Best time to visit San Francisco

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San Francisco

Best time of year to visit San Francisco

The balmiest weather and moderate crowds make September to October the best time to visit San Francisco. Why not heading to the beach with fresh Fuyu persimmons in your bag? Bargain hunters will be glad to know that many hotels offer deals as the rainy winter takes over the city. December–January offer lots of nature-based experiences like whale watching and spotting thousands of monarch butterflies. Winter celebrations of New Year will blow your socks off with breathtaking fireworks. A relatively dry and warm period from March to May is sated of various parades like St. Patrick’s Day Parade or St. Stupid’s Day Parade. Summertime seems to be all about fun and draws a good deal of tourists from all over the country in hope of eternal sunshine and abyss of activities. And even though chilly fog and sea winds beg to differ, June through August are great for kiteboarding.

30 THINGS TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO (JULY 25 - AUGUST 03)

California State Fair

California State Fair

July 12-28, 2024 • event

The Fair has been attracting people for over 150 years. Come and join this spectacular celebration

Stern Grove Festival

Stern Grove Festival

June 18-August 20, 2024 • event

Immerse yourself into incredible traditional performances

Scenic Road Trips

Scenic Road Trips

all year round • activity

Driving along a large number of picturesque roads with stops near the highlights and most unique spots can be a perfect vacation plan

Presidio Picnic

Presidio Picnic

late March–mid-October (Sundays) • event

Lounge on a lawn with mouthwatering delicacies in your hand

South Yuba River Swimming Holes

South Yuba River Swimming Holes

March–October • activity

A great way to relax during hot summer days

San Francisco Marathon

San Francisco Marathon

July 27-28, 2024 • event

A great energetic way to explore the city

Land's End Labyrinth

Land's End Labyrinth

March–November • activity

A secret labyrinth built by a local artist became a lovely attraction for Land's End visitors

Alcatraz

Alcatraz

all year round • activity

Visit the most sinister attraction in San Francisco Bay

Walt Disney Family Museum

Walt Disney Family Museum

all year round • event

Visit one of the best museums in San Francisco

Lick Observatory

Lick Observatory

June–September • activity

Visit the first permanent mountain top observatory in the world

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

March–September • nature

A plentitude of rare treats await the avid birdwatchers in both Southern and Northern California

Hawaii Cruises

Hawaii Cruises

April–August • activity

Be prepared for adventures when cruising the Pacific

American Discovery Trail

American Discovery Trail

all year round • activity

You'll find no better way to discover America than this lengthy hike across 15 states, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. For such a long journey, one needs at least a year of time reserved

Beach Season

Beach Season

May–September • activity

A huge number of varied beaches with white sands and clear waters give you the chance to choose a perfect spot within the coastline of the Golden State

Napa Valley Harvest Season

Napa Valley Harvest Season

August–December • activity

Watch Napa Valley come to life with the thrill and rush of the harvest

Сlam Chowder

Сlam Chowder

all year round • food

The finest way to warm oneself up on a chilly summer day is to eat a portion of American clam chowder

Fogs

Fogs

June–August • nature

When a misty season arrives, the city and the bay area are covered with thick fog, which sometimes creates spectacular photo opportunities

Shark Fin Cove

Shark Fin Cove

all year round • nature

A great sunset spot and one of the best beaches in California

Wine Season

Wine Season

July–November • activity

Grape harvest season in SF comes along with beautiful yellow foliage​ and pleasant temperatures

Olallieberry

Olallieberry

May–October • food

Summer in San Francisco is the best time to fill up one’s vitamin supplies through toothsome olallieberries

Cycling

Cycling

April–October • activity

Picturesque scenery, varied terrain, and gentle weather conditions attract cyclists to the Golden State

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

March–October • activity

Nothing can beat the Windy City in terms of wind sports

San Francisco Iconic Strawberry Mochi

San Francisco Iconic Strawberry Mochi

May–August • food

Afternoon may be too late to find strawberry mochi at Benkyodo, they are usually sold out in the morning

Great White Sharks

Great White Sharks

August–September  • nature

As ocean waters warm up, white sharks start their annual migration between Mexico and Southern California

Paddleboarding (SUP)

Paddleboarding (SUP)

May–September  • activity

One of the most enjoyable and fun water activities is popular all along the California coastline

Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding

April–August • activity

Just choose the right season and the right spot to enjoy your favourite water activity in the Sunny State

Sailing

Sailing

year round (best time: July–September) • activity

The vast San Francisco Bay has multiple sailing options for both beginners and professionals

