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One of the first things you learn about San Francisco is that the city plays by its own weather rules. You can start your morning in mist so heavy it feels like rain, then finish the day basking in the sunshine with the Golden Gate glowing in front of you. After living in California for more than 30 years and visiting San Francisco in every season, I’ve experienced it all from cherry blossoms in the Japanese Tea Garden and tulips blooming in Queen Wilhelmina’s Garden to fog so thick it swallowed the skyline.
Suppose you’re wondering when the best time to visit San Francisco is. In that case, I’ll break down the city’s typical weather by season, the pros and cons of visiting during each time of year and give insider tips on festivals, food and what to pack so that you can choose the perfect moment for your own Bay Area adventure.
When is the Best Time to Visit San Francisco?
If you ask ten locals this question, you’ll probably get ten different answers. That’s because the best time depends on what you’re looking for: sunshine, fewer crowds, or the lowest hotel rates.
That said, my favorite time of the year to visit San Francisco is September and October. After months of chilly mornings and fog-draped afternoons, fall usually brings clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds.
However, other seasons can be just as lovely, so don’t count them out just yet. Spring means tulips and cherry blossoms, Summer brings vibrant festivals (and a bit of that famous fog locals named Karl the Fog), and Winter offers deals and cozy city vibes. Every season has its charm; you just need to know what to expect.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
If you’re visiting San Francisco without a car, staying near Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the best choices. Not only is it safe and walkable, but you’ll be steps away from iconic attractions like Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the ferry to Alcatraz. It’s also well-connected to public transportation, including Muni, cable cars, and the F-line streetcar—making it easy to explore other neighborhoods like North Beach, Chinatown, and Union Square without hassle.
Best Budget Option: Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf
✨Boutique-style hotel with a fun, retro vibe
✨Spacious rooms with luxe touches like Frette linens and rain showers
✨Pet-friendly and includes perks like evening wine hour
Best Mid-Range Option: The Argonaut
✨Nautical-themed hotel inside a historic brick warehouse
✨Right on the waterfront with sweeping views of the bay
✨Family-friendly and just steps from the cable car turnaround
Best Luxury Option: The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
✨Luxury residences with full kitchens and living space—great for families or longer stays
✨Located within Ghirardelli Square itself, with views of the bay and Alcatraz
✨Offers valet parking, concierge service, and a daily wine & cheese hour
San Francisco Weather By Season
San Francisco’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. The city’s location between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay creates a microclimate that can change rapidly. You might experience several seasons’ worth of weather in one day. I experienced this during my last visit, starting my day in thick fog that burned off by afternoon to reveal a sunny afternoon and ended up shivering in the evening breeze.
Spring in San Francisco (March – May)
Springtime in San Francisco is a season of soft light, fresh blooms, and just enough warmth to make strolling the city’s neighborhoods feel inviting. While mornings can still be cool and damp, the afternoons often brighten up. In fact, when I visited in March, I shed my jacket because it was hot and in the mid-80s Fahrenheit.
One of my favorite Springtime traditions is visiting the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, where the cherry blossoms create a pink-and-white canopy that feels straight out of a postcard. A short walk away, you’ll find the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, where rows of tulips bloom at the base of the park’s windmill. I felt like I was visiting two different countries in the same afternoon.
Spring is also a smart time to visit if you’d like to avoid the peak Summer crowds. While there may be occasional showers, the mild weather makes it an excellent season for sightseeing, photography, and leisurely exploration. Plus, hotel prices are often more reasonable than in the height of Summer or early Fall.
Spring Snapshot
- Temperatures: Mid-50s to Mid-60s °F (12–18°C)
- Occasional rain, but mostly mild
- Best for: gardens in bloom, fewer crowds, pleasant city walks
Summer in San Francisco (June – August)
When most people picture Summer, they imagine warm, sunny days, but San Francisco flips that script. While the rest of California basks in heat, the city is wrapped in its famous fog, thanks to cool Pacific air colliding with inland warmth.
