When to go · San Francisco
San Francisco in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) / 12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States overall
- Prices
- Medium
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- San FranciscoHighs around 20 °C (68 °F), lows around 12 °C (54 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 68 °F (20 °C), lows around 54 °F (12 °C), rain on about 2 days
- California coast, United States · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surbest weather
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.
Memorial Day big impact
Last Monday of May · United States
Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Medium
- Prices · United States overall
- Medium
United States overall: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in San Francisco, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Sep: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Sep: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
May: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Sep: 15 °C (59 °F)59 °F (15 °C)
Rain days
May: 2
Sep: 1 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Sep: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Sep: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Sep: 1
May: Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
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