When to go · San Francisco
San Francisco in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 14°C57°F / 7°C45°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- High
- United States overall
- Prices
- High
- United States overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Sep–Oct). Across United States: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
Weather in December
- San FranciscoHighs around 14 °C, lows around 7 °C, rain on about 11 daysHighs around 57 °F, lows around 45 °F, rain on about 11 days
- California coast, United States · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surfine
Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas Day big impact
25 Dec · United States
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- High
- Prices · United States overall
- High
United States overall: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast