The Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco, CA

Last updated on February 27th, 2025 at 05:50 pm

San Francisco is a great place to visit for unique architecture, lively neighborhoods, and delicious international cuisine. After living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the majority of my life, with a brief hiatus to Detroit and a year spent abroad, I believe that any time of year is a good time to visit this colorful city.

That being said, I also believe in managing expectations when it comes to the weather in San Francisco. Certain times of the year have much more pleasant temperatures for sightseeing than others. In this post, I’ll share with you the best time of year to visit San Francisco (hint: it’s not summer) and things to do in San Francisco, depending on when you plan your trip! 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to make a purchase or booking. For more, check out my disclosure. 

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco?

Let’s get this question answered right off the bat. The best time of year to visit San Francisco is in the Fall, specifically September and October. This time of year is what gets called our Indian summer, and you’ll get the California weather you dream of on a winter’s day. This time of year, the average temperature is between 65-70 degrees with clear skies. Plus, the summer tourist crowds have thinned out so accommodation prices are more reasonable. If you can, plan your trip to San Francisco for early fall. Check out this three-day San Francisco itinerary to help you plan your fall trip!

Peak Tourist Season in San Francisco

While San Francisco has the best weather and clearest skies during the fall, most people visit during the summer. I’ve heard numerous complaints from first-time visitors in June and July, who thought they’d get a hot California getaway only to realize they need to buy a coat and a beanie to enjoy the day.

Summer is typically when our friend, and tourist attraction, Karl the fog rolls in, which brings colder temperatures than expected. However, if you tailor your San Francisco packing list for this, I don’t see why you shouldn’t have a great time here! Yes, it will be crowded, and prices will be higher, but there are still many fun things going on in the city that you can add to your San Francisco bucket list.

Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco by Season and Month 

Now that you know that the peak travel season is different than the best time of year to visit San Francisco, let’s discuss what to expect throughout the year by season and month.

Winter in San Francisco

San Francisco’s winter months are from December to February, and they bring the wettest weather and coldest months of the year. San Francisco typically sees the most rainfall in the winter season. The temperatures range from high 30s overnight to low 60s during the day. When the breeze picks up off the water, it feels downright freezing! 

However, San Francisco is beautiful in the winter and there are plenty of fun things to do on a rainy San Francisco day. The city decorates well for the holiday season, with ice rinks in neighborhoods, homes that go all out with decorations, and cable cars that even get dressed up for the holidays.

The crowds are typically very low so it’s a good time to see tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island or take a day trip to Muir Woods. As it’s the low tourist season, you’ll see lower prices for accommodation (except during the holidays).

PS: The sunsets during San Francisco winters are amazing! This blog post shares my favorite places to catch a San Francisco sunset.

Things to Do in December in San Francisco

If you’re planning your visit to San Francisco in December get ready for some amazing holiday events. Head to the War Memorial to see the famous Nutcracker Ballet, join the SantaCon pub crawl, enjoy a holiday themed bar at the Summer Place, or go ice skating in Union Square. 

The San Francisco Symphony performs holiday-themed concerts. Homes in various neighborhoods go all out on Christmas lights. Plus, nothing beats an Irish Coffee from the Buena Vista Cafe on a chilly December evening while waiting to ride the cable car. 

Things to Do in January in San Francisco 

With the weather still cold, it’s a good time to lighten things up with a comedy show during San Francisco Sketch Fest. This comedy festival is celebrating its 20th year in 2023. It hosts improv, comedy shows, and stand-up shows in various venues throughout the city over a two-week period at the end of January. 

You can participate in the Bay Area Brew Fest if you enjoy beer. It’s held at Fort Mason to sample over 50 breweries, eat from various food trucks, and enjoy live music.

Also held at Fort Mason is the FOG Design and Art fair that showcases international galleries and contemporary designers.

Things to Do in February in San Francisco

February in San Francisco continues to see cold days, but there are still fun things to do! Head to Chinatown for the Chinese New Year Parade. Or if you like discovering new music head to the Noise Pop Music Festival at the end of the month! This is where bands such as the White Stripes and Death Cab for Cutie once played. You might hear the next big artists!

Spring in San Francisco

San Francisco’s spring season is from March to May and is considered our shoulder season for tourism. This is a great time to visit San Francisco as many flowers will begin to bloom, making the iconic Victorians even more beautiful. 

In terms of weather, rainy days are still a possibility. However, the temperatures begin to rise, ranging from the low 50s overnight to the high 60s during the day. It’s a great time of year to go on long walks throughout the city as it starts to stay light out later in the day..

As it’s shoulder season, expect fewer crowds and reasonable accommodation prices. If you haven’t been to Alcatraz yet, go now! 

Things to Do in March in San Francisco

San Francisco is home to a large population of Irish immigrants, so St. Patrick’s Day is done right. The St. Patrick’s Day parade and associated festivities draw over 100,000 visitors each year. It’s held on a weekend (you can find the information here) and runs from 2nd and Market to Civic Center Plaza.

If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, head to the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park. In early spring, the Magnolias begin to bloom, and it is quite the gorgeous sight to see. 

Things to Do in April in San Francisco

Speaking of flowers in bloom, head to Japantown for the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. In addition to celebrating the pink blooms you’ll see, there are traditional Japanese artists and delicious food to try. You can also see Cherry Blossoms in bloom at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

If you’re a movie buff, the world-renowned San Francisco International Film Festival takes place over two weeks in April. The festival showcases over 150 films from over 50 countries. Events are typically held in the famous Castro Theater in the Castro neighborhood and the Kabuki Theater in Japantown.  

