Late summer · Weather & things to do
San Francisco in August
Little changes in San Francisco from July: highs stay near 73°F (23°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls.
At 91/100 for comfort (6th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 73°F (23°C)
- Avg low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Rain
- less than 0.1 in (3 mm)
- Humidity
- 74%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 28 min
- Comfort score
- 91/100 · Great
What August feels like
Warm afternoons near 73°F (23°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 55°F (13°C).
Rain is scarce: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around August
August is one of San Francisco's best months on the climate data.
- Comfort holds steady from July (91 → 91/100).
- August sits inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes73°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in San Francisco in August
August is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Bayfront hall of local producers: oysters, cheese, bread and coffee under one roof.
Buena Vista Cafe
Bar at the cable car turnaround that popularized Irish coffee in the US.
Vesuvio Cafe
Two-floor bohemian bar next to City Lights, a Kerouac-era hangout since 1948.
City Lights Booksellers
Beat-era bookstore and publisher with a poetry room upstairs.
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Walk partway onto the bridge from the south end for the classic span-and-bay view.
Why now August scores 91/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in August
- Sonoma in August~36 mi · highs 91°F, 0.0 in rain · 10°C (18°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Napa in August~51 mi · highs 88°F, 0.0 in rain · 8°C (15°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Healdsburg in August~63 mi · highs 76°F, 0.0 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in August~75 mi · highs 96°F, 0.0 in rain · 13°C (23°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Lands End & Ocean Beach and The Embarcadero & Ferry Building.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
San Francisco in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit San Francisco?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 91/100. Expect highs of 73°F (23°C) and less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain. August is inside the Apr – Oct window our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends.
How hot is San Francisco in August?
Average highs are 73°F (23°C) and average lows 55°F (13°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in August?
Not much: less than 0.1 in (3 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the driest month of the year. The annual total is about 23.0 in (585 mm).
What should I pack for San Francisco in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (73°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on San Francisco
Routes in season in August
- Pacific Coast Highway Apr – Oct
Planning San Francisco in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.