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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.
Photo by Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash
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
February
Chinese New Year Festival and Parade
Vibrant celebrations in Chinatown with dragon dances and cultural performances.
April
San Francisco International Film Festival
One of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the United States.
May
Bay to Breakers
A unique and eccentric footrace and street party across the city.
June
San Francisco Pride Parade
One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride events in the world.
July
Fourth of July Fireworks
Celebrations and fireworks displays across the Bay Area.
August
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
A major music festival held in Golden Gate Park.
October
San Francisco Fleet Week
A celebration of the sea services with ship tours and air shows.
October
Diwali Festival of Lights
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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