San Francisco in December
Wet holiday season
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a reasonable month in San Francisco — with trade-offs.
December is the rainiest month, but Union Square's holiday tree and lights make the city festive.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 8–14°C
- Cool and rainy.
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Quiet, apart from the holidays.
- Prices
- $$
- Fair rates.
+Holiday lights around Union Square.
–The rainiest month.
My tip for December
Keep a museum day free for the rain.
- Holidays
- Food
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in San Francisco, 10th for weather, 1st for space, 4th 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 December
- Rainy season
- Most of the year's rain falls in these months, usually in storms that pass within a day or two.
November–March
Not set on December?
Even stronger months in San Francisco
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in San Francisco in December
In December San Francisco averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F), with about 121 mm of rain or snow over 12 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
- 14°C
- 57°F
- Average low
- 8°C
- 46°F
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Wet days
- 12
Climate data: NOAA (downtown San Francisco, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
San Francisco in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
- December is a reasonable month in San Francisco — with trade-offs. It ranks 6 of 12 months in San Francisco overall (10 for weather, 1 for space, 4 for value). The main upside: Holiday lights around Union Square. The main downside: The rainiest month.
- What is the weather like in San Francisco in December?
- Average highs are around 14°C and lows around 8°C. Expect about 121 mm of rain or snow over roughly 12 wet days. Cool and rainy. For comparison, the warmest month is September (around 21°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C).
- Is San Francisco crowded in December?
- Crowds are low–moderate. Quiet, apart from the holidays. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is San Francisco in December?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 ($$). Fair rates. 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 (December ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Ready to book December in San Francisco?
Holiday lights around Union Square.
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