Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
By measured weather comfort, the top months for San Francisco are August, September, October — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is April, May, September, October. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at San Francisco (16 m elevation).
Month by month
San Francisco weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.9°C / 57°F | 8.8 | 49 | |
| February | 15°C / 59°F | 5.2 | 60 | |
| March | 14.2°C / 58°F | 9.2 | 51 | |
| April | 15.6°C / 60°F | 2.8 | 67 | |
| May | 17.6°C / 64°F | 2.5 | 79 | |
| June | 18.9°C / 66°F | 0.3 | 90 | Shoulder |
| July | 18.7°C / 66°F | 0 | 89 | Shoulder |
| August | 20.3°C / 69°F | 0.2 | 95 | Best |
| September | 20.5°C / 69°F | 0.8 | 95 | Best |
| October | 21°C / 70°F | 2.2 | 93 | Best |
| November | 16.4°C / 62°F | 5.5 | 68 | |
| December | 13.8°C / 57°F | 9.7 | 48 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
FAQ
San Francisco timing questions
What is the best month to visit San Francisco?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are August, September, and October, with August scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is April, May, September, and October, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in San Francisco?
October, with an average daily high of 21°C (70°F).
What is the rainiest month in San Francisco?
December, averaging 9.7 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in San Francisco?
June and July — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.