01Weather
San Francisco weather in December
Afternoons in December average 15.0 °C (59 °F) and nights cool to 6.3 °C (43 °F). The month brings about 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with November it is 3.3 °C cooler; January is 0.2 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 18 °C / 65 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 12 °C / 54 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 36 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.2 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 27 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 26.1 °C / -0.5 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 07:06 | 16:50 | 9.7 h |
| 15 December | 07:17 | 16:51 | 9.6 h |
| 31 December | 07:24 | 17:00 | 9.6 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 6 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Los_Angeles).
03Crowds
How busy San Francisco is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- holiday lights
- Christmas week busy, early December quiet
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in San Francisco in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve fireworks | 31 December, Embarcadero | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for San Francisco in December
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cool and rainy, with afternoons around 14 °C, rain on about ten days, holiday lights downtown, the Nutcracker at the Opera House and a quiet first three weeks followed by a busy Christmas-to-New-Year stretch. Fireworks over the Embarcadero close the year. Pack a waterproof layer and expect some grey days, but also crystal-clear spells after each storm.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair runs at weekends in Daly City, and the Union Square rink is open daily. Hotel rates are low until the 23rd, then rise for the New Year week. The cable cars and Alcatraz are easy. Whale watching for grey whales begins in late December. For the wettest, quietest and cheapest month, see January.
09Compare
San Francisco month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15 °C | 7 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 17 °C | 7 °C | 7 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 17 °C | 8 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| April | 19 °C | 10 °C | 5 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| May | 20 °C | 12 °C | 2 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 22 °C | 13 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 14 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 23 °C | 15 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 24 °C | 14 °C | 0 | – | very busy | Good |
| October | 23 °C | 11 °C | 2 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 8 °C | 5 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 15 °C | 6 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit San Francisco.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles in December | 20 °C | 2 |
| Las Vegas in December | 15 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in December | 7 °C | 17 |
| Toronto in December | 3 °C | 10 |
| Cancún in December | 28 °C | – |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
San Francisco in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
December is a good month to visit San Francisco. Daytime highs average 15 °C (59 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in December?
Expect cool days around 15 °C (59 °F) and nights near 6 °C (43 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 18 °C, and one in ten stays below 12 °C.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in December?
December brings about 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by San Francisco standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 27 percent.
What should I wear in San Francisco in December?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is San Francisco crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: holiday lights; Christmas week busy, early December quiet.
What time does it get dark in San Francisco in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:51 and rises at 07:17, giving 9.6 hours of daylight.