December in San Francisco is the wettest month of the year. The city averages 191mm of rain across roughly 13 days, with daytime highs near 13°C (56°F) and overnight lows around 8°C (47°F). If your picture of California is permanent sunshine, December will correct that quickly. Real Pacific rainstorms replace the famous summer fog, and some of these systems sit over the Bay Area for 2 or 3 days straight. Winds off the ocean pick up, and by 5pm it's dark.
That said, San Francisco does the holidays with a particular low-key warmth. The SF Ballet's Nutcracker has been staged at the War Memorial Opera House since 1944. Union Square puts up a tall Christmas tree and an outdoor ice rink that stays open into January. Dungeness crab season hits full stride along Fisherman's Wharf and at the Ferry Building, where you can buy a whole cracked crab and eat it on a bench overlooking the bay. The smell of sourdough and roasting coffee drifts through North Beach on cold mornings.
BART and Muni keep the city navigable in the rain. The ride from SFO to downtown Powell Street takes about 35 minutes on BART, and the F-Market heritage streetcar runs along the Embarcadero in restored mid-century cars from cities like Milan and Philadelphia. The Mission District stays a few degrees warmer than the western neighborhoods, sheltered from the ocean wind by Twin Peaks. Steamy taquerias and coffee shops along Valencia Street fill up on wet afternoons. Hayes Valley's small boutiques do steady holiday shopping traffic along Octavia Street. The Sunset and Richmond districts, quieter and more residential, have some of the city's best dim sum and ramen for cold, damp evenings.
Why visit in December
- Dungeness crab season peaks in December. Beyond the Wharf's tourist-facing stalls, restaurants in the Richmond and Sunset districts serve it in garlic noodles and congee, and dim sum houses add fresh crab to their seasonal menus. The meat is at its sweetest and most plentiful this month.
- San Francisco's Muni system makes rainy-day sightseeing manageable without a car. The N-Judah streetcar runs from downtown to Ocean Beach, the 38-Geary bus crosses the Richmond District to Lands End, and the historic cable cars operate year-round on the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason routes.
- Holiday decorations transform Union Square, Ghirardelli Square, and the Embarcadero waterfront. The Union Square tree lighting draws several thousand people in early December.
- When dry days appear, December offers some of the clearest air quality of the year. The summer wildfire-smoke risk is effectively zero, and the rain washes the atmosphere clean.
Worth knowing
- At 191mm, December is the rainiest month by a wide margin. January, the next wettest, averages only 104mm. Expect roughly half the month to involve some form of rain.
- Daylight is short. Sunrise comes after 7:15am and sunset falls before 5pm, leaving under 10 hours of light for outdoor sightseeing.
- Hotel prices climb 20-30% for the holiday weeks, and popular restaurants in the Mission and Hayes Valley book out for December weekend dinners by mid-November.
- Ocean Beach and most outdoor attractions become genuinely unpleasant in sustained rain. Wind gusts along the coast can reach 40-50 km/h (25-30 mph) during storms.
Best for
Think twice if
December is San Francisco's coldest and wettest month. Daytime highs typically hover around 13.3°C (56°F) with overnight lows near 8.2°C (47°F). The 191mm of rainfall comes mostly from Pacific storm systems that can last 1-3 days, separated by dry breaks. Morning fog is less common than in summer, but overcast skies are the norm. Humidity sits at 85%. Wind picks up along the coast and through the gaps in the hills, making it feel colder than the thermometer reads. Clear days do happen, maybe 4 or 5 per month, and they tend to be genuinely beautiful with sharp light and clean air.
Seasonal caution
- Pacific atmospheric river storms can deliver 50-80mm of rain in a single 24-hour period during December, occasionally causing localized flooding in low-lying areas near Mission Creek and along the Great Highway. Check weather forecasts before planning outdoor activities.
- Wind chill along the coast, especially at Ocean Beach and Lands End, can make 13°C feel closer to 5-7°C (41-45°F). Exposed headlands like the Marin Headlands side of the Golden Gate Bridge are notably colder and windier than downtown.
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
San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker
Mid-December through December 30
The longest-running Nutcracker production in the US, staged at the War Memorial Opera House since 1944. Over 50 performances from mid-December through late December draw around 100,000 attendees each season. The Opera House's 3,146-seat Beaux-Arts interior makes this a destination production that people fly in for.
Best things to do in December
Storm watching at Lands End and Sutro Baths
natureThe Lands End coastal trail winds along the cliffs above the Pacific, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. After a storm, waves crash against the ruins of the 1896 Sutro Baths, sending spray 3-4 meters into the air. The 2.5 km paved trail from the Lands End Lookout visitor center to Eagle's Point is manageable in wet weather with proper shoes.
December's Pacific storms produce the most dramatic wave action of the year, and the trail sees far fewer walkers than in summer.Gray whale watching from Point Reyes
naturePoint Reyes National Seashore, about 90 minutes north of San Francisco by car, sits directly on the Pacific gray whale migration route. The Lighthouse Observation Deck, reached by a 300-step staircase, offers some of the best land-based whale watching on the California coast. On peak days, observers count 20 or more spouts per hour from the headland.
