January is San Francisco's rainy season, and there's no sugarcoating it. The city receives about 104mm of rainfall across roughly 8 days, temperatures sit between 7.7°C (46°F) at night and 13.9°C (57°F) during the afternoon, and a damp Pacific wind tends to settle into the neighborhoods by late afternoon. If you're picturing the California of postcards, with warm beaches and golden light, recalibrate. This is wool-sweater-and-rain-jacket weather, the kind of chill that creeps through cotton and makes a warm bowl of cioppino feel like a life event.
That said, January has genuine draws that the other rainy months don't. Hotel rates across SoMa and Union Square drop to their lowest point of the year, sometimes 30-40% below the September peak. Dungeness crab season is at full tilt along Fisherman's Wharf and Clement Street in the Richmond. SF Sketchfest, the largest comedy festival in the United States, fills stages across the city for nearly three weeks. And when a storm clears, the day or two of crisp air that follows produces a low-angle winter light over the Golden Gate Bridge that photographers seem to prefer above all others.
This is a month for museums, long restaurant dinners, and layered clothing. If you want a San Francisco trip built around SFMOMA, dim sum in Chinatown, and craft cocktails in Hayes Valley, January delivers. If you need 5 consecutive days of sunshine, September and October average fewer than 50mm of rain combined and sit 6°C warmer.
Why visit in January
- Hotel rates in Union Square and SoMa drop 30-40% from the September-October peak, making January the most affordable month for accommodations in the city.
- Dungeness crab season reaches its peak, with the sweetest catches available at Fisherman's Wharf, the Asian seafood markets on Clement Street, and restaurants citywide.
- SF Sketchfest runs for nearly three weeks in mid-to-late January, bringing hundreds of comedians to venues from the Gateway Theatre to the Marines' Memorial.
- Crowds at popular attractions like Alcatraz, the California Academy of Sciences, and the cable cars thin out noticeably, with wait times a fraction of summer levels.
- Clear days between storms produce some of the cleanest air and sharpest light of the year, ideal for photography at Lands End, Baker Beach, and Coit Tower.
Worth knowing
- Rain is a near-certainty, with 104mm falling across about 8 days, sometimes in multi-day stretches that limit outdoor plans.
- Temperatures of 8-14°C (46-57°F) feel colder than they read, thanks to Pacific wind and humidity that hovers around 79%.
- Shorter daylight hours mean sunset arrives by 5:15pm, cutting afternoon hikes short at places like Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands.
- Some outdoor-focused businesses near Ocean Beach and along the waterfront reduce hours or close for the season.
Best for
Think twice if
January is the second-wettest month in San Francisco after December. Rain arrives in distinct multi-day storm systems driven by Pacific weather patterns, with clear, cool breaks between them. Daytime highs average 13.9°C (57°F) and overnight lows settle near 7.7°C (46°F). Humidity stays around 79%. Morning fog is common along Ocean Beach and the Sunset district, though it usually lifts by midday in the Mission and downtown. The wind off the bay adds a chill that makes the moderate temperatures feel sharper than they look on paper. You might get 3 rainy days in a row, then 2 days of clean blue sky, then another storm.
Seasonal caution
- Atmospheric rivers can deliver 2-3 consecutive days of heavy rainfall, occasionally triggering localized flooding in low-lying areas near the Embarcadero and parts of SoMa. Check 5-day forecasts before finalizing outdoor plans.
- King tides typically peak in January, pushing water levels well above normal along the waterfront. The Embarcadero promenade and Crissy Field can flood during combined king-tide-and-storm events.
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
SF Sketchfest
Mid-January through early February
The largest comedy festival in the United States fills venues across San Francisco for nearly three weeks. The lineup typically mixes headliners with improv troupes, sketch groups, and podcast tapings. The Gateway Theatre in Chinatown and the Marines' Memorial Theatre near Union Square are two of the main stages.
Best things to do in January
Explore SFMOMA's winter exhibitions
cultureSFMOMA's 7 floors of gallery space in SoMa make it one of the largest modern art museums in the United States. January's rainy afternoons pair well with the permanent collection's deep holdings in photography, painting, and sculpture. The museum typically rotates 2-3 temporary exhibitions around this time of year.
Rainy January days are ideal for spending 3-4 hours inside, and winter crowds are noticeably thinner than summer.Booking tipWeekday mornings tend to be the quietest. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Dungeness crab crawl along Clement Street
foodThe Richmond district's Clement Street corridor between 2nd and 12th Avenues is lined with Chinese, Vietnamese, and Burmese restaurants, many of which feature whole Dungeness crab on January menus. The garlic-roasted and salt-and-pepper preparations are local favorites. The smell of crab shells and garlic drifts out onto the sidewalk.
January is peak Dungeness crab season, and Clement Street restaurants get some of the freshest supply in the city.Booking tipMost Clement Street spots are walk-in friendly, though weekend dinner at the more popular places can mean a 20-30 minute wait.
Walk Lands End trail on a clear day
outdoorThe Lands End coastal trail runs about 2.5km along the northwestern edge of San Francisco, from the Sutro Baths ruins to Eagle's Point. On a clear January day between storms, you can see the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge, and sometimes the Farallon Islands 48km offshore. The air smells like salt and eucalyptus.
Post-storm clear days in January produce exceptional visibility, and the trail is far less crowded than in summer months.Booking tipThe trail can be muddy after rain. Start from the Sutro Baths parking area off Point Lobos Avenue.
Catch a show at SF Sketchfest
entertainmentSF Sketchfest fills more than a dozen venues across the city with comedy for nearly 3 weeks. The festival books a mix of nationally known headliners, local improv troupes, sketch groups, and podcast recordings. Venues range from the 900-seat Marines' Memorial Theatre to small stages in the Mission.
SF Sketchfest only happens in January, and it's the largest comedy festival in the country.Booking tipHeadliner shows tend to sell out within the first week of ticket sales. Smaller venue shows are easier to get into, often with walk-up availability.
Ferry Building farmer's market
foodThe Saturday morning farmer's market at the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero runs year-round and peaks in visual appeal during citrus season. January stalls are stacked with Meyer lemons, blood oranges, mandarins, and persimmons. The building itself, a 1898 Beaux-Arts structure, houses permanent food vendors inside.
January is peak California citrus season. The market's winter offerings are different from the stone-fruit-heavy summer months.Booking tipArrive before 9am on Saturday for the best selection. The market runs from 8am to 2pm.
Visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park
cultureThe Academy combines a natural history museum, aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest dome under a single living roof in Golden Gate Park. The 4-story rainforest dome is warm and humid inside, a sharp contrast to January's chill. The aquarium's Philippine coral reef exhibit holds over 4,000 fish.
January's rain makes Golden Gate Park's indoor attractions particularly appealing, and lines for the planetarium and exhibits are shorter than in summer.Booking tipThursday evenings the Academy hosts NightLife events for adults, with a bar and DJ. Check the schedule for January dates.
Dim sum in Chinatown
foodSan Francisco's Chinatown, the oldest in North America, has been centered on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street since the 1850s. January dim sum on a rainy morning is a particular pleasure. The steamer baskets arrive hot, the har gow skins are translucent, and the siu mai have that soft pork-and-shrimp texture that's hard to replicate at home.
Cold, wet January mornings are the ideal context for a long, warm dim sum meal. Lunar New Year preparations start appearing in late January, adding festive energy to the neighborhood.Booking tipWeekend dim sum at the larger restaurants on Stockton Street can have long waits by 11am. Arrive by 10am or go on a weekday.
What to eat in January
In season: fruit
Meyer lemons
California's Meyer lemon harvest peaks in January. You'll find them at the Ferry Building farmer's market, bright yellow-orange with thin skins and a fragrance that's somewhere between lemon and mandarin. Restaurants across the city fold them into desserts, cocktails, and seafood dishes all month.
Blood oranges
Central Valley blood oranges hit the farmer's markets in January, with ruby-red flesh that tastes tart and slightly berry-like. The Saturday market at the Ferry Building typically has 3 or 4 vendors carrying them.
