Early winter · Weather & things to do
San Francisco in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 5.4 in (138 mm) falling in San Francisco, alongside highs near 56°F (14°C) and lows of 44°F (7°C).
Its comfort score of 65/100 is still Good, though it ranks 12th of 12 here.
- Avg high
- 56°F (14°C)
- Avg low
- 44°F (7°C)
- Rain
- 5.4 in (138 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 65/100 · Good
What December feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 56°F (14°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 44°F (7°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.4 in (138 mm) falls in the month.
Only about 9 h 24 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 13.4 in (340 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 24 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 88/100 in November to 65/100.
- Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 44°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in San Francisco in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Vesuvio Cafe
Two-floor bohemian bar next to City Lights, a Kerouac-era hangout since 1948.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.4 in of rain.
Tartine Bakery
Mission bakery known for its morning buns, croissants and country bread.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Buena Vista Cafe
Bar at the cable car turnaround that popularized Irish coffee in the US.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter December days.
Swan Oyster Depot
Counter-only seafood bar since 1912 serving crab, oysters and Sicilian sashimi.
City Lights Booksellers
Beat-era bookstore and publisher with a poetry room upstairs.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.4 in of rain.
Nearby in December
- Sonoma in December~36 mi · highs 57°F, 6.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Napa in December~51 mi · highs 54°F, 6.4 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Healdsburg in December~63 mi · highs 56°F, 8.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in December~75 mi · highs 57°F, 4.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
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 December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 65/100, held back mainly by cloud cover. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 56°F (14°C) and 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Coast Highway route recommends Apr – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is San Francisco in December?
Average highs are 56°F (14°C) and average lows 44°F (7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in December?
Yes: about 5.4 in (138 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 23.0 in (585 mm).
What should I pack for San Francisco in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 44°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on San Francisco
Planning San Francisco in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.