April is when San Francisco finally shakes off the winter rain. After months of wet weather, with January through March each bringing 89-104mm of precipitation, April drops to roughly 22mm across maybe 3 rainy days. That shift changes the feel of the city. The parks green up, the farmers markets at the Ferry Building start overflowing with early California produce, and you can actually plan outdoor activities without checking a rain forecast every hour. But here is the thing visitors from other parts of California consistently get wrong. The average high in April sits at 15.6°C (60°F), and evenings dip to around 9.5°C (49°F). That is cooler than most people expect from a California city. You will see tourists in shorts on Market Street looking genuinely confused. Pack layers.
The Northern Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown tends to draw the biggest crowds of the month, typically across two weekends in mid-April. It is one of the largest celebrations of Japanese culture outside Japan, and the blocks around the Japan Center fill with taiko drumming, food stalls, and thousands of visitors. Outside of that event, April sits in a comfortable shoulder season. Hotel rates have not yet climbed to summer levels, restaurant reservations in the Mission and North Beach are easier to get than they will be in July, and the city still feels like it belongs to the people who live here.
To be fair, April is not San Francisco's single best month. That title likely belongs to September or October, when the city gets its warmest, clearest weather. But April offers something those months do not. The hillsides along the Marin Headlands and the coastal trails at Lands End are covered in wildflowers, the light has a particular softness to it before summer fog season kicks in, and the pace feels unhurried. It is a genuinely good time to visit, as long as you bring a jacket.
Why visit in April
- Rainfall drops from 104mm in March to 22mm in April, making this the first reliably dry month after 4 months of wet winter weather.
- The Northern Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown is one of the largest Japanese cultural celebrations in the Western Hemisphere, drawing over 200,000 visitors across two weekends.
- Hotel rates sit 15-25% below summer peak pricing, and you can still get weekend reservations at popular restaurants in the Mission and Hayes Valley without booking weeks ahead.
- Wildflower season peaks along the Marin Headlands, Lands End, and the trails above Baker Beach. California poppies, lupine, and Douglas iris carpet the hillsides through late April.
- Giants baseball returns to Oracle Park, and April games tend to have better ticket availability and lower prices than the summer schedule.
Worth knowing
- The 15.6°C (60°F) average high surprises visitors expecting warm California weather. Wind chill near the waterfront and in the Sunset district can make it feel closer to 10°C (50°F).
- Morning fog still rolls through the western neighborhoods, particularly the Richmond and the Sunset, even as downtown and the Mission sit in sun. The microclimates are real.
- Some outdoor attractions that depend on warm weather, like swimming at Aquatic Park or comfortable evenings on rooftop bars, are still not practical in April.
- The city's tourist season is starting to ramp up, so popular spots like Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge welcome viewpoints see noticeably more foot traffic than February or March.
Best for
Think twice if
April marks the transition from San Francisco's wet winter to its dry summer. Expect cool, mostly dry days with average highs near 15.6°C (60°F) and lows around 9.5°C (49°F). Rainfall drops to about 22mm across roughly 3 rainy days, a dramatic improvement over the 89-104mm months that preceded it. Humidity hovers around 77%, which sounds high but reads as a cool dampness rather than tropical stickiness. Mornings often start with low clouds or fog in western neighborhoods like the Sunset and the Richmond, burning off by midday in the eastern half of the city. Wind is the real weather story. Afternoon gusts near the waterfront and along the Golden Gate can be persistent, and the wind chill near Ocean Beach drops the perceived temperature noticeably. The air tends to smell of salt and eucalyptus along the coastal trails.
Seasonal caution
- Persistent wind along the coast and near the Golden Gate Bridge can drop the perceived temperature 5-8°C below the actual reading. Dress for 10°C (50°F) if you are spending the day at Crissy Field, Lands End, or Ocean Beach.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14 | 8 | 104 |
| Feb | 14 | 8 | 89 |
| Mar | 14 | 9 | 104 |
| Apr | 16 | 10 | 22 |
| May | 17 | 11 | 12 |
| Jun | 18 | 12 | 2 |
| Jul | 18 | 13 | 0 |
| Aug | 20 | 14 | 1 |
| Sep | 20 | 14 | 5 |
| Oct | 20 | 13 | 43 |
| Nov | 16 | 10 | 78 |
| Dec | 13 | 8 | 191 |
Headline events
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Two weekends in mid-April (typically the 2nd and 3rd weekends)
One of the largest Japanese cultural festivals outside Japan, spanning two weekends in Japantown around the Japan Center and Peace Plaza. Taiko drumming echoes down Post Street, food vendors line Webster Street with takoyaki and mochi, and the Grand Parade on the closing Sunday draws thousands along Post Street to City Hall. The festival has run since 1968.