On menus now
Cioppino
San Francisco's signature seafood stew has roots in North Beach's Italian fishing community and tastes best in winter. A proper bowl combines Dungeness crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fish in a tomato-wine broth, mopped up with sourdough. January's crab season means the key ingredient is at its freshest.
What to drink
Irish coffee at the Buena Vista
The Buena Vista Cafe near Fisherman's Wharf has been serving Irish coffee since 1952, and a cold January evening is the ideal context for one. The glass is warm in your hands, the cream floats thick on top, and the whiskey cuts through the damp chill. It still draws a crowd at the bar most evenings.
In markets
Dungeness crab
The season runs roughly November through June, but January catches tend to be the fattest and sweetest. Whole cracked crab is everywhere, from the tourist stands at Fisherman's Wharf to the Chinese seafood restaurants along Clement Street in the Richmond. The shells crack with a satisfying snap, and the meat tastes briny and faintly sweet.
Regular events in January
Dine About Town
San Francisco's annual restaurant week, typically held in late January, features prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at dozens of restaurants across the city. Participating spots span neighborhoods from the Mission to Nob Hill.
Late January, approximately 10 daysSan Francisco Ballet season opener
The San Francisco Ballet's season typically opens in January at the War Memorial Opera House in the Civic Center. The company, founded in 1933, is the oldest professional ballet company in America.
Mid-to-late JanuaryNoir City Film Festival
The annual Noir City festival at the historic Castro Theatre screens classic and rare film noir over roughly 10 days. The Castro's 1,400-seat auditorium, built in 1922, is one of the last great movie palaces in the United States.
Mid-to-late JanuaryMartin Luther King Jr. Day eventsFree
The third Monday in January brings MLK Day marches, community service events, and programs at locations across the city. San Francisco has held commemorative events since the holiday was established in 1986.
Third Monday of JanuaryBest places this January
SFMOMA
museumSeven floors of modern and contemporary art in SoMa, with strong photography and painting collections. A rainy January afternoon here is well spent.
SoMaFerry Building Marketplace
food_marketThe 1898 Beaux-Arts building on the Embarcadero houses artisan food vendors, a Saturday farmer's market, and views across the bay to Yerba Buena Island.
EmbarcaderoLands End Trail
natureA 2.5km coastal path from the Sutro Baths ruins to Eagle's Point, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. Best on clear days between January storms.
Outer RichmondChinatown
neighborhoodThe oldest Chinatown in North America, centered on Grant Avenue and Stockton Street. Dim sum restaurants, herbalist shops, and the late-January lead-up to Lunar New Year give it particular energy in January.
ChinatownThe Buena Vista Cafe
barA Fisherman's Wharf institution since 1952, famous for its Irish coffee. On a cold January evening, the warm glass and cream-topped whiskey coffee feel like they were invented for this weather.
Fisherman's WharfGolden Gate Park
parkThe 412-hectare park stretches from the Haight-Ashbury to Ocean Beach. January visitors tend to focus on indoor attractions like the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, though the botanical garden is green and uncrowded.
Western Addition / Inner SunsetHayes Valley
neighborhoodA compact neighborhood near Civic Center with independent boutiques, craft cocktail bars, and some of the city's more creative restaurants. The indoor-focused nature of the area suits January's weather.
Hayes ValleyAlcatraz Island
historic_siteThe former federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay. January is one of the easier months to get tickets, since summer departures sell out months in advance. The audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards runs about 45 minutes.
San Francisco Bay
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Insider tips
The Saturday farmer's market at the Ferry Building runs year-round, but January is peak citrus season. The variety of mandarins, blood oranges, and Meyer lemons in winter is something you won't see in summer. Arrive before 9am for the best selection.
If SF Sketchfest headliner shows are sold out, check the smaller venue listings. The lesser-known stages in the Mission and North Beach often have walk-up availability and sometimes host surprise drop-in sets from big names.
