Best Time to Visit San Francisco
United States · Mediterranean climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit San Francisco is:
August → July → June
August scores 80/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 38 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 19 | 38 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 20 | 40 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 32 | 46 | 31 | 0 | |
| May | 42 | 54 | 50 | 0 | |
| June | 59 | 61 | 94 | 0 | |
| July | 61 | 62 | 99 | 0 | |
| August | 63 | 68 | 98 | 0 | |
| September | 61 | 69 | 89 | 0 | |
| October | 33 | 66 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 24 | 48 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 19 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.5°C (50.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| February | 10.7°C (51.3°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| March | 11.1°C (52.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| April | 12.1°C (53.8°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 13.9°C (57.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 15.2°C (59.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| July | 15.4°C (59.7°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| August | 16.6°C (61.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| September | 16.8°C (62.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| October | 16.2°C (61.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 12.6°C (54.7°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| December | 10.5°C (50.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 109.2 mm | 13.0 | Very Wet |
| February | 60.8 mm | 8.0 | Wet |
| March | 95.7 mm | 12.8 | Wet |
| April | 23.0 mm | 4.4 | Dry |
| May | 16.5 mm | 4.2 | Dry |
| June | 2.0 mm | 1.4 | Dry |
| July | 0.2 mm | 0.2 | Dry |
| August | 0.7 mm | 1.4 | Dry |
| September | 3.8 mm | 2.8 | Dry |
| October | 35.4 mm | 4.4 | Moderate |
| November | 63.3 mm | 8.2 | Wet |
| December | 174.1 mm | 14.0 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.0 hrs | Good |
| February | 9.1 hrs | Excellent |
| March | 9.5 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 11.7 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 12.8 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 13.1 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 12.8 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 12.2 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 9.6 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 8.5 hrs | Excellent |
| December | 6.4 hrs | Good |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 12.4°C (54.3°F)
Rainfall: 45.1mm avg
Sunshine: 11.3 hrs/day
Humidity: 77.4%
Rainy Days: 7.1/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 15.7°C (60.3°F)
Rainfall: 1.0mm avg
Sunshine: 12.7 hrs/day
Humidity: 79.6%
Rainy Days: 1.0/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 15.2°C (59.4°F)
Rainfall: 34.2mm avg
Sunshine: 9.8 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.9%
Rainy Days: 5.1/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 10.6°C (51.1°F)
Rainfall: 114.7mm avg
Sunshine: 7.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 81.2%
Rainy Days: 11.7/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit San Francisco?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit San Francisco are August, July, June, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. August scores 80/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in San Francisco?
September is the hottest month with an average temperature of 16.8°C (62.2°F).
What is the coldest month in San Francisco?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 10.5°C (50.9°F).
When is the rainy season in San Francisco?
December is the wettest month with an average of 174.1mm of precipitation. San Francisco experiences about 75.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is July with 0.2mm.
What should I pack for a trip to San Francisco?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (September is hottest at 16.8°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 10.5°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as San Francisco receives 585.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
If you're planning outdoor activities in San Francisco, ignore the season — focus on the hour. I hiked Lands End in July at 2pm in a t-shirt and was shivering by 4pm when the fog rolled in. The 5°C temperature swing between coast and bay is real. Best running conditions: September-October, when the marine layer retreats and 22°C hits the city. Pack a windbreaker for any coastal trail, year-round. Marin Headlands is magnificent but windy; aim for 10am-2pm. February-March brings surprisingly green hills and empty trails — my favorite hiking window.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 37.77°, -122.42°. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles. Last updated: 2026-07-30.