What is the weather like in San Francisco in January?

Expect temperatures between 7°C and 14°C with 26% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in San Francisco in January?

San Francisco in January scores 63/100 based on 30 years of climate data. A reasonable choice for your trip.

Who should visit San Francisco in January?

January in San Francisco is ideal for: Budget travelers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

San Francisco Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

14°C

Hottest around day 19

Avg Low

7°C

Coolest around day 3

Rainy Days

17days

26% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

Pacific Ocean

12.2°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Pacific Ocean

San Francisco coastline

Essential Travel Info for San Francisco

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

USD

$ United States dollar

Language

English

Driving

Right side

Connect

Thearea codesfor San Francisco are 415 a...

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.44

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for San Francisco

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

unlock smart flight estimates

Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Major Hub

100/ 100

Traffic Index

Extremely busy airport

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jul

Low

Jun

Monthly Traffic Distribution

497

Jan

532

Feb

563

Mar

577

Apr

633

May

Jun

2177

Jul

1338

Aug

2051

Sep

1911

Oct

1736

Nov

1892

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Los Angeles (LAX)

Seattle Tacoma (SEA)

New York John F Kennedy (JFK)

Las Vegas McCarran (LAS)

Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

No Requirements

No Special Vaccinations Required

Standard travel precautions apply

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit San Francisco?

👌A reasonable choice for your trip(63/100)

Short Answer

San Francisco in January features 12.2°C seas - too cold for swimming but stunning for coastal walks. Air temperatures average 14°C with 26% rain probability.

Decision Factors

Very high humidity

81% average humidity

Rough sea conditions

1.7m average wave height - Surfers Only

Off-peak season - fewer crowds

Only 23% of peak - better deals and quiet crowds

Cold sea - swimming challenging

12.2°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Exceptional dining scene

151 Michelin-listed restaurants

Good For

💰
Budget travelers
Off-peak pricing with acceptable weather conditions
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.7m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 12.2°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
81% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,San Francisco in January averages 14°C with 26% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: San Francisco in January

What are the temperatures in San Francisco in January?

Daytime highs average 14°C, nights drop to 7°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in San Francisco in January?

Expect around 17 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in San Francisco in January?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is January peak season in San Francisco?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

San Francisco Weather in January