01Weather
San Francisco weather in January
Afternoons in January average 15.2 °C (59 °F) and nights cool to 7.0 °C (45 °F). The month brings about 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain spread over roughly 7 days. Compared with December it is 0.2 °C warmer; February is 1.6 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 19 °C / 66 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 13 °C / 55 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 3 °C / 38 °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 |
| Days with snow cover | 0.0 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 23 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 28.3 °C / 0.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:25 | 17:01 | 9.6 h |
| 15 January | 07:23 | 17:14 | 9.8 h |
| 31 January | 07:14 | 17:31 | 10.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 42 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Los_Angeles).
03Crowds
How busy San Francisco is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- rainy season
- post-holiday lull
- Lunar New Year prep in Chinatown
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| 18 Jan 2027 | Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 January
No major recurring events fall in January.
07Packing
What to pack for San Francisco in January
- 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
January is the wettest month, with Pacific storms that can bring days of rain, interrupted by crisp, clear spells with the best visibility of the year across the bay. It is the quietest and cheapest month for hotels. Afternoons average 14 °C, rarely below 7 °C, and the city empties after New Year. Rain falls on about ten days, often in multi-day spells.
Whale watching for grey whales off the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes peaks in January. The Fog City Chinatown prepares for the Lunar New Year, which can fall in late January. The MLK Day weekend on the third Monday is a long weekend. Alcatraz and the museums are easy to book. For the parade and the first spring blossoms, see February.
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 January? See the best time to visit San Francisco.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles in January | 19 °C | 1 |
| Las Vegas in January | 14 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in January | 8 °C | 16 |
| Toronto in January | 0 °C | 10 |
| Cancún in January | 27 °C | – |
| Orlando in January | 22 °C | 2 |
11FAQ
San Francisco in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
January is a good month to visit San Francisco. Daytime highs average 15 °C (59 °F), rain falls on about 7 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in January?
Expect cool days around 15 °C (59 °F) and nights near 7 °C (45 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 19 °C, and one in ten stays below 13 °C.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in January?
January brings about 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain over roughly 7 days, which is fairly dry by San Francisco standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 23 percent.
What should I wear in San Francisco in January?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is San Francisco crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: rainy season; post-holiday lull; Lunar New Year prep in Chinatown.
What time does it get dark in San Francisco in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:14 and rises at 07:23, giving 9.8 hours of daylight.