Best things to do in April
Wildflower hiking at Marin Headlands
natureThe trails above Rodeo Beach and along the Coastal Trail fill with California poppies, lupine, and Douglas iris from late March through April. The Headlands sit directly across the Golden Gate from the city, and you get views of the bridge, the Pacific, and the wildflower hillsides all at once. The 5km loop from the parking area at Conzelman Road is the most accessible route.
Peak wildflower bloom along the Marin Headlands trails, with California poppies and lupine at their densest in the second and third weeks of April.Booking tipNo reservation needed. Parking at Conzelman Road and Battery Spencer fills by 10am on weekends. Arrive early or take the Muni 76X bus to the Marin Headlands on Sundays.
Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown
cultureTwo weekends of performances, food, and Japanese cultural programming centered on the Japan Center and Peace Plaza on Post Street. The taiko performances reverberate off the buildings, food stalls sell takoyaki and grilled mochi, and the closing-day Grand Parade runs from Civic Center to Japantown. Over 200,000 people attend across the two weekends.
The festival is held exclusively in mid-April, timed to the cherry blossom bloom. It has run annually since 1968.Booking tipFree admission. The area around Post Street and Buchanan gets crowded by noon on both Saturdays. Morning visits are calmer.
Giants baseball at Oracle Park
sportThe Giants play their early-season home games at Oracle Park on the waterfront in the China Basin neighborhood. The ballpark sits right on McCovey Cove, and you can watch kayakers beyond the right-field wall waiting for home run balls. The garlic fries from the concourse concession stands have a cult following. April evenings at the park can be chilly, so bring a jacket even if the afternoon felt warm.
April is the start of the MLB home schedule. Ticket availability is better and pricing is lower than during the packed June-September stretch.Booking tipWeeknight games against non-marquee opponents tend to have the best availability. Buy directly from the team site rather than resale markets for April dates.
Lands End coastal trail walk
natureThe Lands End trail runs about 2.5km along the rocky northwestern tip of the San Francisco peninsula, from the ruins of the Sutro Baths to Eagle's Point and beyond. In April, the trail is lined with wildflowers and you can hear barking sea lions on the rocks below. On a clear day, the views north to the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge are remarkable. The path is mostly flat and accessible.
Spring wildflowers along the bluffs, clearer morning light before summer fog season, and fewer hikers than the May-September peak.Booking tipFree. The parking lot at the Sutro Baths trailhead fills quickly on weekend mornings. The 38 Geary bus stops within a 10-minute walk.
SF International Film Festival screenings
cultureThe San Francisco International Film Festival, run by SFFILM, is one of the longest-running film festivals in the Americas, established in 1957. It typically screens over 150 films across venues including the Castro Theatre, the Roxie Theater, and SFMOMA. The programming leans toward independent and international cinema. April screenings often include premieres that go on to play at Cannes or Venice later in the year.
The festival's main run falls in April, with the densest screening schedule in the second and third weeks of the month.Booking tipPopular screenings at the Castro Theatre sell out. Check the SFFILM schedule when it publishes in late March and book opening-night and closing-night films early.
Ferry Building Farmers Market browsing
foodThe Saturday morning market at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero is one of the best farmers markets in California. April brings the first strawberries, fava beans, spring lettuces, and artichokes from Central Coast and Central Valley farms. The market runs from 8am to 2pm along the waterfront side of the building, and the smell of fresh bread from Acme and coffee from Blue Bottle mixes with the salt air off the Bay.
April is the transition month when winter root vegetables give way to spring produce. The market's variety peaks as two seasons overlap.Booking tipNo reservation. Arrive by 9am for the best selection. The indoor shops at the Ferry Building are open all week if you miss the Saturday market.
Cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge
outdoorThe 2.7km ride across the Golden Gate Bridge from the San Francisco side to Vista Point in Marin County is one of the most photographed cycling routes in the world. April's drier weather and moderate temperatures make the crossing more comfortable than winter months. The west sidewalk is typically open to cyclists, with pedestrians on the east sidewalk. Wind can be strong at the midpoint of the span.
Drier conditions and moderate 15°C temperatures make April a more reliable month for the crossing than the wet January-March period. Fog is less frequent than in the summer months.Booking tipRental shops near Fisherman's Wharf and at the Presidio rent bikes by the hour or day. Weekday mornings have the lightest bridge traffic.
What to eat in April
In season: fruit
Spring strawberries
California's strawberry season starts picking up speed in April. The Ferry Building Farmers Market on Saturdays features flats of Chandler and Albion varieties from farms in Watsonville and the Salinas Valley. They taste nothing like supermarket berries. Warm, fragrant, almost candy-sweet.
