best time to visit San Francisco

San Francisco’s Climate: Weather, Temperatures and the Best Time to Go

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When is the best time of year to visit San Francisco? Such a question undoubtedly deserves an exact answer. Instinctively, the first one that comes to mind is ALWAYS! In my opinion, San Francisco is one of those cities that would be worth seeing in any weather. Furthermore, Frisco is fortunate that it has a fairly pleasant climate without periods to avoid, as long as you plan accordingly.

If you plan to visit San Francisco in the summer, don’t just pack light clothing (as many do…). I can tell you from experience that you should be ready for any weather. I was in San Francisco in September (one of the most suitable months for the visit, as we’ll see) and I was forced to constantly take off and put back on my sweatshirt and anorak.

While it may be alright to wear short sleeves in the downtown area, as soon as you approached the Golden Gate Bridge or if you climb up the hills (for example, if you go to Coit Tower in San Francisco at the top of Telegraph Hill), you will have to put on your windbreaker immediately… not to mention that the neighborhoods overlooking the ocean are exposed to the ocean breeze.

That said, I want to give you some more specific information about the climate of San Francisco. Before you begin planning your trip, it is good to know what the temperatures are like, so that you do not risk arriving unprepared. In addition, if you are organizing a road trip, you have to take into account that the climate in California is very variable, which is why temperatures can change quickly even if you travel short distances.

The Climate of San Francisco

Climate of San FranciscoSan Francisco’s climate is ideal both for those who can’t stand the scorching heat and for those who don’t like frigid temperatures. You can say that San Francisco has a temperate climate, with long cool summers and mild winters.

  • Summer is from June to September. There are few really hot days in a year and they are sometime between August and October, especially in September. Temperatures are mitigated by ocean currents. In the mornings, the fog covers the bay. During the year, the hottest temperatures (about 73°) are in September, but the climate in October and August is fairly warm and you can go around wearing short sleeves in some areas (but don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt in your backpack…). During the summer months, the coldest it can get is between 50° and 54°, while the rainfall is mainly concentrated between September and October, and it rains 2-3 days at most each month.
  • San Francisco’s climate is mild even during the winter, which is more like a prolonged autumn. The lows almost never fall below zero during the day and the highs are between 54° and 59°. It is not at all impossible that in February or March, during the hottest hours of the day, you can take off your sweatshirt and stay in short sleeves, even if – when you are preparing your suitcase – it is obviously necessary to bring clothing suitable for the cold and windy weather that is common in this area and is the norm during this time of year. It gets cold at night, and the temperatures may drop below zero. Fog City, as San Francisco is called, is not as foggy in the winter months, so it’s not uncommon to get a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rainfall is much more frequent in winter, about 8 to 10 days each month, especially from December to February.
  • During the spring months, the weather is agreeable, but it is a bit fickle at the same time. Rainfall is less frequent, temperatures rise gradually to 46-50° (min) and 63-66° (max). It is often sunny, but temperatures drop quickly in the afternoon hours and if you don’t dress in layers, you might have an unpleasant surprise. It can still be very chilly at night in the spring.

Can you swim?

The water temperature in the San Francisco Bay Area varies between 53° and 57° during the year. Do you really want to dive into the icy waters of the ocean? Ocean Beach has a beautiful, unspoiled landscape – it is quite strange for a city on the beach in California!

Surroundings of San Francisco

It is very common to go on excursions from San Francisco during West Coast road trips. When traveling around the West Coast, it is good to pay attention to temperature changes. As you go east (Yosemite), south (San Jose), and north (Napa Valley), temperatures can change rapidly depending on the season.

Best Time of the Year to Visit San Francisco

Taking into account the rainiest periods and sudden changes in climate within 24 hours in San Francisco, we can say that the best time to visit the city is from May to September.


Our Tip:
Looking for accommodations for your trip from California to other parts of the Southwest? Read our guide that contains reviews of hotels and strategic tips for finding accommodations near major attractions: Where to Stay: Our Tips for the SouthWest Area

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

bernardo pacini
Bernardo Pacini

I am an enthusiastic traveler. I have also published some poetry. Besides traveling, my interests include literature, prog music and good food,.

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