San Francisco in December
In December, San Francisco averages 14°C (57°F) during the day and 8°C (46°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (85 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
December in San Francisco is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How December compares to the rest of the year in San Francisco
December is one of the coolest months in San Francisco (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C below the annual average (19°C). December runs 4°C cooler than November (18°C) and stays flat into January.
December sunrise & sunset in San Francisco
Times shown for San Francisco local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San Francisco — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in San Francisco's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San Francisco in December
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and San Francisco's popularity.
December in United States — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.
Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.
Crowds & pricing — December in San Francisco
San Francisco is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: Christmas / New Year travel surge
Sun & mosquito risk — December in San Francisco
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
San Francisco in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C / 57°F | 8°C / 46°F | 110 mm | 11 | — |
| February | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 110 mm | 10 | — |
| March | 17°C / 63°F | 10°C / 50°F | 75 mm | 10 | — |
| April | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 30 mm | 6 | — |
| May | 19°C / 66°F | 12°C / 54°F | 10 mm | 3 | — |
| June | 21°C / 70°F | 13°C / 55°F | 5 mm | 1 | — |
| July | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 0 mm | 0 | — |
| August | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 1 mm | 1 | — |
| September | 24°C / 75°F | 14°C / 57°F | 5 mm | 2 | — |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 20 mm | 4 | — |
| November | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 55 mm | 7 | — |
| December | 14°C / 57°F | 8°C / 46°F | 85 mm | 9 | — |
Other cities with similar December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Francisco in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San Francisco in December?
In December, San Francisco averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in December?
December sees occasional rain in San Francisco, with about 9 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
December is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for San Francisco in December?
Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full December packing list for San Francisco for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.