On menus now
Dungeness crab
The commercial Dungeness season runs November through June, but April is often the tail end of peak availability at places like Swan Oyster Depot and the Fisherman's Wharf stalls. Prices tend to dip as the season winds down. The meat is sweet and briny, and you will smell the steam from the sidewalk crab pots a block away.
In markets
Fava beans
April is prime fava season at Bay Area farmers markets. You will find them piled high at the Tuesday and Saturday markets at the Ferry Building. Local restaurants like Zuni Cafe and Chez Panisse tend to feature them in spring menus, often with pecorino and olive oil.
Spot prawns
April marks the start of spot prawn season along the Northern California coast. These show up at the better fish counters and at restaurants in the Richmond district's Clement Street corridor. They are sweeter and firmer than typical shrimp, with a texture closer to lobster.
Artichokes
Castroville, about 160km south of San Francisco on Highway 1, calls itself the Artichoke Capital of the World. April is peak harvest. You will find them at every farmers market in the city, often sold 4 or 5 to a bunch. The Globe variety dominates.
Regular events in April
SF International Film Festival
One of the oldest film festivals in the Americas, screening 150+ independent and international films at the Castro Theatre, Roxie Theater, and SFMOMA over roughly two weeks in April. Established in 1957.
Mid-April through late AprilGiants home opener at Oracle Park
The first home game of the MLB season at Oracle Park typically falls in early to mid-April. The waterfront ballpark fills to its 41,265 capacity, and the surrounding China Basin neighborhood hums with pregame activity.
Early to mid-AprilEarth Day celebrations at Crissy FieldFree
The Presidio Trust and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy typically host Earth Day events at Crissy Field and in the Presidio, with volunteer habitat restoration, nature walks, and educational programs along the waterfront.
Around April 22Sunday Streets open road eventsFree
San Francisco's car-free open streets program opens multi-block stretches of city roads to pedestrians, cyclists, and community activities on select Sundays. April routes have historically included the Embarcadero and parts of the Mission.
Select Sundays in AprilBest places this April
Marin Headlands
natureThe headlands across the Golden Gate from San Francisco offer wildflower-covered hillsides, World War II-era bunkers, and views back toward the city skyline. The Coastal Trail from Rodeo Beach is the signature April hike.
Marin County (across the Golden Gate Bridge)Lands End Trail
natureA 2.5km coastal trail along the northwest edge of the peninsula, passing the ruins of the Sutro Baths. In April, wildflowers line the bluffs and the morning light is softer than in summer.
Outer RichmondFerry Building Marketplace
foodThe 1898 Beaux-Arts building on the Embarcadero houses food vendors, restaurants, and the Saturday farmers market. April's market features the first spring strawberries, favas, and artichokes from nearby farms.
EmbarcaderoJapantown and the Japan Center
cultureSan Francisco's Japantown, centered on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore, is the oldest Japantown in the United States. The Japan Center mall anchors the neighborhood, and in April the Cherry Blossom Festival transforms the surrounding blocks.
Western AdditionOracle Park
sportThe Giants' waterfront ballpark in China Basin, opened in 2000, seats 41,265 and sits directly on McCovey Cove. April games offer a less crowded introduction to what is widely considered one of the best ballparks in Major League Baseball.
China Basin / South BeachGolden Gate Park
natureThe 412-hectare park stretches from the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to Ocean Beach. In April, the Botanical Garden's magnolia and cherry collections are in bloom, and the park's meadows green up after winter rain. The de Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences sit at its center.
Inner Sunset / Inner RichmondPresidio of San Francisco
natureA former military post turned national park site, covering 607 hectares at the city's northern tip. April brings wildflowers along the Batteries to Bluffs trail and comfortable temperatures for exploring the forested interior.
PresidioCastro Theatre
cultureThe 1922 Spanish Colonial Revival movie palace on Castro Street seats 1,407 and hosts SFFILM Festival screenings in April. The Wurlitzer organ still plays before select evening showings.
Castro
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Insider tips
The western side of San Francisco (the Richmond, the Sunset, Ocean Beach) can be 5-8°C cooler than the Mission or downtown on the same afternoon. Check the weather for specific neighborhoods, not the city average, before heading out.
The 38 Geary bus runs from downtown through the Richmond district to Lands End. It is one of the most useful transit lines for visitors and far easier than driving and parking at the trailhead.
Clement Street in the Inner Richmond has some of the best affordable food in the city, from Burmese to dim sum to Russian bakeries. It gets a fraction of the tourist traffic that the Mission or North Beach receive.
The Saturday morning Ferry Building farmers market is busiest between 10am and noon. Show up at 8am when it opens and you will have space to browse, talk to farmers, and get coffee without fighting through crowds.
