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Best time to visit San Francisco
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit San Francisco, United States
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8-14°C, cool and rainy with occasional clear days | low | low |
⚠ Can experience significant rainfall. | |
| February | 9-15°C, cool with a mix of rain and sunshine | low | low |
| |
| March | 10-16°C, crisp and increasingly sunny | low | low |
| |
| April | 11-17°C, mild with sunshine and occasional spring showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Weather can be unpredictable, pack layers. | |
| May | 12-18°C, pleasant with increasing sunshine | moderate | moderate |
| |
| June | 13-19°C, cool and often foggy, especially mornings | high | high |
⚠ June Gloom' is a local phenomenon; expect fog. | |
| July | 13-19°C, cool and foggy, similar to June | peak | peak |
⚠ Often the foggiest month; warm clothing essential. | |
| August | 13-20°C, still prone to fog, warming slightly | peak | peak |
⚠ Fog can persist through the day, particularly on the coast. | |
| September | 14-21°C, often the warmest and clearest month | high | high |
| |
| October | 13-20°C, clear and mild, with potential for Indian Summer | moderate | moderate |
| |
| November | 10-17°C, crisp with increasing chances of rain | moderate | moderate |
| |
| December | 9-15°C, cool and often rainy | high | high |
⚠ Christmas and New Year's crowds can be substantial. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Vibrant celebrations in Chinatown with dragon dances and cultural performances.
One of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the United States.
A unique and eccentric footrace and street party across the city.
One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride events in the world.
Celebrations and fireworks displays across the Bay Area.
A major music festival held in Golden Gate Park.
A celebration of the sea services with ship tours and air shows.
Celebrations often held in various community centers and parks.
Insider timing tips
- •San Francisco's weather is notoriously microclimatic; a jacket is always recommended, even in summer.
- •The 'fog season' (June-August) can make coastal areas and western neighborhoods significantly cooler and damper than the eastern parts of the city.
- •September and October often offer the most stable, warm, and sunny weather, defying typical autumn patterns elsewhere.
- •Public transportation via Muni (buses, streetcars, cable cars) is extensive but can be slow; factor in travel time.
- •Accommodations prices spike during major conventions and holidays like New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July.
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