Dahlia Season

Dahlia Season

June–July  • nature

Dahlia is an official flower of San Francisco and in ​summer it blooms everywhere

The Red Flowering Gum

The Red Flowering Gum

July–August • nature

In spite of its name, a red gum blooms with bright red, pink, orange and even white flowers

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

June–July • nature

Fashionable hydrangeas are abundunt in San-Francisco

84 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Folsom Street Fair

Folsom Street Fair

out of rangeSeptember 29, 2024 • event

Probably the most kinky event in San Francisco and maybe the whole world

Corgi Con SF

Corgi Con SF

unconfirmedmid-September 2024 • event

A fun day on the beach with hundreds of cute short-legged dogs

San Francisco Fleet Week

San Francisco Fleet Week

out of rangeOctober 2–10, 2023 • event

You have never been so close to the formidable American armed forces

4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks

4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Bay City is a great spot to celebrate America's independence

420 Hippie Hill

420 Hippie Hill

out of rangeApril 20, 2024 • event

Every year, on April 20 or 4/20, thousands flock to Sharon Meadows to celebrate cannabis culture

San Francisco Pride

San Francisco Pride

out of rangeJune 29–30, 2024 • event

Huge and spectacular LGBT weekend with over 40 years of history

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in SF

New Year’s Eve Fireworks in SF

out of rangeDecember 31–January 1 • event

Witness breathtaking New Year's celebration with spectacular waterfront fireworks at midnight

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

Great Dickens Christmas Fair

out of rangeNovember 23-December 22, 2024 • event

Go back to Victorian London at the historic Cow Palace Exhibition Halls

Berkeley Kite Festival

Berkeley Kite Festival

on holdJuly 25–26, 2020 • event

Come fly a kite in an atmosphere of total fascination!

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival

out of rangeApril 13-21, 2024 • event

People come to Japantown to celebrate spring’s arrival and the joys of life in a Japanese way

Alameda County Fair

Alameda County Fair

out of rangeJune 14-July 7, 2024 • event

A summer celebration full of carnival rides, lawn concerts, adorable animals, and funnel cakes

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Butterflies

out of rangemid-November–mid-March • nature

Tens of thousands of North American monarchs head to California for their honeymoon, and wedding night falls on Valentine's Day

Almond Bloom

Almond Bloom

out of rangemid-February–early March • nature

The first sign of spring on the Pacific Coast

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

out of rangeOctober 19-20, 2024 • event

The size of those pumpkins will blow your mind

Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race

Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race

unconfirmedMarch 31, 2024 • event

If you think that tricycle bikes are designed for 3-year-old kids only, you are wrong. Even an adult can have fun riding it if one knows where and when to try it. Annual tricycle races down the curviest street in the world welcome enthusiasts to San Francisco

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangeMarch–late April • nature

Delicate sakura opens the tree blooming season in the Golden State

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach

Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach

out of rangelate January–late April (best in mid-February–early April) • nature

One of the most picturesque coastal areas in Big Sur

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year

out of rangeFebruary 17, 24, March 3, 2024 • event

Lion dancers, Chinese acrobats, stilt walkers, and the heat of treasure hunt make unforgettable impressions

California Fall Colors

California Fall Colors

out of rangelate September–early November • nature

Admire bronze and amber foliage throughout the Golden State

San Francisco Street Food Festival

San Francisco Street Food Festival

on holdOctober 12, 2019 • event

Gourmets will be carried away by San Francisco’s food

World's Ugliest Dog Contest

World's Ugliest Dog Contest

out of rangeJune 21, 2024 • event

Beauty varies. Even the ugliest living being can make someone happy

Monterey Jazz Festival

Monterey Jazz Festival

out of rangeSeptember 27-29, 2024 • event

Top names of jazz gather together in one place to share their talent among real fans. Don't miss one of the greatest jazz events in the world!

Stinko Ginkgo

Stinko Ginkgo

out of rangeOctober–December • nature

Yellow fruit of ancient ginkgo trees: aromatic or stinky – you are to decide

Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade

Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade

out of rangeDecember 1, 2024 • event

A popular holiday event draws spectators from all over Silicon Valley

St. Stupid’s Day Parade

St. Stupid’s Day Parade

out of rangeApril 1 • event

Bored with solemn processions? St. Stupid’s Day allows to play a fool in the silliest walk of all times

Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary Contests

Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary Contests

out of rangeMarch 31, 2024 • event

Half-naked men cross-dressed into Jesus and pregnant women playing Mary—San Francisco's way to celebrate Easter

