United States San Francisco Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in San Francisco is Low
January is Low for San Francisco.
January is low season — hotel rates drop 40-50% from October peak. Restaurant Week (late January) offers prix-fixe menus at top restaurants for $35-65. Rain is common but rarely all-day. Best month for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind packing layers.
Travel score
San Francisco January Weather Stats
Avg High
14°C
Avg Low
8°C
Rainy Days
11
110mm total
Sunshine
5h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
Comfortable
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
12°C
Avg water temp
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January 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 January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hotels 40-50% off peak rates
- Museums uncrowded
- Restaurant Week deals at top spots
Cons
- 14°C high, cool
- Rain 11 days/month
- Short days (sunset 5:15pm)
January Events & Festivals
- New Year (Jan 1)
- SF Restaurant Week (late January)
San Francisco in January — Full Picture
January is low season — hotel rates drop 40-50% from October peak. Restaurant Week (late January) offers prix-fixe menus at top restaurants for $35-65. Rain is common but rarely all-day. Best month for budget-conscious travelers who don't mind packing layers.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter — high 14°C, low 8°C. Light puffer jacket or trench coat + sweater. Umbrella (11 rainy days). Warm layers for foggy mornings; midday often sunny enough for just a jacket.
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 January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
San Francisco in January is Low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in San Francisco in January?
San Francisco January averages a high of 14°C and a low of 8°C.
Does it rain much in San Francisco in January?
San Francisco January averages 110mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in San Francisco in January?
Winter — high 14°C, low 8°C. Light puffer jacket or trench coat + sweater. Umbrella (11 rainy days). Warm layers for foggy mornings; midday often sunny enough for just a jacket.
What time are sunrise and sunset in San Francisco in January?
San Francisco January sunrise is 07:25 and sunset is 17:15, with 9h 50m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San Francisco in January?
San Francisco January air quality (AQI) averages 35, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San Francisco in January?
In January, San Francisco is great for Museums (SFMOMA, de Young, Asian Art), Chinatown food walk, Ferry Building marketplace.
Is January peak season in San Francisco?
San Francisco January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit San Francisco
View Other Months
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.