01Weather
San Francisco weather in May
Afternoons in May average 20.4 °C (69 °F) and nights cool to 11.5 °C (53 °F). The month brings about 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain spread over roughly 2 days. Compared with April it is 1.3 °C warmer; June is 1.9 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 25 °C / 77 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 17 °C / 62 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 9 °C / 49 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.7 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 5 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 33.3 °C / 5.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 06:13 | 19:59 | 13.8 h |
| 15 May | 05:59 | 20:12 | 14.2 h |
| 31 May | 05:49 | 20:25 | 14.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 48 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Los_Angeles).
03Crowds
How busy San Francisco is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Bay to Breakers
- Memorial Day weekend
- graduation season
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 31 May 2027 | Memorial 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 May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bay to Breakers | third Sunday of May | sport |
07Packing
What to pack for San Francisco in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is sunny and pleasant, with afternoons around 19 °C, Bay to Breakers filling the streets with costumes and nudity on the third Sunday and Memorial Day weekend opening summer. The fog season has not yet begun in earnest, so Golden Gate Bridge views are reliable. Hotel rates begin climbing. Rain is rare, about three days.
Carnaval San Francisco brings a parade and festival to the Mission on Memorial Day weekend. The Fleet Week ships come in October, but the Blue Angels do not fly in May. Alcatraz and the cable cars get busier each week. Daylight runs past eight in the evening. For the start of the fog, Pride and the summer peak, see June; the first half of May is the last quiet window.
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 May? See the best time to visit San Francisco.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles in May | 21 °C | 0 |
| Las Vegas in May | 31 °C | 0 |
| Vancouver in May | 18 °C | 9 |
| Toronto in May | 19 °C | 8 |
| Cancún in May | 31 °C | – |
| Orlando in May | 32 °C | 4 |
11FAQ
San Francisco in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit San Francisco?
May is one of the best months to visit San Francisco. Daytime highs average 20 °C (69 °F), rain falls on about 2 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in San Francisco in May?
Expect mild days around 20 °C (69 °F) and nights near 12 °C (53 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 25 °C, and one in ten stays below 17 °C.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in May?
May brings about 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain over roughly 2 days, which is dry by San Francisco standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 5 percent.
What should I wear in San Francisco in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes.
Is San Francisco crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Bay to Breakers; Memorial Day weekend; graduation season.
What time does it get dark in San Francisco in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:12 and rises at 05:59, giving 14.2 hours of daylight.