The southbound gray whale migration from Alaska to Baja California peaks between mid-December and late January.Booking tipThe lighthouse area closes to private vehicles on weekends and holidays during whale season. A free shuttle runs from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
Holiday shopping in Hayes Valley
shoppingHayes Valley's 4-block stretch along Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna holds independent boutiques, design shops, and local chocolate and pastry stores. December brings holiday pop-up markets and extended evening hours in a neighborhood compact enough to walk in under 2 hours.
Shops stock holiday-exclusive items and host evening shopping events through December. The neighborhood is quieter and more walkable than Union Square.Dungeness crab tasting across neighborhoods
foodThe Ferry Building Marketplace, Fisherman's Wharf, and less-touristed spots in the Sunset and Richmond districts all serve fresh Dungeness crab prepared in different ways. You'll find whole cracked crab at the Wharf, garlic crab noodles at Chinese restaurants along Clement Street, and cioppino at Italian spots on Columbus Avenue in North Beach.
Commercial Dungeness season typically opens mid-November, and December brings peak supply with the freshest, heaviest catch of the season.Rainy-day museum circuit
cultureSFMOMA in SoMa holds one of the largest modern art collections on the West Coast across 7 floors. The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park focuses on American art and textiles. The California Academy of Sciences, also in Golden Gate Park, combines an aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest dome under a living roof. All three are reachable within 20 minutes of each other by Muni.
December rain makes indoor attractions especially appealing, and winter crowds are lighter than summer.Walking the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear morning
sightseeingThe pedestrian walkway on the east side of the Golden Gate Bridge is open to walkers daily from about 5am to 6:30pm in December. The 2.7 km crossing from the San Francisco side to the Vista Point on the Marin end takes roughly 35 minutes. On clear post-storm days, the rain-washed visibility can stretch to the Farallon Islands, 48 km offshore.
Post-storm December air is some of the cleanest of the year, and the bridge is noticeably less crowded than during summer tourist season.Booking tipDress in layers. The bridge is significantly windier and colder than downtown, even on sunny days. A hat and a windproof jacket are worth carrying.
What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Hachiya and Fuyu persimmons
Northern California farms in Winters and the Sacramento Delta grow both varieties. December is peak season. Fuyu persimmons are crisp and eaten like apples. Hachiya persimmons ripen to a soft, custardy texture and work well in baking and persimmon pudding. Both show up at the Ferry Building Farmers Market on Saturdays and at produce stands along Stockton Street in Chinatown.
Meyer lemons
A sweeter, thinner-skinned citrus variety that Northern California grows in volume. December is peak harvest season. You'll spot them at the Ferry Building Farmers Market and in cocktails and winter tarts at bakeries across the city. The fragrant zest has a floral quality that sets it apart from standard lemons.
On menus now
Cioppino
San Francisco's signature tomato-based seafood stew was born in the Italian fishing community of North Beach. December is the ideal month for it because fresh Dungeness crab anchors the bowl. Restaurants along Columbus Avenue and at Fisherman's Wharf serve versions ranging from tourist-friendly to genuinely excellent.
What to drink
Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe
The Buena Vista Cafe at the corner of Hyde and Beach streets near Fisherman's Wharf claims to have introduced Irish coffee to America in 1952. The bar reportedly serves around 2,000 per day, made with Tullamore Dew whiskey and heavy cream floated on top. December's cold, damp evenings make the warm glass feel especially right.
In markets
Dungeness crab
California's commercial Dungeness season typically opens in mid-November, and by December the crabs are plentiful, heavy, and at their most competitive pricing. Fisherman's Wharf stalls sell them whole and cracked. The sweet, briny meat tastes best with sourdough bread and melted butter.
Regular events in December
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
A Victorian-themed holiday market held weekends at the Cow Palace venue in Daly City, about 15 minutes south of downtown San Francisco. Actors in period costume, handmade gifts, and traditional British food fill the exhibition hall. The event has run since 1970.
Weekends from late November through late DecemberUnion Square Holiday Ice Rink
An outdoor ice skating rink set up in the center of Union Square beneath the holiday tree. The rink opens in early November and stays through mid-January, drawing families and tourists through the afternoon and evening hours.
Daily, early November through mid-JanuarySan Francisco Symphony Holiday Concerts
Davies Symphony Hall on Van Ness Avenue hosts a series of holiday concerts through December, including performances of Handel's Messiah and family-oriented holiday matinees. The hall seats 2,743 in a modern interior completed in 1980.
Multiple dates throughout DecemberSantaCon San FranciscoFree
A citywide bar crawl where thousands of participants in Santa costumes move through SoMa, the Marina, and North Beach. San Francisco hosted one of the earliest SantaCon events in 1994, and it remains one of the largest in the country.
