San Francisco in August
Outside Lands month
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
August is a below-average month in San Francisco.
August is still foggy, and the Outside Lands music festival fills Golden Gate Park.
August in detail
What August actually feels like
- Weather
- 13–20°C
- Cool and foggy, with some sunny inland days.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy.
- Prices
- $$$$
- High rates, especially on festival weekend.
+The Outside Lands festival.
–Foggy, cool and busy.
My tip for August
Head inland to the Mission for warmer afternoons.
- Music
- Parks
How August compares
Against the other eleven months
10th of 12 overall in San Francisco, 8th for weather, 11th for space, 10th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for San FranciscoPlan around
What’s on in San Francisco in August
- Summer fog
- Cool, gray days are common near the coast. Bring a warm layer, even in July.
June–August
Not set on August?
Months I'd choose over August
Also good in August
Weather
Weather in San Francisco in August
In August San Francisco averages a high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F), with about 2 mm of rain or snow over 1 wet days. The warmest month is September (around 21°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C); the wettest month is December.
- Average high
- 20°C
- 68°F
- Average low
- 13°C
- 55°F
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Wet days
- 1
Climate data: NOAA (downtown San Francisco, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
San Francisco in August: the questions people ask
- Is August a good time to visit San Francisco?
- August is a below-average month in San Francisco. It ranks 10 of 12 months in San Francisco overall (8 for weather, 11 for space, 10 for value). The main upside: The Outside Lands festival. The main downside: Foggy, cool and busy.
- What is the weather like in San Francisco in August?
- Average highs are around 20°C and lows around 13°C. Expect about 2 mm of rain or snow over roughly 1 wet days. Cool and foggy, with some sunny inland days. For comparison, the warmest month is September (around 21°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C).
- Is San Francisco crowded in August?
- Crowds are high. Busy. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is San Francisco in August?
- Prices are at level 4 of 5 ($$$$). High rates, especially on festival weekend. The best-value month is January.
- When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, September is the best month overall (August ranks 10 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Still going to San Francisco in August?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — foggy, cool and busy.
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