San Francisco weather
in January
“Green, wet, atmospheric. Bring proper waterproofs.”
Roughly 10 rainy days across the month, on average.
In january, San Francisco settles into its quieter, cooler pace. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around 14°C (58°F), cooling to 8°C after sunset. Expect meaningful rain — some 10 wet days across the month. Pack accordingly and let the weather choose your afternoons.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for San Francisco in January
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for San Francisco in January
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in San Francisco
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in San Francisco across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
San Francisco in January — FAQ
Q01Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In January, San Francisco averages a high of 14°C (58°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F), with 110mm of rainfall across roughly 10 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in San Francisco in January?
What is the average temperature in San Francisco in January?
The average high temperature in San Francisco during January is 14°C (58°F), with an average low of 8°C (46°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does San Francisco have in January?
How many rainy days does San Francisco have in January?
San Francisco averages approximately 10 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 110mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for San Francisco in January?
What should I pack for San Francisco in January?
For San Francisco in January, pack a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is San Francisco in January?
How crowded is San Francisco in January?
Tourist crowds in San Francisco during January are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.