Second Saturday of DecemberBest places this December
Ferry Building Marketplace
foodA food hall and farmers market along the Embarcadero waterfront. The Saturday morning outdoor market features winter produce, artisan bread, oysters, and seasonal persimmons from Northern California farms. The building itself dates to 1898 and was restored in 2003.
EmbarcaderoSFMOMA
museumSan Francisco Museum of Modern Art holds over 33,000 works across 7 floors in its SoMa building on 3rd Street. The photography and media arts collections are particularly deep. December's rainy days make this a natural first stop.
SoMade Young Museum
museumFine arts museum in Golden Gate Park with American painting, textile, and Oceanic art collections. The Hamon Tower observation deck on the 9th floor offers free 360-degree views of the park and the city skyline.
Golden Gate ParkLands End and Sutro Baths ruins
natureA coastal trail with Pacific views and the remains of the 1896 Sutro Baths, a massive public bathhouse that burned in 1966. The concrete ruins sit at the edge of the ocean and fill with tidal pools. December storms make the site feel especially raw and dramatic.
Outer RichmondChinatown (Grant Avenue and Stockton Street)
neighborhoodThe oldest Chinatown in North America, established in the 1840s. Grant Avenue is the tourist-facing main street. Stockton Street, one block west, is where locals shop for produce, live seafood, and roast meats hanging in shop windows. December mornings on Stockton smell like roast duck and steamed buns.
ChinatownNorth Beach
neighborhoodSan Francisco's Little Italy, centered on Columbus Avenue. Caffe Trieste has served espresso here since 1956, and City Lights Bookstore has been open since 1953. December afternoons fill the cafes with locals avoiding the rain, and the Italian restaurants serve cioppino with fresh Dungeness crab.
North Beach
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Insider tips
The Mission District sits in a rain shadow created by Twin Peaks and typically stays 2-3°C warmer than the western neighborhoods. Valencia Street between 16th and 24th streets has the densest concentration of restaurants and bars in the city, making it a good base for rainy evenings.
BART from SFO to downtown takes about 35 minutes and avoids holiday traffic on US-101. The airport BART station is inside the international terminal, connected by the AirTrain from all other terminals.
The Cable Car Museum on Mason Street at Washington Street is free and shows the actual mechanical winding system that pulls the cables under the city's streets. It tends to be empty even when the cable car lines outside have 45-minute waits.
December restaurant reservations in the Mission and Hayes Valley fill fast. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for Friday and Saturday dinners. Weeknight tables are usually available with a day or two of notice.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing for stereotypical California sunshine. December in San Francisco means rain, 13°C highs, and ocean wind. Cotton clothes and sandals will leave you cold and wet by day 2.
- Spending all your crab time at Fisherman's Wharf. The Wharf stalls serve decent cracked crab, but Chinese restaurants in the Richmond and Sunset districts cook it in garlic butter and black bean sauce with more variety and better value.
- Underestimating the hills in wet weather. Streets like Filbert between Sansome and Montgomery, or the Hyde Street hill near Lombard, get slippery on wet pavement. Shoes with real tread matter.
- Driving to Point Reyes for whale watching without checking shuttle schedules. On weekends during whale season, the road to the lighthouse closes to private vehicles, and the shuttle from Bear Valley fills up.
Practical tips for December
Book holiday-week hotels and popular restaurants by early November. San Francisco's December weather changes fast, so check forecasts daily and keep indoor alternatives ready for any outdoor plan. Muni and BART run slightly reduced schedules on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Multi-day Muni passes cover unlimited rides on buses, streetcars, and cable cars. Dress in removable layers, because the temperature difference between a sunny sidewalk and a shaded, windy corner can feel like 5-6°C. Street parking is scarce in Union Square, North Beach, and the Mission, so BART and Muni are usually faster and less frustrating than a rental car.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit San Francisco?
December is a fair month for visiting. You'll likely get rain on about half the days, and daylight is short, with sunset before 5pm. But the city's indoor attractions, food scene, and holiday events make it rewarding if you plan around the weather. September and October are widely considered the best months for weather.
Does it rain every day in San Francisco in December?
Not every day. December averages roughly 13 days with measurable rain, leaving about 18 days that are dry or mostly dry. Pacific storms tend to arrive in multi-day bursts followed by clear breaks of 2-4 days. Those dry windows often bring crisp, clean air and long views across the bay.
Can you walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in December?
Yes, the pedestrian walkway on the east side is open daily year-round. December hours run from about 5am to 6:30pm. The bridge is noticeably windier and colder than downtown, so bring a windproof jacket and a hat. On clear post-storm days, the visibility from the span is extraordinary.
Which San Francisco neighborhoods are best for December dining?
The Mission District along Valencia Street has the highest restaurant density in the city and sits in a warmer microclimate. North Beach on Columbus Avenue is strong for Italian food and cioppino during crab season. Hayes Valley near the performing arts venues works well for pre-show dinners. The Richmond District's Clement Street corridor has excellent Chinese and Southeast Asian cooking for cold evenings.
Things to Do in San Francisco in December
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.
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