San Francisco
San Francisco in March: what to expect
Yes — March is a good time to visit San Francisco. It is cooler and wetter than the summer months, but crowds are lighter than June–August and hotel rates sit below peak. Go if you want the city without the fog-season crush, pack a rain shell and layers, and keep a wet-day plan for museum and food days.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideSan Francisco
Key facts
- Verdict
- Go — shoulder season, lighter crowds, mid-range prices
- Typical daytime highcheck
- Around 17 °C (63 °F); nights around 9 °C (48 °F)
- Raincheck
- One of the wetter months of the year; roughly 8–10 rain days
- Crowds
- 3 of 5 — quieter than summer, busier than January
- Prices
- 3 of 5 — below summer peak, above winter lows
- Daylight
- About 12 hours by late March; clocks move forward on the second Sunday
- Pack
- Rain shell, warm mid-layer, closed shoes, sunglasses for clear spells
Weather in March
March sits at the tail of the Bay Area wet season. Expect a mix: some genuinely wet days, some bright, cool days with long views, and a lot of in-between. Daytime highs usually land near 17 °C (63 °F) and nights near 9 °C (48 °F), but the bigger variable is wind and damp air rather than the number on the thermometer.
Microclimates matter more here than the month. The western side of the city (Ocean Beach, the Outer Sunset) is cooler and foggier; the Mission and SoMa are warmer and sunnier; the Marin headlands and Twin Peaks are windier. A 15-minute drive can change the feel of the day, so dress for the coldest place you plan to be, not the warmest.
Daylight stretches through the month, and US clocks move forward on the second Sunday of March, so evenings stay light noticeably later from mid-month onward.
| Metric | March | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 17 °C (63 °F) | Cooler near the ocean (check) |
| Night low | About 9 °C (48 °F) | Wind chill can make it feel lower (check) |
| Rain days | Roughly 8–10 | Wettest stretch is usually Dec–Mar (check) |
| Sun hours | Moderate, with clear spells between fronts | Check |
| Crowd index | 3 of 5 | Below summer |
| Price index | 3 of 5 | Below summer peak |
Crowds and prices
March is shoulder season in San Francisco. Summer (June–August) brings the heaviest visitor load and the highest hotel rates; March is quieter than that but busier than January and early February. Weekends and any week overlapping a school spring break will still feel busy at Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and the cable cars.
Hotel rates in March are typically mid-range: below summer and below major event weekends, above the deep winter lull. Booking two to four weeks ahead is usually enough, except around big conventions or the Bay Area's spring break weeks, when the city fills fast.
Flights into SFO and OAK follow the same pattern — mid-range fares, with cheaper midweek departures. If your dates are flexible, Tuesday–Thursday travel is usually the cheapest.
| Factor | March level | Compared with |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | Medium (3/5) | Lower than June–August |
| Hotel prices | Medium (3/5) | Lower than summer, higher than January |
| Flights | Medium | Cheaper midweek |
| Attractions | Short queues most weekdays | Longer on weekends and spring break |
What's on in March
March is a strong month for events in the Bay Area, though exact dates shift each year — always check the organiser's site before you book travel around one.
St Patrick's Day (17 March) brings a parade and celebrations, mostly around Union Square and the Civic Center area. The city's spring cultural calendar also fills up with museum exhibitions, theatre and the start of the Bay Area's festival season.
Outside the city, March is peak wildflower season in parts of the Bay Area and the nearby coast, and it is a good month for whale-watching trips from the Marin coast as grey whales migrate north. Ski resorts around Lake Tahoe are still running, usually into April.
- St Patrick's Day parade and celebrations — 17 March (check exact schedule)
- Spring museum and theatre season opens across the city (check)
- Wildflower season in the Bay Area hills and coast (check)
- Grey whale migration along the Marin coast — boat trips from Sausalito and San Francisco (check)
- Late-season skiing around Lake Tahoe, usually through March into April (check)
Where to go in March
With mixed weather, plan around the day rather than the whole trip. On clear days, prioritise the outdoor sights: the Golden Gate Bridge walk or bike ride, Lands End and the Coastal Trail, Twin Peaks for the view, and the ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon. On wet days, shift to the museums — the de Young and California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, SFMOMA, and the Exploratorium on the Embarcadero.
Neighbourhoods work in any weather. The Mission for food and murals, Chinatown and North Beach for eating and walking, Hayes Valley and the Marina for shopping and cafés. Golden Gate Park is a full day on its own if the weather holds.
If you have a car or a tour booked, March is a good month for Muir Woods and the Marin headlands, Point Reyes, and a day trip down the coast. Book Muir Woods parking or shuttle in advance — it is required and fills up.
- Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field — best on a clear morning
- Golden Gate Park: de Young, California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden
- Lands End and the Coastal Trail
- Ferry Building and the Embarcadero
- Mission District murals and food
- Muir Woods and Marin headlands — book parking or shuttle ahead
- Lake Tahoe for late-season skiing — check road and snow conditions
What to pack
Pack for cool, damp and windy rather than cold. A waterproof shell with a hood is the single most useful item; an umbrella helps but the wind often makes it useless on the bridge and the coast. Bring a warm mid-layer (fleece or light down), long trousers, and closed shoes you do not mind getting wet.
Add sunglasses and sunscreen for the clear days — the sun is strong when it comes out, even at 15 °C. A small daypack, a refillable water bottle and a transit card (Clipper) cover most days. If you plan to hike in Marin or on the coast, add a warm hat and gloves.
- Waterproof shell with a hood
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light down)
- Long trousers and closed shoes
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Small daypack and refillable bottle
- Clipper card for Muni and BART
- Warm hat and gloves if hiking in Marin or on the coast
Nearby months
March sits between the wetter winter months and the drier, busier spring. February is usually wetter and quieter; April brings longer dry spells and the start of the better weather, with crowds still moderate. May is often the sweet spot: warmer, drier, and still before the summer peak.
If your priority is weather, aim for April or May. If your priority is low prices and few people, late January and February are cheaper but wetter.
- San Francisco in January — quiet, wet, cheapest
- San Francisco in February — wet, quiet, mid prices
- San Francisco in April — drier, moderate crowds
- San Francisco in May — warmest shoulder month, still before peak
Questions people ask
Is March a good time to visit San Francisco?
Yes. March is shoulder season: cooler and wetter than summer, but crowds are lighter and hotel rates sit below the June–August peak. It suits travellers who want the city without the summer crush and do not mind carrying a rain shell.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in March?
Mixed. Daytime highs are usually around 17 °C (63 °F) and nights around 9 °C (48 °F), with roughly 8–10 rain days across the month. Expect cool, windy and sometimes wet conditions, with clear spells in between. Microclimates mean the Mission can be sunny while Ocean Beach is foggy.
What events happen in San Francisco in March?
St Patrick's Day on 17 March brings a parade and celebrations, and the spring museum and theatre season opens. Outside the city, March is wildflower season in the Bay Area hills and grey whale migration along the Marin coast. Exact dates change each year — check organisers before booking.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check