You may have already heard the saying, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco," which gives you an idea....

Temperatures in San Francisco

The climate is quite temperate and resembles a Mediterranean climate, but what differentiates it are the summer temperatures, which are much cooler than typical Mediterranean summers.

Thus, it has a relatively short winter, with temperatures rarely dropping below 41°F, while summer extends, and temperatures almost never exceed 77-79°F. The cold current running along the ocean and the frequent fog keep summer temperatures low.

Keep in mind that moving away from the city and the ocean, the climate changes a bit; winters are certainly colder, and summers are hotter. This is important if you plan excursions from San Francisco, such as to Yosemite National Park and Napa Valley.

How to Visit Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the most visited natural park in California, located just 186 miles from San Francisco, and is a must-visit on your San Francisco trip. For an idea of what to expect, read our article Yosemite National Park - Travel Experience. There are tours departing from San Francisco that take you to the park

Rainfall in San Francisco

Rainfall in San Francisco is not abundant, almost entirely absent during summer, and increases from December to March. For a trip, the months from April/June and September/November are ideal.

Spring in San Francisco

From April, temperatures rise, days get longer, and rainfall decreases until almost completely absent in May and June. The only thing that might lower the temperature is a light breeze that arrives in the afternoon. Always have something to wear in case of sudden changes. Nights are still chilly. If you plan on taking an evening cruise, keep this in mind.

Summer in San Francisco

As mentioned earlier, summer in San Francisco is cool! The maximum temperature almost never exceeds 77°F, and during this period, fog is often present, but for most of the season, the sun shines. Don’t plan a beach vacation in San Francisco; the ocean water is always cold, but this is the perfect season for excursions outside the city to Napa Valley, Yosemite National Park, Muir Woods, Sausalito, Carmel, Monterey, and sailing the San Francisco Bay!

Fall in San Francisco

Fall is also a good season to visit San Francisco. Temperatures are still almost summer-like until mid-October, and rain is very scarce.

Winter in San Francisco

Winter has mild temperatures, nighttime frosts are very rare, and daytime temperatures average around 41-50°F. These months, from December to February, are when rain is more abundant, and sometimes a bit of fog forms. Although San Francisco is beautiful to visit year-round, this season may be less suitable if you also want to visit Yosemite National Park and the inland region.

When is the Best Time to Visit San Francisco?

The best months for a trip to San Francisco are from late April to late October. Be prepared with some warm clothing for the evenings or during sea or park excursions. San Francisco is called the Fog City for a reason - you’ll likely see fog enveloping the famous Golden Gate Bridge, as you’ve probably seen in photos. It’s quite a sight, and there are many points to photograph it from. You can even walk across it; read our article on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Time Zone: California's time zone is GMT-8. Compared to Italy, there is a 9-hour difference, so if it’s 5:00 PM in Italy, it’s 8:00 AM in San Francisco.