When to visit San Francisco without the crowds
San Francisco (California, United States) is calmest in January, February, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in May, June, July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
Jan–Feb & Nov
When everyone heads home
The first week of November.
Tip
September and October are the warmest months; in July fog hides the Golden Gate most afternoons.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm | 14 °C (57 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm | 14 °C (58 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 3/5 · moderate | 15 °C (58 °F) | |
| April | 3/5 · moderate | 16 °C (60 °F) | |
| May | 4/5 · busy | 17 °C (62 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 18 °C (64 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 18 °C (65 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 19 °C (67 °F) | |
| September | 4/5 · busy | 20 °C (69 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (67 °F) | Fleet Week & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Oct) |
| November | 2/5 · calm | 16 °C (61 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm | 14 °C (56 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Summer fog: cool, grey days, especially near the coast.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit San Francisco without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually December (crowds 1/5). In December the average high is 14 °C (56 °F). All the calm months: January, February, November and December.
When is San Francisco most crowded?
The busiest season is May, June, July, August and September. The first week of November.
What is the weather like in San Francisco?
Average highs range from 14 °C (56 °F) in December to 20 °C (69 °F) in September, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to San Francisco?
Summer fog: cool, grey days, especially near the coast.
What festivals are there in San Francisco?
The main ones: Fleet Week & Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Oct) (October).
More places in California
- Los Angeles calm in February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December; busiest in July
- Yosemite calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September