How Weird Street Faire

How Weird Street Faire

out of rangeOctober 14, 2023 • event

The world’s weirdest show proves that San Francisco is an idyllic spot where you can be your odd self

Mustard Flowers in Napa Valley

Mustard Flowers in Napa Valley

out of rangeJanuary–March • nature

The vineyard beds explode with a vivid yellow carpet of mustard blooms creating cheerful vibes among the dull winter colors

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

out of rangeMarch 16, 2024 • event

Wear your best green attire and attend St. Patrick’s Day Parade to feel the spirit of San Francisco’s Irish community

Cinco de Mayo SF

Cinco de Mayo SF

unconfirmedMay 5, 2024 • event

Cinco de Mayo introduces the best of Mexican culture preserved in San Francisco

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

out of rangelate November–December • event

Feel the holiday atmosphere in the city and get amazed by the festive lights

Gilroy Garlic Festival

Gilroy Garlic Festival

out of rangeJuly 13, 2023 • event

A three-day celebration of garlic and other delicious foods

Fall Colors

Fall Colors

out of rangemid-October–mid-November • nature

Autumn shows off spectacular foliage in the vineyards of California's Wine Country

Monticello Dam Morning Glory Spillway

Monticello Dam Morning Glory Spillway

out of rangeNovember–March  • nature

An enormous drain hole which looks a portal into another world is especially impressive during the rainy season

SantaCon

SantaCon

out of rangeDecember 09 • event

Streets and pubs of San Francisco are taken by joyful drunken Santas

Ladybug

Ladybug

out of rangeNovember • nature

Everybody loves when a cute ladybug lands on one's palm. What about hundreds of thousands at once? This can happen near San Francisco in California

Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival

Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival

out of rangeSeptember 23-24, 2024 • event

Celebration in the name of mystery and glory of the moon

Oakland Restaurant Week

Oakland Restaurant Week

out of rangeMarch 14-24, 2024 • event

Ten days to get the best of Oakland's restaurant scene

Easter

Easter

out of rangeMarch 31, 2024 • event

Spiced with local humor, Easter in San Francisco definitely stands out

Bay to Breakers

Bay to Breakers

out of rangeMay 19, 2024 • event

Have you ever seen a race of 50,0​00 chickens, bunnies, aliens, spidermen, batmen, and other pop-culture heroes?

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

out of rangeJune 21-23, 2024 • event

Groove to the sweet vibes of roots reggae and world music

Napa Valley Jazz Getaway

Napa Valley Jazz Getaway

out of rangeJune 5-9, 2024 • event

A must-do event for a true jazz enthusiast in Yountville

Carnaval

Carnaval

out of rangeMay 25-26, 2024 • event

Carnival introduces Latin-American and Caribbean cultures, which constitute a part of multicultural California

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore

out of rangeJanuary–May • nature

If you are looking for a stunning coastal scenery, you are on the right path

Outside Lands Music and Art Festival

Outside Lands Music and Art Festival

out of rangeAugust 9-11, 2024 • event

This event combines the best music line-up, amazing performances, and art works, as well as a great variety of delicious food

Oyster Season

Oyster Season

out of rangeSeptember–April • food

Oysters are consumed in San Francisco and other cities on the California's coast in accordance with “R” myth that determines the oyster season

Point Reyes Whale Watching

Point Reyes Whale Watching

out of rangelate December–January (south) | mid-March–April (north) • activity

Those who venture along the rocky trails will be rewarded with the sight of rare gray whales

Tarantula Migration

Tarantula Migration

out of rangeSeptember–October • nature

Watch a fascinating natural phenomenon in California's parks and deserts

Bay Area Book Festival

Bay Area Book Festival

out of rangeMay 6–7, 2023 • event

See Downtown Berkeley transform into a literary utopia!

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos

out of rangeOctober 31–November 2 • activity

Put on your best black outfit on, paint your face pale white, take a cand​le – ready for the mystic life and death celebration

FAN EXPO San Francisco

FAN EXPO San Francisco

out of rangeNovember 29–December 1, 2024 • event

Join tens of thousands of geeks at a three-day comic convention

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

out of rangeSeptember 29–October 1, 2023 • event

American country music is mixed with modern genres at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival

Surfing

Surfing

out of rangeSeptember–May • activity

Autumn soft offshore breezes create perfect consitions for surfing

San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM)

