When to go · San Francisco
San Francisco in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- High
- United States overall
- Prices
- High
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- SeptemberGreatInside San Francisco's best window: Sep–Oct.
- OctoberGreatInside San Francisco's best window: Sep–Oct.
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Spring break fills Florida beaches and parks; the desert parks come into season.
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Good month for the Southwest, Washington cherry blossoms, the South; mountain roads still closed.
Weather in December
- San FranciscoHighs around 14 °C (57 °F), lows around 7 °C (45 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 57 °F (14 °C), lows around 45 °F (7 °C), rain on about 11 days
- California coast, United States · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surfine
Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas Day big impact
25 Dec · United States
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- High
- Prices · United States overall
- High
United States overall: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in San Francisco, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
Sep: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Sep: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
Dec: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Sep: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 11
Sep: 1 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Sep: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
Sep: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Sep: 1
December: Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
September: Inside San Francisco's best window: Sep–Oct.
San Francisco: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast