Month guide · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco in February
What February is really like in San Francisco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ryan Schwark, CC0
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.7 hours of daylight. Showery, with greening hills and sunny spells; Lunar New Year brings the city's biggest night parade.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in San Francisco: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 28 days. Compared with January (14°C (57°F)), February is warmer; by March highs stay near 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:59
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:48
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F)
Autumn (September–November). Usually the warmest, clearest weather of the year in September and October, with Fleet Week and free festivals, before rain returns in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 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 February
- Chinese New Year Festival and Parade in Chinatown and around Union Square (usually February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Presidio
Golden Gate Bridge
Opened in 1937, the 2.7 km suspension bridge in its International Orange paint spans the Golden Gate strait.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
Historic site · San Francisco Bay
Alcatraz Island
Take an early ferry for a quieter cellhouse, or book the night tour for a different atmosphere and city lights on the way back.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- After dark
Experience · Nob Hill
Cable cars and the Cable Car Museum
Running since 1873, San Francisco's cable cars are the last manually operated cable-car system in the world.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- History
Waterfront · Fisherman's Wharf
Pier 39 and the sea lions
See the sea lions early or late to avoid crowds, then walk west along the Wharf to the Musée Mécanique and the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 9°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February 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 February a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Showery, with greening hills and sunny spells; Lunar New Year brings the city's biggest night parade.
+How warm is San Francisco in February?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in February?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.