When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

The most comfortable stretch is June to September, when average highs run 66 to 69 degrees F with 0 to 1 rainy days a month. October is the hottest month at 70 degrees F on average, and January the coolest at 57 degrees F.

What is the rainiest month in San Francisco?

December, with roughly 13 days of rain. The driest is June, with about 0. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.

How warm does it get in San Francisco?

July averages 66 degrees F by day and 56 degrees F at night, and January averages 57 degrees F and 47 degrees F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.

How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in San Francisco?

Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

San Francisco: Best Time to Visit & Things to Do

Updated September 23, 2026. Prices and availability come live from the partners when you click; ratings are re-checked on the date shown in the note at the end of the page.

Top-rated tours in San Francisco

Up to 20% offSan Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App★ 4.54,384 reviews→ San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops★ 4.64,090 reviews→ San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour)★ 4.74,038 reviews→ San Francisco: California Sunset Cruise (2-hour)★ 4.62,608 reviews→

See all things to do in San Francisco → More tours on Viator →

Planning your trip to San Francisco

Best time to visit

September and October are often the warmest and clearest, while summer brings cool fog to parts of the city. Pack layers at any time of year.

How many days you need

Three to four days covers the bridge, the waterfront, several neighborhoods and a day trip to the wine country or the redwoods. Book popular island and prison tours well ahead, as they can sell out.

Getting around

The city is hilly, so walking can be tiring. Buses, light rail, the cable cars and the regional train fill in, and rideshares help with the steepest areas. Do not leave belongings visible in a parked car, since break-ins are a known issue.

What to skip

The main pier area is the most tourist-oriented part of the city. Visit briefly, and spend more time in neighborhoods such as the Mission or the Presidio.

Where to stay in San Francisco

Hotels and vacation rentals around San Francisco with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.

Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Best time to visit San Francisco

The most comfortable months in San Francisco are June to September, with average daytime highs of 66 to 69°F and 0 to 1 rainy days a month. October is the hottest month, averaging 70°F, and January the coolest at 57°F. December sees the most rain, around 13 days, while June is the driest with about 0.

Jan57°47°11 d

Feb58°46°8 d

Mar58°48°12 d

Apr60°50°4 d

May63°52°4 d

Jun66°55°0 d

Jul66°56°0 d

Aug68°58°0 d

Sep69°58°1 d

Oct70°55°2 d

Nov62°50°6 d

Dec57°47°13 d

Average daily high / low and days with rain, from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted months are the pick above.

Plan the rest of your trip to San Francisco

🏨Hotels in San FranciscoCompare hotels and apartments through our partner RateHawk. 🚗Car rental in San FranciscoCompare car rental prices in San Francisco with Discover Cars. 🎟️What’s on in San FranciscoSee upcoming concerts, sports and shows from Ticketmaster. 🎢Theme parks and attraction ticketsTickets for top attractions and theme parks in San Francisco, from Attractiontix. 🎫Go City pass for San FranciscoOne pass for many top attractions, so you save on entry to the sights you want. 🔥 10% off through Sept 30. 🎟️Museum and attraction ticketsSkip-the-line tickets for top sights in San Francisco, from Tiqets. 🧭Guided tours of San FranciscoExpert-led small-group and private tours from ExperienceFirst. 👻Ghost tours in San FranciscoHaunted history walks, pub crawls and ghost hunts after dark, from US Ghost Adventures. ✈️Flights to San FranciscoCompare airfares on Trip.com and search your route. 🛎️Hotels in San Francisco on Trip.comCompare hotels and homes in San Francisco for your dates. 🏩Hotels in San Francisco on ExpediaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Expedia for your dates. 🎫Is a city pass worth it?How to tell if a sightseeing pass will save you money in San Francisco, before you buy. 🍝Eating near the big sightsHow to avoid tourist-trap restaurants near San Francisco’s landmarks and find a better meal nearby. 🎡Things to do in San Francisco on ExpediaTours, tickets and activities you can book on Expedia. 🏡Vacation rentals in San Francisco on VrboWhole homes, villas and apartments with room for everyone. 🚖Airport transfer in San FranciscoPre-book a driver who meets you at arrivals, from Welcome Pickups. 🧭Transfer, taxi or rideshare?Our guide to choosing the best ride from the airport into San Francisco. 🧳Luggage storage in San FranciscoDrop your bags at a nearby shop or hotel and explore hands-free, with Radical Storage. 🙋Private local guideCustomizable private tours with vetted local guides from GoWithGuide. 📱eSIM data planGet mobile data before you land, with Airalo. 📶eSIM, roaming or local SIM?Our guide to staying connected on a short trip to San Francisco. 🛡️Travel insuranceCompare travel medical and cancellation cover with HelloSafe. ⏱️Flight delayed or cancelled?Check if you are owed compensation, with AirHelp. ✦Ask our AI conciergeTell us how many days you have and what you enjoy, and get a plan for San Francisco. 🏨Hotels in San Francisco on AgodaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Agoda, via our partner Stay22.🔎Compare hotels in San Francisco on KAYAKSearch and compare hundreds of hotel sites at once, via our partner Stay22.🛂Do you need a visa for San Francisco, United States?Check entry requirements and apply online with eVisas.com, a private visa service (service fee applies).

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Closest guides to San Francisco

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Planning guides

Cruise or all-inclusive resort?Airport transfer or rental car?What travel insurance actually pays When to book flights and hotels

San Francisco: common questions

When is the best time to visit San Francisco?: The most comfortable stretch is June to September, when average highs run 66 to 69°F with 0 to 1 rainy days a month. October is the hottest month at 70°F on average, and January the coolest at 57°F.
What is the rainiest month in San Francisco?: December, with roughly 13 days of rain. The driest is June, with about 0. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.
How warm does it get in San Francisco?: July averages 66°F by day and 56°F at night, and January averages 57°F and 47°F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.
How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in San Francisco?: Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

Some links on this page are sponsored: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings and review counts come from GetYourGuide and were last checked on September 23, 2026. Prices, availability and rules are set by the providers and change often. See our affiliate disclosure.