Month guide · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco in January
What January is really like in San Francisco: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 9.8 hours of daylight. Cool and the wettest time of year, with crisp, clear days between storms; hotel rates are among the lowest of the year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 9.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in San Francisco: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with December (14°C (57°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 16°C (61°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:24
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:14
- Daylight
- About 9.8 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, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Lunar New Year celebrations begin (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Golden Gate Park
California Academy of Sciences
Go to the rainforest dome first, then up to the living roof for a view across the park; adults-only NightLife evenings run on Thursdays.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Museum · Golden Gate Park
de Young Museum
Facing the Academy across the Music Concourse, the copper-clad de Young shows American art, art from Africa, Oceania and the Americas, and textiles.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Views
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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
Gallery · SoMa
SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, expanded in 2016 with a rippled white extension, is one of the largest modern-art museums in the United States, with works by Warhol, Rothko, Kahlo and Richter and a strong photography collection.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 8°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January 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 January a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cool and the wettest time of year, with crisp, clear days between storms; hotel rates are among the lowest of the year.
+How warm is San Francisco in January?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in January?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.