When to go · San Francisco
San Francisco in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (foggy/windy), Jan–Feb (rainy).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Low
- United States overall
- Prices
- Low
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (foggy/windy), Jan–Feb (rainy).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. 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 January
- 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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Low
- Prices · United States overall
- Low
United States overall: Cold and snowy north and in the mountains; Florida, Hawaii and the desert Southwest are the picks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in San Francisco, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Sep: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Sep: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
Jan: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
Sep: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 11
Sep: 1 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Sep: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
Sep: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
Sep: 1
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (foggy/windy), Jan–Feb (rainy).
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