San Francisco climate
United States
San Francisco climate can look simple on averages, but travel comfort is often driven by humidity, wind, and rain.
It helps to scan the year-round pattern for San Francisco before zooming into one month.
Climate facts
Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar
Avg low 7–10°C / high 13–16°C · Rainy days: 6–12 / ~50–120 mm (year-to-year variation)
Apr · May
Avg low 9–11°C / high 16–19°C · Rainy days: 3–7 / ~15–55 mm
Jun · Jul · Aug
Avg low 12–14°C / high 18–22°C · Rainy days: 0–3 / ~0–10 mm
Sep · Oct
Avg low 12–14°C / high 20–26°C (warm spells possible) · Rainy days: 1–4 / ~5–30 mm
How it tends to feel for travel
Rainier seasons can feel heavier even at similar temperatures, simply because you spend more time damp or under clouds.
For travel, what you remember is often variability (rain patterns, humidity, daily swings), not the average.
When it tends to fit
- • Once you see the year-round pattern, it’s easier to judge whether a month fits your style.
- • If you revisit the city, separating “seasonal itineraries” can save a lot of planning time.
When it may not fit
- • If you rely only on averages, you may be surprised by variability (squalls, wind, indoor AC).
- • In monsoon-like periods, the more your itinerary depends on outdoor walking, the higher the risk.
Outfit notes
This connects climate patterns to packing—without over-interpreting.
- • 🌫️ Key idea: San Francisco can feel cool, windy, and foggy even in summer. Packing only “summer clothes” is a common mistake.
- • 🧥 Default setup: a thin outer layer (windbreaker/hoodie/light jacket) gets used in almost every season.
- • 🌧️ Winter (Nov–Mar): rain can arrive in clusters. Windy days often favor a rain shell over an umbrella, and wet pavement makes footwear matter.
It looks simple on paper, but the day-to-day texture can vary.
Explore San Francisco
These pages are connected so you can compare conditions and decide for yourself.