United States San Francisco Weather in December (Christmas + New Year) — Climate Guide
December (Christmas + New Year) in San Francisco is Moderate
December (Christmas + New Year) is Moderate for San Francisco.
December has the holiday spectacle (Union Square giant tree, ice rink, decorated department stores) but also winter rain + cold evenings. December 31 fireworks over the Bay from Embarcadero are spectacular but crowded. Hotel rates spike for the Dec 26-Jan 2 window — book 2+ months ahead.
Travel score
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) Weather Stats
Avg High
14°C
Avg Low
8°C
Rainy Days
10
110mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Comfortable
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
13°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December (Christmas + New Year) Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
13°C
Nighttime
7°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for December (Christmas + New Year)
December (Christmas + New Year) Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas tree + ice rink in Union Square
- New Year fireworks over Bay
Cons
- 14/8°C cool
- Rain 10 days/month
- Dec 26-Jan 2 hotel surge
December (Christmas + New Year) Events & Festivals
- Union Square Christmas tree (lit late November)
- Embarcadero Center holiday lights
- Dec 31 New Year fireworks at Embarcadero
San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year) — Full Picture
December has the holiday spectacle (Union Square giant tree, ice rink, decorated department stores) but also winter rain + cold evenings. December 31 fireworks over the Bay from Embarcadero are spectacular but crowded. Hotel rates spike for the Dec 26-Jan 2 window — book 2+ months ahead.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter — high 14°C, low 8°C. Light puffer jacket + sweater + umbrella. Cooler evenings (single-digit lows).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
17.3°C
11°C
5.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
19.3°C
13.3°C
0.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
20.3°C
12.7°C
3.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current14.3°C
8.3°C
10.3/mo
San Francisco Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14° | 8° | 11d·110mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 15° | 9° | 10d·110mm | 6h | 73% | 4 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 16° | 10° | 8d·75mm | 8h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 17° | 11° | 5d·35mm | 9h | 70% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 19° | 12° | 3d·18mm | 10h | 70% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| 19° | 13° | 1d·5mm | 9h | 75% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 19° | 13° | 0d·0mm | 9h | 78% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 20° | 14° | 0d·0mm | 9h | 78% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 22° | 14° | 1d·8mm | 10h | 73% | 8 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 21° | 13° | 3d·28mm | 8h | 73% | 6 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 18° | 11° | 7d·70mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| 14° | 8° | 10d·110mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December (Christmas + New Year) a good time to visit San Francisco?
San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year) is Moderate. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) averages a high of 14°C and a low of 8°C.
Does it rain much in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) averages 110mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
Winter — high 14°C, low 8°C. Light puffer jacket + sweater + umbrella. Cooler evenings (single-digit lows).
What time are sunrise and sunset in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) sunrise is 07:15 and sunset is 16:55, with 9h 40m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) air quality (AQI) averages 35, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San Francisco in December (Christmas + New Year)?
In December (Christmas + New Year), San Francisco is great for Union Square Christmas tree + ice rink, Dec 31 fireworks (Embarcadero), Museums.
Is December (Christmas + New Year) peak season in San Francisco?
San Francisco December (Christmas + New Year) crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit San Francisco
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.