The month in detail
What to expect in January
In January, San Francisco sees 14°C during the day with 6.0h of sunshine per day. Expect rain on 26% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
January ranks 10 out of 12 months in San Francisco. Compared to December: +0.8h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
3 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
8°
Sea
12°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 26
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in San Francisco is September (8.3/10), 3.9 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · San Francisco
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · San Francisco
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · USA
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthSeptember · 20°C
❄️Coolest monthDecember · 13°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJanuary · 26%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is San Francisco ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
USATemperate oceanic climate with a 8.3 → 4.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
37.77°N · 122.42°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September is the best month with 20.0°C highs, 14.0°C lows, 9.0h of sunshine and 3.0% rainy days. The months of September & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does San Francisco get in September?
San Francisco averages 9.0 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in San Francisco?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in San Francisco in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 14.0°C, while afternoon highs average 20.0°C.
Is San Francisco good in winter?
In winter (December-February), San Francisco scores 4.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 7.8/10.
When should you avoid San Francisco?
January is the most difficult month to visit San Francisco, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in San Francisco in January?
In January, the sea averages 12°C in San Francisco: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in San Francisco in January?
The average UV index reaches 3 in January in San Francisco (low), with about 9.7h of daylight. No protection needed.