Month guide · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco in April
What April is really like in San Francisco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Alexwennerberg, CC0
Quick answer
April is one of the best months to visit San Francisco. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 13.1 hours of daylight. Mild and increasingly dry, with blossom in Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in San Francisco: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 30 days. Compared with March (17°C (63°F)), April is about as warm; by May highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:34
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 19:45
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F)
Winter (December–February). Cool and wet with clear days between storms, green hills, Lunar New Year and some of the lowest hotel rates of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in April
- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown (usually April)
- San Francisco International Film Festival (usually April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Neighbourhood · Chinatown
Chinatown
Dating from the Gold Rush era, San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- History
- Shopping
Museum · Embarcadero
Exploratorium
Book the Tactile Dome in advance; it is a separate ticket and slots are limited.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
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Architecture · Marina
Palace of Fine Arts
Built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts is a classical rotunda and colonnade reflected in a lagoon.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
Gallery · SoMa
SFMOMA
The ground-floor galleries are free; Yerba Buena Gardens across Third Street is a good spot for a break.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 10°C and 5 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit San Francisco?
One of the best months to visit San Francisco, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May and September–October. Compare every month.
San Francisco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is one of the best months to visit San Francisco. Mild and increasingly dry, with blossom in Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden.
+How warm is San Francisco in April?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in April?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.