Month guide · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco in August
What August is really like in San Francisco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.6 hours of daylight. Still foggy at times, with summer crowds at their peak; a big music festival in Golden Gate Park fills hotels.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 15°C (59°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in San Francisco: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with July (21°C (70°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 23°C (73°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:25
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:03
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F)
Spring (March–May). Mild, drier days, wildflowers on the headlands and blossom in the parks, with fog starting to return by late May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Outside Lands music festival in Golden Gate Park (usually August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
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 22°C, lows near 13°C and 0 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit San Francisco?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
San Francisco in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Still foggy at times, with summer crowds at their peak; a big music festival in Golden Gate Park fills hotels.
+How warm is San Francisco in August?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in August?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.