Average temperatures rest in the low 70s, and consistently sunny skies inspire San Franciscans and tourists alike to head to the beach. Nighttime lows are typically around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average daily high of 76 degrees. Weather in August will be warm and dry, much the same as July. Believe it or not, fall offers some of the city's warmest temperatures year-round, not to mention fewer crowds than. It's also a 64-acre grassy park where families and friends meet up in the afternoon. November is a wet month, so bring your rain jacket and boots. This is also the time of year where the Bay Area experiences the most rain, so make sure to bring an umbrella. If that wasnt enough partying for you, then the massive. 28 C 30 C. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can find a weather chart at http://geocities.com/iconoc/Articles/Sights.html. Enjoy all the food and wine festivals and fairs throughout the city! You might get some rain but overall if you fly into San Francisco between Feb and May, not only will you be able to capture pretty blooms but will also be able to photograph several street festivals and cultural events dedicated to spring (scroll down to see what those are). Entering into its first shoulder season of the year, San Francisco maintains a modest but steady flow of traffic throughout spring. The best time to go to San Francisco for warm weather (because Baby, its always cold out here), So, youve read the previous section on the. Last updated: December 21st, 2022 The best time to visit San Francisco usually begins in late summer and heads into the fall. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the InterContinental Boston. , once the site of one of the nations highest-security prisons. For the best times to visit Arizona's popular attractions like Antelope Canyon , hiking the Wave (permit required), and . History buffs and the morbidly curious alike should be no stranger to Alcatraz Island, once the site of one of the nations highest-security prisons. From skating under the giant Christmas tree at Union Square to Christmas fairs and markets, from. Also popular in San Francisco holiday tradition are the enchanting performances of, Not quite satisfied with the holiday season festivities alone, the Bay Area also quite literally lights up for, , as thousands of revelers flock to see out the year with an impressive firework display out on the Bay. February is a great month to visit San Francisco if you're looking for cheaper accommodation rates. Alternatively, you may use, Inn On Grove - San Francisco Civic Center, Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel, Six unforgettable San Francisco landmarks built by LGBTQ+ women. Check out the impressive handmade goods and join one of the cool interactive workshops. There are many reasons to visit San Francisco in winter, i.e. Every weekend is different and full of fascinating shows that are unlike anything youve ever seen before. The Golden Gate City witnesses a surge in tourism during the summer as people head west in search of sun, sand and surf. Labor Day Weekend brings lots of people to the city to end summer with a bang. So although brighter and warmer, you might end up in an unfortunate situation of being greeted with smoke filled air when you land in San Francisco (we had an apocalyptic orange sky in 2020 due to wildfires all around) which is no fun. Winter in San Francisco kicks off with a whole host of festive events. During this time, the weather in San Francisco becomes cooler and more moderate, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-60s F (16C) to mid-70s F (21C). Starting along the Great Highway at the northwest corner of Golden Gate Park, the Transamerica Rock n Roll Half Marathon runs through some of the most beautiful spots youll find anywhere on the West Coast. Straight to your inbox. Ummmm..sorry to break this to you, but you wont really see any Fall colors in San Francisco. Christmas in San Francisco is special; it may not be a white Christmas or as glitzy as one on the east coast, but it sure has its charms. Following swiftly afterwards, San Franciscos Chinese New Year celebration is among the largest and most vibrant in the world, drawing in millions to awe at the annual parade and its trademark 28-foot-long golden dragon. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Is February a good time to visit San Francisco? Best Time to Save Money and Avoid the Crowds: The 2 or 3 weeks in late November/early December following Thanksgiving. Lodging-wise, all you budget-minded travelers may be deterred by rising room rates. San Franciscos a melting pot of cultures and influences, and its art, music, and events reflect it well. Even if the weather is a little temperamental, you'll be able to enjoy many sights & attractions, restaurants, transportation, etc., without enormous crowds. Then youve come to the RIGHT post where I, a resident, tells you everything you need to know to figure the best time to travel to San Francisco! Date: 12 February Venue: Chinatown 4. San Francisco is known for its unique climate and the fact that the weather remains good throughout the year. Summer is a great time to visit San Francisco, as the city is at its warmest and most vibrant during these months. After all, there's a reason why Napa remains one of the most popular destinations in California, and, believe it or not, wine is just a small part of the equation. San Franciscos bayside location keeps the citys climate in somewhat of a goldilocks zone, never too cold but rarely warmer than a certain degree. Besides, we have this darned thing called . In March, the weather becomes milder, and the days become longer. , a vast waterfront complex offering all manner of entertainment. Home Weather & What to Wear February San Francisco Weather in February: Tips on Packing, What to Wear, & More by Jill Loeffler Most people think that California is warm and sunny all year round. Among its best attractions are the. San Diego Museum Month: when admission to more than 40 museums is half off. California coastal weather tends to be unpredictable, but mostly temperate through-out the year. : At A Glance I'll level with you, there's no "best time to visit San Francisco". There are many reasons to visit San Francisco in winter, i.e. This is also a season brimming with appreciation for the arts, best represented among the fantastic film screenings of the, San Francisco International Film Festival, , host to a day of drinking and merriment as locals and visitors embark on epic bar crawls and revel at the annual St. Pattys Day parade. Temperatures above 27 C are unusual. One of the best ways to experience San Franciscos culinary scene is by visiting its many markets. in Golden Gate Park. The best time to visit San Francisco is from September to November. Both have their advantages and drawbacks which are as follows: Spring is great for nature and landscape photography because everything is so green and lush. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Although we have year round farmers markets (yes, we really do), the best time to visit San Francisco for your foodie fix is anytime between April-November, because things start winding down for the holidays after that. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival is also in town during Fall for all of you music lovers out there as is Da de los Muertos (Day of the Dead which is not to be confused with Halloween for the love of everything sacred) that is celebrated with much fanfare in the Mission between Oct 31-Nov 2. To help you choose when to go to San Francisco for the weather (and to avoid the fog), things to do or to catch a festival, read our guide below. Entering into its first shoulder season of the year, San Francisco maintains a modest but steady flow of traffic throughout spring. Visitors will find, however, that average summer temperatures in San Francisco hover in the high 60s and are often accompanied by brisk sea winds and chilly, damp fog. Frisco may be a big city, but natural scenery surrounds it. early October and foliage peaks in late October-all the more reason to visit if youve missed fall colors on the east coast! Carnaval: Who needs New Orleans when you can go to the Mission? The peak tourist season ends in August which means less crowds, the weather is at its best in early fall and there are great events and festivals on throughout September and October. Besides, we have this darned thing called microclimates where basically the weather pattern changes within the different parts of the city-teeth chattering cold in one and sunny and bright in another. But when is the best time to visit? Ive been wanting to plan a trip to San Fran but had no idea when to go! San Francisco is home to the Outside Lands Music Festival in August, so if youre a fan of Indie and Alternative Rock, Electronica and Hip Hop, look into tickets! The United Nations Association Film Festival, SF International Festival of Short Filmsand Japan Film Festival are just a few of the events screening award-winning films throughout the city, with an event for just about every topic and area of interest. Count on cold nights, for sure. Whether you walk, bike, or drive across the bridge, the views of the Bay and the city are just *chefs kiss*. . Its a blast every year so plan on spending at least a couple days checking it out. Summer Unlike other parts of the United States, summers in San Francisco are chill, windy, and often damp. Culture lovers, listen up! The weather in both destinations is near perfect during the early fall, with plenty of sunny days in San Francisco and highs around 80 . Count me in! Subscribe to my blog to get super awesome pet-friendly travel updates, foodie finds and insider guides to San Francisco. The best months with mild weather and lower crowds in the fall are October and November. Average high temperatures in the mid-60s will certainly keep you from diving into the Pacific, but you shouldn't have any limitations wandering the city on foot. Luxury meets sustainability at these unique ecolodges. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Youre welcome. Hiking is best enjoyed in spring, so if youre an outdoor person, do not underestimate San Francisco and book those tickets for March-May. The difference in crowds from the summer is the highlight. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Halloween is a big occasion in the city, so be ready to go all out with your costume! I love this post! The best time to visit San Francisco and Napa Valley is in the early Fall when the fog has lifted for the season in the city, and the festivities are heating up in the wine country. when the weather isnt blisteringly hot and the crowds are slightly thinner) is when you want to visit for outdoor adventures. I really enjoy spring in San Francisco because of the citys pretty blooms, manageable heat, and less-crowded attractions though those looking to save some cash might want to head to the city during the winter months. San Francisco Beer Week: More than 150 events featuring the best local craft beer and amazing pub grub are held throughout the city during one of Californias best beer fests. December is in the rainy season so you can expect winter storms just dont expect any snow. But whenever you visit, keep in mind this desert city's seasons . Im Kiki, a California native, who left my career in corporate finance to become a world traveler. Ummmm..sorry to break this to you, but you wont really see any Fall colors in San Francisco. Because its much colder and rainy, fewer travellers come to Frisco. The Oktoberfest would be something that my boyfriend and I enjoy so much! A spike in tourists to Golden Gate . Best of all, Fall starts late in California, i.e. The citys more crowded with tourists, resulting in higher prices. The Best February Events Chinese New Year (San Francisco): Attend the brightest, most-loved celebration of Chinese New Year outside of Asia in the state's most-renowned Chinatown. From coastal hikes to trails passing through tranquil groves of Redwoods and Cypress, and from panoramic city views in our dog parks to hiking along a canyon-San Francisco has pretty much every kind of conceivable hiking trail to give you a taste of Californias vast natural diversity. Plan your trip in the spring for the ideal combination of low rates and pleasant weather. How long does it take to drive across the USA? The idyllic climate throughout summer lends itself perfectly to exploring some of the Bay Areas fantastic green spaces. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 16C (60F), whilst at night 8C (47F) is normal. NYE in SF: If you are lucky enough to be in San Francisco over New Years Eve, go to Fireworks Over the Bay. It causes ocean currents to bringCalifornia more rain than usual, so theres just no guarantee youll have dry skies. However, I must warn you that Fall season (September and October) is also FIRE SEASON in California, thanks to the reality of climate change ravaging our state. Spring and fall tend to have less visitors than the summer months. Typically, all the winter rains have gone awayby the month of April. San Francisco has an extensive collection of landmarks pivotal to the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement; don't miss the six below, which were all built by LGBTQ+ women. These cookies do not store any personal information. The San Francisco International Auto Show is a huge draw for motorheads from up and down the country, while thousands flock to the nearby city of Oakland to revel in celebration of the Da de los Muertos. These months offer pleasant temperatures and better air quality, along with much lesser crowds. However, if I have to put my money down on the absolute best month(s) to visit San Francisco, that would be March or early September. Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Langham, Boston. Fun Events. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. San Francisco starts to warm up in March and youll see much fewer rainy days unless its an off-year, which again, is unpredictable! Its liberal, quirky, artsy, casual attitude mixed with its incredible restaurants, bars, outdoor spaces and architecture make the Golden Gate City worth visiting in every way. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Head up Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill for some unobstructed panoramic views right down into the Bay, or if youre looking for a romantic way to spend a summers evening, catch the sunset over the city skyline from the Twin Peaks summit. Sounds perfect to me. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Bundle up and head to the SF Bay Bridge for a stunning view. Pro Tip: San Francisco weather is extremely confusing to the outsider. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No one knows. Not as warm or hot as other areas when doing activities, like the fun and sunny. Whats more, you can often still cash in on some fairly decent off-peak hotel prices, too. Its still a great time for spotting whales off the coast, so consider a whale watching tour. Disclaimer: My blog posts may contain some affiliate links. That is the best part about going on vacation! The chart above shows the best time of year to visit San Francisco, United States. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The best time to come to San Francisco to avoid the large crowds of enthusiastic tourists is anytime other than summer. Tourists from across U.S.A. and abroad fly in during the summer holidays and flights, hotels and other travel costs are at their highest. San Francisco Barbecue Festival: Come hungry and head over to the The Yard at Mission Rock for some amazing local BBQ, live entertainment, and so much more. Visit after the holidays, and youll even get to benefit from low-season hotel rates, often at quite a hefty discount on peak time prices. Warmer weather to enjoy outdoor activities and events. Keep an eye out for the local colony of playful, barking sea lions, too! Fall is another shoulder month with less crowds and warmer, brighter days making it great for photography where the days are not so foggy. Pro Tip: Besides the many popular attractions in San Francisco, the city has many hidden gems and lesser known neighborhoods that most tourists do not know of. Your reply is much appreciated. Explore the traditional displays at Union Square, the heart of all holiday activity in the Bay Area, and admire the adorable animals up for adoption in the annual SPCA Holiday Window. 6 cant-miss Juneteenth celebrations around the US. September is the best time to visit San Francisco if youre looking for clear skies! My 15 yr old daughter and I would love to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Copyright 2023 The Blonde Abroad | All Rights Reserved. Twin Peaks is a 922-foot-high summit that overlooks the city. Best Time to Visit. Both Chinatown and Japantown offer some of the citys most enchanting cultural insights, characterized in large part by some charming traditional East Asian architecture and a variety of authentic eateries and stores. Believe it or not, fall offers some of the city's warmest temperatures year-round, not to mention fewer crowds than summer. Best Time to Visit Palm Springs: February to April, and September to November. DOG FRIENDLY WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM SAN FRANCISCO, HOW TO DRESS LIKE A LOCAL IN SAN FRANCISCO, THE BEST DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES IN CALIFORNIA. These months typically see the best weather. Know your airline's carry-on luggage size restrictions before you fly. February Feb. You will also find fantastic Fall colors in Sacramento, the states capital (an underrated winter getaway in California and only 1.5 hrs away from SF)well into November! If you only make it to one street fair this year, let it be this one! We have some of the best beaches in California that are dog friendly, but I must warn you that they are notoriously cold and windy-surfing and swimming is best left to pros in the frigid waters. You're welcome. Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. Fall is perhaps the most culturally-rich season of the year for San Francisco, dominated in large part by a huge variety of film festivals.