Things to Do in May in San Francisco

May is my favorite month in San Francisco, but I could be biased. It’s also my birthday month, so I tend to get out and enjoy the restaurants and other events in the city more than other months!

May brings mild temperatures, and the days are getting longer, so it’s the perfect time for outdoor activities!

A unique event to experience is the Bay to Breakers race. You can walk, jog, run, or simply watch this festive 12k race. It starts on the Embarcadero (by the Bay) and ends at the Great Highway (by the ocean, aka Breakers). Many people dress up in themed costumes, while others decide to wear nothing at all.

Another colorful event in San Francisco is Carnaval, which takes place at the end of the month in the Mission. It’s a two-day festival celebrating Latin American music that culminates with a Grand Parade on Sunday. 

Summer in San Francisco 

As mentioned above, the summer months (June-August) are the peak tourist season in San Francisco, even though the weather is some of the “worst” throughout the year. While the temperatures are mild, ranging from the high 50s to sometimes 70, it’s our dear friend Karl the fog that makes San Francisco’s weather unpredictable.

Another note about San Francisco weather is that we have microclimates. Out by the beach, it is typically colder and shrouded in fog, while the Mission District, specifically Dolores Park, will be sunny. So maybe all you’ll have to do is head to a different neighborhood a few blocks away to get some better weather!

Crowds will be large in the city’s main tourist areas and you’ll likely have a long wait in line to ride the cable cars. Since it’s peak season, hotel prices will jump.

However, summer is a fun time in the city. There are plenty of events to fill up your itinerary and it’s a good time of year to take a road trip from San Francisco to check out other beautiful places in California.

Things to Do in June in San Francisco

June is peak street festival time in San Francisco. There are so many street fairs throughout the city in the summer they probably deserve their own blog post. Every neighborhood seems to have its own festival that reflects its personality. The North Beach Festival celebrates the food of the historically Italian neighborhood, North Beach. The city’s oldest street festival is the Union Street Festival which celebrates art and music. 

San Francisco was, and still is, an integral part of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. As such, the city celebrates its LGBTQ+ Pride and history with the Pride Parade and associated festivities. The Pride Parade begins at Market and The Embarcadero and ends at Civic Center.

Things to Do in July in San Francisco

A fun summer activity in San Francisco is to attend a baseball game at Oracle Park. While the Giants have up-and-down seasons, even if the game isn’t good, the food and views will be!

Also in July, take in a free outdoor concert at Stern Grove or an outdoor movie night in one of San Francisco’s many parks with Sundown Cinema. 

Things to Do in August in San Francisco

In August, two big events happen in San Francisco: Outside Lands and Burning Man.

Outside Lands is a three-day music festival in Golden Gate Park. I’ve gone once and had a really great time! However, I typically leave the city during the weekend it’s held because it’s in my neighborhood, and the influx of people is insane! But if you’re into music and enjoy festivals, this is one to check out.

Burning Man is a week-long festival in San Francisco at Baker Beach and has since moved to the desert. The city EMPTIES out during Burning Man as most of the population heads off to the desert. This means, it’s a great time to visit San Francisco in the summer without crowds. You may also be able to find better hotel prices!

Fall in San Francisco

Fall, from September to early November, is the best time of year in San Francisco. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, with October being the warmest month of the year! The temperatures remain the same as in the summer, but since the fog typically stays away, it actually feels like it’s 70 outside!

The summer crowds will begin to thin out, allowing accommodation prices to drop a bit. In addition to exploring San Francisco, this is a good time of year to go wine tasting in Napa Valley, Healdsburg, or head to Lake Tahoe for a weekend of hiking.

Things to Do in September in San Francisco

In September, the crowds begin to disperse after Labor Day Weekend. But there are still plenty of fun things to add to your San Francisco itinerary. 

The Folsom Street Fair celebrates all things kink, leather, and sexual liberation. If you’re in the city this weekend, you might see some interesting things or want to join in on the fun. 

Also occurring in September is the Fringe Festival, a theater festival with over 100 performances in small venues throughout the city including comedy and cabaret. You may even see unofficial performances in parks, bars, or buses.  

Things to Do in October in San Francisco

October is the best month to visit San Francisco. And don’t worry, just because it’s fall doesn’t mean that there aren’t things to fill out your itinerary!

First up is the completely FREE three-day music festival in Golden Gate Park: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. I attended for the first time this year and had a blast checking out new, to me, music. It’s a chill vibe and since it’s free, you can pop in and out without feeling like you need to commit to an entire weekend because you bought expensive tickets!

Fleet Week also takes place in October, culminating with a weekend of the Blue Angels performing over the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll hear them practicing all week long! Unfortunately, the fog rolled in unusually thick this past year and the show was canceled. However, it’s quite the sight to see when the weather is cooperating!

A unique event at Ocean Beach is the Sand Castle Classic where teams head to Ocean Beach to create huge sand castles. There are also food trucks and live music throughout the day to keep you entertained at one of San Francisco’s beautiful beaches. 

Things to Do in November in San Francisco

The fairs don’t stop in the summer! The Renegade Craft Fair takes over Fort Mason where you can find unique clothes, jewelry, art, and other gifts. It’s a great place to start your holiday shopping! 

Illuminate SF begins in November and continues through January. Since the nights are so long, this gives you something to do once the sun sets at 4:00! Throughout the city are various art and light installations. Some are akin to neon signs while others are huge statues.

Christmas Tree lightings will also begin in November as the city decorates for the holiday season. 

Now that you know the best time of year to visit San Francisco and all of the unique events in the city throughout the year, when will you plan your trip?

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