San Francisco in January
In January, San Francisco averages 14°C (57°F) during the day and 8°C (46°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (110 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
January 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 January compares to the rest of the year in San Francisco
January is one of the coolest months in San Francisco (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C below the annual average (19°C). January runs roughly the same as December (14°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (15°C).
January sunrise & sunset in San Francisco
Times shown for San Francisco local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San Francisco — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in San Francisco's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San Francisco in January
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 January's tier (Shoulder) and San Francisco's popularity.
January 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 — January 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.
Sun & mosquito risk — January 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 January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San Francisco in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San Francisco in January?
In January, 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 January?
January can be fairly wet in San Francisco, with about 11 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
January 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 January?
Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for San Francisco for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.