually the hottest month in San Francisco, with an average high temperature of 24°C (75°F), with moderate heat and a low of 13°C (55°F).
However on the warmest days, which usually occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature may climb to 32°C (90°F).
The warm season lasts from mid-June through to mid-October, with an average daily high temperature above 22°C (71°F).
Which is the coldest month in San Francisco?
January is the coldest month in San Francisco, with an average high-temperature of 14°C (57°F) and an average night-time temperature of 6°C (42°F).
The cool season lasts from December to early-February, with an average daily high temperature below 15°C (59°F).
When is it sunniest in San Francisco?
The sunniest time of year in San Francisco is usually September, with an average of nine hours of sunshine per day – that's around 73% of daylight hours.
When is the sea warmest in San Francisco?
Due to the cold current, the sea is usually cold all year round in San Francisco, and too cold for swimming in comfort.
Which month has the most rain in San Francisco?
January, February and December are usually the wettest months in San Francisco with 100mm (4in) of rainfall, distributed across 11 days in each month on average.
The rainy time of year usually lasts from early-November through to early-April, with a greater than 15% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The dry season lasts from early-April to early-November. The month with the least rainfall in San Francisco is July.
Which is the windiest month in San Francisco?
The windiest month of the year in San Francisco is May, with an average hourly wind speed of 15 kilometres per hour (9 mph; 8 knots).
The windy part of the year lasts from early-February through to late-July, with average wind speeds of more than 13 kilometres per hour (8 mph; 7 knots).
The less-windy time of year lasts from late-July through to early-February. The calmest month of the year in San Francisco is October, with an average hourly wind speed of 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).
The predominant average wind direction in San Francisco varies throughout the year.
San Francisco Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 18 | 14 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 12 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 2 | - | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 102 | 100 | 65 | 34 | 12 | 4 | - | 1 | 2 | 24 | 51 | 109 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
| San Francisco, California | |||||||||||
Holiday seasons
High season: Summer, from June to September;
Low season: Winter, from December to March.
Note: Meteorological data for San Francisco is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the National Weather Service (NWS / NOAA) from the closest weather station: San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located 21km (13mi) south of downtown San Francisco.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider the high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), the amount of sunshine and the sea temperature. Often, the best times correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit San Francisco: 21 June, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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