San Francisco, CA weather by month
West · Station: Downtown San Francisco (Mission District), CA · NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
The best time to visit San Francisco, CA is April–October, when average daytime highs are comfortable and rainfall sits at or below the city's monthly average. San Francisco is hottest in September (avg high 70°F) and coolest in January (avg high 58°F). The wettest month is December (4.8 in) and the driest is July (0 in). Overall the annual mean temperature is about 57.8°F with 23 in of precipitation a year.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Monthly weather averages for San Francisco
| Month | Avg high (°F) | Avg low (°F) | Avg precip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58 | 47 | 4.4 |
| February | 60 | 48 | 4.4 |
| March | 62 | 49 | 3.2 |
| April | 63 | 50 | 1.6 |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 |
| June | 67 | 53 | 0.2 |
| July | 66 | 54 | 0 |
| August | 68 | 56 | 0.1 |
| September | 70 | 56 | 0.1 |
| October | 70 | 54 | 0.9 |
| November | 64 | 51 | 2.6 |
| December | 58 | 47 | 4.8 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Best time to visit San Francisco
Based on the normals above, the most pleasant window is April–October. In those months daytime highs are in the mild-to-warm range and precipitation is no higher than the city's typical month, so you avoid both the peak warm of September (when highs reach about 70°F — t-shirt weather; sunscreen advised) and the cool, darker conditions around January (highs near 58°F). Try to avoid December if rain would spoil your plans — it is the wettest month at 4.8 in. Use the packing & comfort tool to check any specific month.
How San Francisco compares
San Francisco's 23 in of annual precipitation and 57.8°F mean temperature put it in context with other US cities. See where it ranks for warmest in January, rainiest overall and driest overall, or browse the full list of cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit San Francisco?
The most comfortable time to visit San Francisco, CA is April–October, when average daytime highs are mild and rainfall is at or below the city's average. San Francisco is hottest in September (avg high 70°F) and coolest in January (avg high 58°F), per NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
What is the average temperature in San Francisco?
San Francisco's annual mean temperature is about 57.8°F. The warmest month is September (average high 70°F, low 56°F) and the coolest is January (average high 58°F, low 47°F).
How much rain does San Francisco get?
San Francisco receives about 23 inches of precipitation a year. The wettest month is December (4.8 in) and the driest is July (0 in).
Source
Monthly averages from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Downtown San Francisco (Mission District), CA (reference values verified against the published normals). Climate normals describe a 30-year average, not a forecast; any individual year can differ. See our methodology for how "best time to visit" is derived.
Last updated: 2026-06-18