San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM)

out of rangeApril 24-28, 2024 • event

The longest-running film festival in America

California's Great America WinterFest

California's Great America WinterFest

out of rangeNovember 25–December 31, 2022 • event

The Bay Area’s newest popular holiday tradition

San Francisco Coffee Festival

San Francisco Coffee Festival

out of rangeNovember 11–12, 2023 • event

This fest is more than just a coffee event

BottleRock Napa Valley

BottleRock Napa Valley

out of rangeMay 24-26, 2024 • event

This music festival in Napa Valley combines amazing performances with culinary shows

Union Street Festival

Union Street Festival

out of rangeJune 1-2, 2024 • event

The highlight of Union Street Festival is the waiters' race

San Francisco Restaurant Week

San Francisco Restaurant Week

out of rangeApril 14-23, 2023 • event

Enjoy the delicious food with world-class dining community of San Francisco

Napa Valley Restaurant Week

Napa Valley Restaurant Week

out of rangeJanuary 19 - January 23 • event

Discover all the culinary delights and secret eateries at the most famous epicurean’s destination in America

Mexican Riviera Cruises

Mexican Riviera Cruises

out of rangeNovember–May • activity

The best cruise destination for the active type of travelers

Napa Truffle Festival

Napa Truffle Festival

out of rangeJanuary 12 - January 15 • event

Discover some of the finest Californian truffles

Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival

canceledSeptember 14–15, 2022 • event

The sweetest event in the Bay Area

San Francisco Beer Week

San Francisco Beer Week

out of rangeFebruary 9-February 18, 2024 • event

High time to find your favorite brewery!

Cool Patch Pumpkins Corn Maze

Cool Patch Pumpkins Corn Maze

out of rangelate September–October • activity

Kick off the holiday season and get lost in the world’s largest corn maze

Monkey Puzzle Seeds

Monkey Puzzle Seeds

out of rangeSeptember–October • food

Soft starchy seeds have been feeding humans, rodents and birds since Jurassic Period

Christmas in the Park in San Jose

Christmas in the Park in San Jose

out of rangelate November–early January • event

This beautiful holiday tradition in San Jose makes Christmas in San Francisco unforgettable

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend

out of rangeSeptember 4, 2023 • event

Soak up all the fun and joy during the unforgettable three-day celebration

San Francisco Jazz Festival

San Francisco Jazz Festival

out of rangeJune 7-18, 2024 • event

Enjoy over 40 shows in 12 days in The City

Sea Otter Classic

Sea Otter Classic

out of rangeApril 18-21, 2024 • event

Check out these fascinating racing competitions and one of the largest bike expos in the US—this event is a real celebration of cycling

Cactus Pear

Cactus Pear

out of rangeMay–June • food

The spiky peel of the cactus pear covers surpeisingly tasty melon-like juicy pulp

Fuyu Persimmons

Fuyu Persimmons

out of rangeOctober–November • food

Latins called Fuyu persimmon “the fruit of the gods”

Halloween

Halloween

out of rangelate September–late October  • event

From spooky science in the lab to the Napa Valley ball,—there are a lot of new things to try in October

Macy's Flower Show

Macy's Flower Show

overApril 1–9, 2019 • event

Lose yourself in all of the jaw-dropping flower exhibits

Treasure Island Music Festival

Treasure Island Music Festival

on holdOctober 13–14, 2018 • event

Bay area event, with an eclectic lineup of diverse musicians

Plum Trees Bloom

Plum Trees Bloom

out of rangeJanuary–February • nature

The look of plum trees rosy blossoms warm hearts in winter

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

out of rangeMay 25–27, 2024 • event

Visit the largest Memorial Day commemoration on the West Coast

Artichoke Festival

Artichoke Festival

unconfirmedJune 15–16, 2024 • event

A food festival in the "Artichoke Center of the World"

Magnolias in San Francisco Botanical Garden

Magnolias in San Francisco Botanical Garden

out of rangemid-January–late March • nature

You will be carried away by magnolia’s incredible beauty and fragrance

No Pants BART Ride Day

No Pants BART Ride Day

on holdJanuary 12, 2020 • event

Drop your pants, if you are not too shy

Benicia Christmas Parade & Holiday Market

Benicia Christmas Parade & Holiday Market

out of rangeDecember 9, 2023 • event

A great local celebration to kick off the holiday season

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers

out of rangeMarch–May • nature

Everyone gets dazzled at the sight of spring floral colours

Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show

Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show

out of rangeApril 28, 2024 • event

"The Coolest Show on Earth" showcases cars, trucks, motorcycles, and aircraft

Northern California Renaissance Faire

Northern California Renaissance Faire

out of rangeSeptember 16–October 22, 2023 • event

The fictional village of Willingtown comes to life every fall

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