Clement Street in the Richmond is the local alternative to Chinatown for Asian food. The Dungeness crab dishes at the Cantonese restaurants between 2nd and 10th Avenues are likely the best value in the city during January.
The Sutro Baths ruins at Lands End are free to visit and look particularly dramatic after a storm, with waves crashing into the old foundation walls. Go at low tide for the best access to the ruins themselves.
January hotel rates drop significantly, especially midweek. Booking a Tuesday-through-Thursday stay in SoMa or Union Square typically gets the steepest discounts of the year.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing for 'California weather' and arriving with sandals and a light hoodie. January in San Francisco is cold, wet, and windy. Locals wear boots and real jackets.
- Trying to do Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and a day of outdoor sightseeing in a single visit without checking weather forecasts. One storm system can wipe out 2-3 planned outdoor days in a row.
- Skipping Chinatown's Stockton Street for the more touristy Grant Avenue. The produce markets, bakeries, and dim sum restaurants on Stockton are where local Chinese families actually shop and eat.
- Assuming Uber or Lyft is always the best way around. BART runs directly from SFO to downtown in about 30 minutes, and the Muni Metro covers most neighborhoods. In rain, rideshare surge pricing can rise steeply.
- Eating only at Fisherman's Wharf and missing the better seafood value in the Richmond and Sunset districts. The Wharf is fine for atmosphere, but Clement Street and Irving Street have more variety at lower prices.
Practical tips for January
January in San Francisco calls for planning around weather windows. Check the 5-day forecast daily and schedule outdoor activities like Lands End, Muir Woods, and Golden Gate Bridge walks for the clear days between storm systems. Keep museum days, dim sum, and SF Sketchfest shows as your rainy-day plan. BART from SFO reaches downtown in about 30 minutes and avoids freeway traffic entirely. For Alcatraz, book at least 2 weeks ahead on the official site, even in low season. Sunset arrives around 5:15pm, so start outdoor activities by midday. Muni's all-day visitor passport covers buses, Metro, and cable cars. Restaurants in neighborhoods like the Mission, Richmond, and Hayes Valley tend to be less crowded than tourist-area spots and often more interesting. If you're visiting late January, check whether your trip overlaps with Dine About Town restaurant week for prix fixe deals.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit San Francisco?
January is a fair time to visit if you're comfortable with rain and cool temperatures. The trade-offs are real. You'll get the lowest hotel rates of the year, thinner crowds at Alcatraz and other attractions, peak Dungeness crab season, and SF Sketchfest. But you'll also get multi-day rain stretches, 8-14°C temperatures, and sunset before 5:30pm. It works well for museum-heavy, food-focused trips. It's a poor choice if you need reliable outdoor weather.
How much rain does San Francisco get in January?
San Francisco typically receives about 104mm of rain in January, spread across roughly 8 rainy days. The rain tends to arrive in multi-day storm systems rather than brief afternoon showers. You might experience 2-3 consecutive rainy days, then a stretch of clear weather before the next system moves in. Atmospheric rivers can occasionally bring heavier, more sustained rainfall.
What should I wear in San Francisco in January?
Layer up. A water-resistant shell jacket, a warm fleece or wool sweater, waterproof walking shoes, and a compact umbrella are the essentials. The temperature range of 8-14°C feels colder than it sounds because of persistent wind off the bay. A scarf and warm hat help on the waterfront. Bring sunglasses for the bright clear days between storms.
Is Alcatraz open in January?
Alcatraz tours run year-round, weather permitting. January is actually one of the easier months to get tickets since demand drops significantly compared to summer. That said, book at least 2 weeks in advance through the official concessioner site. The ferry ride across the bay can be cold and windy in January, so dress warmly.
What food is in season in San Francisco in January?
January is peak Dungeness crab season, and you'll find it at Fisherman's Wharf, Clement Street restaurants in the Richmond, and most seafood-focused spots citywide. California citrus also peaks in January. The Ferry Building farmer's market carries Meyer lemons, blood oranges, mandarins, and persimmons. Cioppino, the city's signature seafood stew, is at its best when Dungeness crab is freshest.
Things to Do in San Francisco in January
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?