If you are visiting during Cherry Blossom Festival weekends, the blocks around Japantown fill up fast. Parking is difficult. Take the 38 Geary or 22 Fillmore bus instead.
Alcatraz tickets for April sell out weeks in advance. If you want to visit, book through the official National Park Service concessionaire at least 3-4 weeks ahead. Third-party resellers charge substantial markups.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing for warm California weather. San Francisco in April averages 15.6°C (60°F), which is cooler than Los Angeles in January. The single most common mistake is arriving with shorts, sandals, and no jacket.
- Assuming the weather is the same across the city. The Mission district might be 18°C and sunny while the Sunset is 12°C and fogged in. San Francisco's microclimates are not a myth.
- Skipping Alcatraz because tickets seem sold out. The official site releases tickets on a rolling basis. Check early morning for cancellations. But waiting until you arrive to try to book is usually too late for April dates.
- Spending all your time at Fisherman's Wharf. The Wharf is the most touristy stretch in the city and most locals avoid it. The views are better from Crissy Field, the food is better in the Mission or the Richmond, and the atmosphere is better in North Beach.
- Driving everywhere. San Francisco is a compact 121 square kilometers with aggressive parking enforcement and limited street parking. Muni, BART, and walking cover most visitor destinations more efficiently than a rental car.
Practical tips for April
Dress in layers you can add and remove throughout the day. Mornings typically start cool and foggy at 9-10°C, afternoons clear to 15-16°C, and evenings drop again. A Clipper card for Muni and BART transit saves time and money over individual fares. If you are visiting during the Cherry Blossom Festival weekends in mid-April, book Japantown-area hotels early, as nearby options fill up. Restaurant reservations in popular neighborhoods like the Mission, Hayes Valley, and North Beach are easier to get in April than in summer, but weekend dinner at well-known spots still benefits from booking 3-5 days ahead. Alcatraz requires advance tickets, typically 3-4 weeks out for April dates. The Muni F-line historic streetcars run along Market Street and the Embarcadero and are both a transit option and a sightseeing ride. The cable cars on the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines are worth riding once, but expect 30-45 minute waits at the turnaround near Union Square on weekend afternoons.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit San Francisco?
April is a good month to visit, likely the 4th best out of 12. You get the first reliably dry weather after winter, wildflower season on the coastal trails, and shoulder-season pricing on hotels. The trade-off is cooler temperatures than most people expect from California, with highs around 15.6°C (60°F). September and October are typically warmer and clearer, but April has better hotel rates and fewer crowds.
What should I wear in San Francisco in April?
Layers. Mornings start around 9.5°C (49°F), often with fog in the western half of the city. Afternoons warm to about 15.6°C (60°F) with sun. A windbreaker or medium jacket, a light sweater, a long-sleeve base layer, and comfortable walking shoes cover most situations. The waterfront and the Golden Gate Bridge area get persistent wind that makes it feel 5-8°C colder than the thermometer reads.
Does it rain a lot in San Francisco in April?
Not compared to winter. April averages about 22mm of rain across roughly 3 rainy days, down from 89-104mm per month during January through March. When it does rain, the showers tend to be brief. A compact rain shell in your bag is enough. You are unlikely to lose a full day to rain in April.
Can I swim at the beaches in San Francisco in April?
Ocean Beach and Baker Beach are better for walking and photography than swimming in April. The Pacific water temperature sits around 11-12°C (52-54°F), and the air temperature of 15.6°C makes it uncomfortable for most people. Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf is where the city's open-water swimming community goes year-round, but they wear wetsuits. The swimming season for casual visitors does not really start until late summer, and even then it is cold by most standards.
How far in advance should I book Alcatraz tickets for April?
At least 3-4 weeks ahead. Alcatraz is the most-visited National Park Service site in San Francisco, and April tickets sell through the official concessionaire on a rolling basis. If you check and find your dates sold out, look again early in the morning for cancellations. Third-party resellers carry substantial markups over the official price.
Is the Golden Gate Bridge foggy in April?
April has less fog than the summer months of June through August, when the marine layer is at its thickest. That said, morning fog is still common, particularly before 10-11am. The bridge tends to clear by midday on most April days. For the best chance of a clear view, visit in the early afternoon. The Marin Headlands side offers views back toward the city with the bridge in the foreground.
Things to Do in San Francisco in April
Free cancellation Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry)
Day trip — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
Day trip — free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco
Day trip — 14 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco w Pickup
Outdoor experience — 15 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country w/ optional Gourmet Lunch
Day trip — 11 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation San Francisco Love Tour
City tour — 2 hours, free cancellation.
via ViatorLast verified by automated review (v1.7.2) on June 23, 2026. What is automated review?