Locals even call it “June Gloom,” “No Sky July,” and “Fogust.” When most people picture summer, they imagine warm, sunny days, but San Francisco flips that script. While the rest of California basks in heat, the city is wrapped in its famous fog, thanks to cool Pacific air colliding with inland warmth.
“The coldest Winter I ever spent was a Summer in San Francisco”
Mark Twain
That said, Summer has its perks. It’s festival season with music festivals in Golden Gate Park and street fairs in nearly every neighborhood. Days are long, giving you more daylight for sightseeing, even if you’ll want a jacket in hand.
If you plan to visit during Summer, be prepared for crowds. This is peak tourist season, which means higher prices for hotels and more lines at popular attractions like Alcatraz and the cable cars. Still, if you don’t mind the fog and want to soak up the city’s lively energy, Summer can be a memorable time to experience San Francisco.
Summer Snapshot
- Temperatures: Mid-50s to Mid-60s °F (12–18°C)
- Frequent fog and chilly breezes
- Best for: festivals, long daylight hours, lively atmosphere
Fall in San Francisco (September – November)
If you want to experience San Francisco at its very best, Fall is the time to go. September and October are local’s favorite months and mine too due to the warm afternoons, crisp evenings and clear blue skies that show off the Golden Gate Bridge in all its glory. After a Summer of fog, the city finally opens up with sunshine and comfortable temperatures. It’s the perfect season for outdoor adventures.
“I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay, watchin’ the tide roll away”
Otis Redding
Falls also brings plenty of excitement. October is home to Fleet Week, when the Blue Angels perform over the bay and nearby wine country is in harvest season, ideal for pairing a San Francisco getaway with a day trip to Napa.
Fall Snapshot
- Temperatures: Mid-60s to Low-70s °F (18–23°C)
- Sunny, clear days with little fog
- Best for: Golden Gate views, bay cruises, wine country day trips
Winter in San Francisco (December – February)
Winter in San Francisco is the city’s quiet season as it’s cooler, wetter and far less crowded than the rest of the year. While you’ll want to pack an umbrella or rain slicker, the rain usually comes in short burst rather than all-day downpours, leaving plenty of time to explore between showers.
This is also the best season for budget-conscious travelers. Hotel rates often dip in January and February and attractions like Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and the cable cars are easier to enjoy without peak-season lines. If you’re looking for a more relaxed visit (and don’t mind layering up), Winter is a smart choice.
Winter also has its own unique charm. The city lights up for the holidays with festive decorations in Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. In February, Chinese New Year is celebrated in Chinatown with parades, fireworks and cultural performances, which is one of the largest outside of Asia. For nature lovers, Winter is prime whale watching season as gray whales migrate along the coast.
Winter Snapshot
- Temperatures: Upper-40s to Mid-50s °F (9–13°C)
- Rainiest season, but fewer tourists
- Best for: hotel deals, festive holidays, Chinese New Year, whale watching
Best Time for Specific Experiences
San Francisco’s charm shifts with the seasons and the best time to visit often depends on what you want to do most. Here’s a breakdown of when of when to plan your trip.
Best Time for Sightseeing & Photography
If your dream is that postcard-perfect shot of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fall is unbeatable. This is also the ideal season for bay cruises under the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz tours and day trips to Sausalito and Muir Woods. Most of the city’s rain falls between November and March, with January and February averaging the most rainfall, between 3.6 and 4.7 inches.
Best Time for Festivals and Events
San Francisco’s calendar is packed year-round with exciting events. From Tulip Day in Union Square and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade (which I have driven my decorated car in and my daughter’s dance school won 2nd place, but that’s a story for another day) in March to the Outside Lands music festival in August to the Chinese New Years Parade in February to Fleet Week in October, there’s always something happening.
Check the city’s event calendar and plan your visit around what interests you most.
Best Time for Food Tours
Fall is especially ideal for guided food tours when you can stroll between tastings without bundling up too much. With that said, I went in July and just wore a sweater that I could shed in the late afternoon when it warmed up.
