San Francisco in May
Busy spring
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is a reasonable month in San Francisco — with trade-offs.
May is dry and mild, and the Bay to Breakers race fills the streets in mid-May.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 11–18°C
- Mild and dry, with some fog.
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Busier.
- Prices
- $$$
- Rates rise toward summer.
+Dry, mild weather.
–Fog starts to return.
My tip for May
Expect road closures on Bay to Breakers day.
- Events
- Walking
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in San Francisco, 3rd for weather, 8th for space, 7th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for San FranciscoNot set on May?
Even stronger months in San Francisco
Weather
Weather in San Francisco in May
In May San Francisco averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 11°C (52°F), with about 18 mm of rain or snow over 4 wet days. The warmest month is September (around 21°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C); the wettest month is December.
- Average high
- 18°C
- 64°F
- Average low
- 11°C
- 52°F
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Wet days
- 4
Climate data: NOAA (downtown San Francisco, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
San Francisco in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit San Francisco?
- May is a reasonable month in San Francisco — with trade-offs. It ranks 6 of 12 months in San Francisco overall (3 for weather, 8 for space, 7 for value). The main upside: Dry, mild weather. The main downside: Fog starts to return.
- What is the weather like in San Francisco in May?
- Average highs are around 18°C and lows around 11°C. Expect about 18 mm of rain or snow over roughly 4 wet days. Mild and dry, with some fog. For comparison, the warmest month is September (around 21°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C).
- Is San Francisco crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate–high. Busier. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is San Francisco in May?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Rates rise toward summer. 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 (May ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.