Best Time To Visit San Francisco
San Francisco, my home for the past 12 years, is a lovely city with a colorful history, iconic architecture, and interesting neighborhoods. It’s also quite a tricky place when it comes to timing a visit here to avoid ‘Karl the Fog’, dreary and rainy days, and avoiding the crowds.
After living here for 10 years, I can definitely say that the best time to visit San Francisco is in the fall (late August through early November) when the ‘Indian Summer’ hits the area for perfect temperatures, blue skies, fewer crowds, and better deals everywhere vs peak summer season.
weather
San Francisco is famous for the fog that suddenly rolls in on a sunny day. Locals have lovingly named the fog ‘Karl’ - it even has its own Twitter account @karlthefog!
Dressing in layers is a must since the temperature can drop 10-20 degrees when the fog rolls in suddenly. In fact, summers (June - early Aug) here are actually some of the city’s coldest months.
The rainy season usually runs from late November to April. with May and June having a decent number of misty-like conditions. September through early November are the city’s warmest months with blue skies and not too much wind.
Karl the Fog
Crowds
Despite the cool temperatures, summer is actually peak season in San Francisco. If you want to avoid the crowds, come in the fall, during Christmas week, or during Burning Man.
Coit Tower
Prices
You’ll get the best prices in the winter, but you’ll also run the highest chances of rain and cold temperatures. But, the weather has been quite odd the past 5 years, with the winters here being quite sunny and warm.. so you never know. Also, you’ll want to avoid being in town when there’s a major conference like Dreamforce happening.
Iconic SF Streets
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By Month
January
Part of the ‘rainy season’ of San Francisco, the city is quite sleepy and empty with the residents coming back from the holidays. You’ll encounter some rain but some days it’ll be warm with blue skies.
SF Sketchfest - a fantastic comedy festival featuring some of nation’s best comedians
Restaurant Week - many of the city’s top restaurants offer special prix-fixe menus
Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show - over 2,000 dogs and 175+ breeds
February
Still part of the ‘rainy season’, this is a good time to visit for cheaper prices and barely any tourists. Chinese New Years is a great time to be around and some of city’s cherry blossoms start to bloom.
Chinese New Years Celebrations - there’s the annual parade, but the impromptu firecrackers being set off at Jackson and Grant during one of the nights of the Chinese New Years week is where the real party is at!
SF Beer Week - local craft beer is celebrated with hundreds of beer-centric events
San Francisco Half Marathon & 5K - one of the world’s most scenic runs, with a course throughout Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean
March
The rainy days continue but some days you start to see warmer temperatures. Many spring blossoms start to appear around the city. You’ll also see a slight increase in hotel rates during this time.
Macy’s Flower Show - two week celebration celebrating floral traditions
St. Patricks Day Festival - one of the city’s largest parades, celebrate with live music and Irish cuisine
SF Botanical Garden Magnolia Bloom - witness the amazing magnolias in bloom in the city’s premier botanical garden
Sonoma International Film Festival - over 100 hand selected films screened in start of the art venues within walking distance of Sonoma Plaza
April
The warm weather begins to arrive in the city with fewer rainy days. People start to feel more cheery as days get sunnier and warmer. Rates are going up but this would be one of the better months to visit.
Union Street Spring Celebration - called the ‘biggest little parade in San Francisco', over 30,000 people show up to celebrate Spring
International Film Festival - an amazing showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation
May
Continuing the warm weather from April with clear skies it’s a great time to visit, although the fog does tend to roll in for days at a time.
Bay To Breakers - one of the best events to attend if you really want to get a feel for the culture of San Francisco. Basically, in other cities people dress up to look cool or show off but San Franciscans love nothing better than to express themselves creatively in interesting costumes.
Carnaval in the Mission District - San Francisco’s version of Mardi Gras, this is one of the city’s largest public events complete with Carnaval dancers and a festive Sunday parade.
June
Some might think of summer as warm days, but San Francisco starts to see days where fog blankets the city. Certain neighborhoods like the Mission or Potrero though, will have perfect weather due to the micro-climates in San Francisco. Peak season is beginning and rates rise accordingly.
It’s street fair time! Some of the most famous ones are Haight Ashbury Street Fair, North Beach Festival, Union Street Music Festival, and SF Jazz Festival.
LGBTQ Pride Weekend
July
Cold weather and foggy weather continue in certain parts of the city. It’s peak season with peak crowds and high prices.
Renegade Craft Fair - this large fair brings together a large number of artists from the West Coast to show off their works for sale.
San Francisco Marathon - a veritable ‘best of San Francisco’ course - you’ll run along the Embarcadero, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Golden Gate Park, and then traverse through famous neighborhoods.
SF Jewish Film Festival - showing the diversity of Jewish culture, this film festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind.
August
Warmer temperatures start to appear in the city while the fog starts to disappear. The last half of August is when you start to see a dip in the crowds.
Outside Lands Music Festival - located in the beautiful Golden Gate Park, this music festival is a great blend of delicious food, wine, music, and tech.
Burning Man - a week long escapade in the desert where you’ll experience a dusty utopia and come back a changed person.
September
This is when the Indian Summer begins and the weather is almost guaranteed to be perfect. You’ll see warm days, clear skies, and barely any fog. The tourists start to thin out as well, meaning lower prices and less crowds. But, you’ll want to avoid being in SF when the Salesforce Dreamforce conference is in town.
Folsom Street Fair - an adult’s fair, this is the world’s largest festish, alternative, and leather street fair. About 400,000 attend this - you’ll definitely be seeing things you never thought you’d see.
Fringe Festival - a theater festival with over 40 shows covering comedy, cabaret, alternative, and classic theater.
October
Another great month to be here for fantastic weather, less crowds, and affordable hotel rates. You’ll also see way more locals outdoors enjoying the amazing weather.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival - a free music festival with a great lineup and lots of weed
SF Fleet Week - The US Navy show up to town with incredible air shows featuring the Blue Angels
Litquake - join the Bay Area’s finest writers for a week of readings, discussions, films, and more
Halloween - if you know locals, definitely go with them to a Halloween House Party, SF style!
November
About halfway through November, the rain starts to roll in along with colder temperatures. It’s a perfect time to visit if you want cheaper prices, almost no crowds, and decent weather.
Day of the Dead in the Mission - experience the parade and witness some interesting costumes that celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Illuminate SF Festival - more than a dozen light art installations appear across the city
Union Square Tree Lighting - see the Macy’s Great Tree lit with over 1,500 ornaments
December
Christmas Holiday Season is all over the city with a jump in tourism for most of the month. Rainy days and cold weather are common, but warm clear days are sprinkled throughout. Prices jump up a bit this month.
All the beautiful Christmas displays around town
Union Square Ice Rink - go for a skate at the lovely ice rink at Union Square