Best Food Tour
Food is always in season, whether you’re savoring fortune cookies and dim sum in Chinatown or gelato and that unforgettable Nepalese pizza baked in an imported Italian oven. This is my favorite food and historical walking tour, which offers the best full meals, not just bites, plus a walking tour of Chinatown and Little Italy led by a fun local guide. Come hungry!
➡️You can book with the same tour company that I did.
I highly recommend them!
Best Time for Sea Lion Spotting
One of the most beloved sights in San Francisco is the playful sea lions lounging at Pier 39. While their numbers vary, you can usually spot them year-round. However, the best time to view them in numbers is from late Fall through Spring. After breeding season wraps up in Southern California, hundreds of sea lions make their way back to the Bay.
I enjoyed hearing them barking at one another and splashing and piling onto the floating docks during my visit last July and there was still a good number of them to keep visitors entertained.
Best Time for Whale Watching
For nature lovers, Winter and Spring bring gray whale migrations along the Northern California coast. Book a sunset whale watching tour from nearby spots in Monterey for a chance to spot these giants up close.
Best Time for Outdoor Activities
If you’re planning to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, hike Lands End or picnic in Golden Gate Park, stick with Fall for the sunniest and most comfortable conditions. Spring is a close second with blooming gardens in Golden Gate Park and mild weather.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit San Francisco?
If budget is your top priority, the best time to visit San Francisco is during Winter, in particularly January and February. After the holiday season winds down, hotel prices drop significantly, flights are often more affordable and popular attractions are less crowded.
While you’ll need to pack for cooler, wetter weather, the trade-off is worth it if you’re looking for value. Many of the city’s best experiences, like food tours, museums or cozy meals in Chinatown or North Beach can be enjoyed rain or shine.
Insider Money- Saving Tips:
- Consider pairing your Winter visit with free or low-cost activities such as strolling Crissy Field for Golden Gate views, exploring Golden Gate Park’s many trails, or timing your trip around February’s Chinese New Year festivities for an unforgettable cultural experience at no extra cost.
- The Cable Car Museum (Mason and Washington- Nob Hill) is always Free to visit.
- The Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F Kennedy Dr – Golden Gate Park) is Free every first Tuesday of the month.
- The Japanese Tea Garden (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive– Golden Gate Park) has a Free hour from 9:00am – 10:00am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- The San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Ave– Golden Gate Park) is Free Daily from 7:30am – 9:00am & on the second Tuesday of every month.
- The Clipper Card- If you’re planning to use public transportation a lot, the Clipper Card is a must-have. It works on MUNI, BART, cable cars, ferries, and more, so you can easily hop between systems without buying separate tickets each time. You’ll pay less than the regular cash fare, and it’s super convenient to reload or use right from your phone. It’s a great way to save money and skip the hassle while exploring the city.
What to Pack for San Francisco (Any Season)
If there’s one packing rule for San Francisco, it’s to dress in layers. The city’s famous microclimates mean you might start your morning in fog so thick it feels like drizzle and end your day basking in golden sunshine. Having options makes all the difference in staying comfortable.
Layering Essentials:
- Light jacket or fleece- Even in Summer, evenings can be chilly. This is my favorite Columbia fleece for women that I wear everywhere. Here’s my pick for men.
- Top-Rated Anti-theft Cross-body bag– Perfect for walking around the city
- Comfortable walking shoes (for women) & (for men)- San Francisco’s hills aren’t just famous, they’re steep
Seasonal Extras:
- Spring- Umbrella or light packable rain jacket for women and light packable rain jacket for men for surprise showers
- Summer- Sunglasses and powder sunscreen because even with the fog, the UV rays sneak through
Final Thoughts
Each season has its own unique rhythm and the best time to visit depends on what you value the most. Spring brings mild weather, cherry blossoms and tulips in bloom. Summer has festivals, long days and fog. Fall feels more like Summer than Summer itself, with sunny skies and warm afternoons and just so happens to be my favorite time of year to visit. However, Winter typically sees fewer crowds and better prices. No matter when you choose to visit, San Francisco has a way of charming you and you’ll soon be planning a return visit.
