When to go · San Francisco
San Francisco in May
Great month. Inside San Francisco's best window: Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C) / 21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Medium
- Mexico overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Mexico overall
Verdict
Inside San Francisco's best window: Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar).
Is another month better than May?
No other month rates higher than May for San Francisco in this guide.
Weather in May
- San FranciscoHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 21 °C (70 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 90 °F (32 °C), lows around 70 °F (21 °C), rain on about 1 day
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Mexico overall
- Medium
- Prices · Mexico overall
- Medium
Mexico overall: Very hot in the Yucatán; smog in Mexico City; the rains start late in the month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in San Francisco, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jan: Great
Daytime high
May: 32 °C (90 °F)90 °F (32 °C)
Jan: 29 °C (84 °F)84 °F (29 °C)
Night low
May: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Jan: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Rain days
May: 1
Jan: 1
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Inside San Francisco's best window: Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar).
January: Inside San Francisco's best window: Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar).
San Francisco: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen